Barnes advances at 2007 Tournament of Champions

Mar 30, 2007 - 10:29 PM WINDSOR LOCKS, Connecticut (Ticker) -- A week after coming up just short of one of his biggest career goals, Chris Barnes is back on the horse.

The defending champion won both his matches Friday to advance to the round of eight in the 2007 Tournament of Champions, the final event and fourth major of the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Barnes overcame a three-games-to-none deficit to defeat Rick Lawrence, 4-3, in the round of 32 Friday morning. He followed that triumph with a 4-2 victory over former Tournament of Champions winner Patrick Healey Jr. in the round of 16.

Last week, Barnes finished second to Doug Kent in the World Championship in his quest to become the fifth bowler to win the PBA's Triple Crown - the U.S. Open, Tournament of Champions and World Championship. Barnes won the second of three legs in last year's Tournament of Champions.

Also on Barnes' mind is the 2006-07 Player of the Year race, which is up for grabs here. He owns one title this season, the GEICO Classic, and finished third in the PBA World Point Rankings.

On Friday, Barnes dug himself a hole against Lawrence, who averaged 245.33 over the first three games. Barnes stormed back, however, salvaging the match with a 228-190 win in game four. He continued to improve over the final three games to overcome Lawrence, wrapping up the match with a 256-173 win in game seven.

"This is always a special tournament, since the most recent winners on Tour are here and the hottest players in the world are competing, so there are no easy draws in this one," Barnes said. "Rick took me to task and I survived, and Patrick is a past champion, so he's always tough. Everything changes tomorrow, though. You have to be able to make adjustments."

Barnes will take on Mike Wolfe in Saturday's round of eight, which moves to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. Wolfe posted the only sweep in the round of 16, knocking off Patrick Allen, who had blanked Wes Malott in the round of 32. Malott also is in the running for Player of the Year honor with one title and the top spot in the PBA World Point Rankings.

Also advancing was Hall of Famer and all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr., who defeated Ritchie Allen, 4-1. Williams is looking to join Mike Aulby as the only bowlers in PBA history to complete the "Super Slam" - a win in all five of the Tour majors, including the defunct Touring Players Championship.

Saturday's round of eight features two sessions, with the first two matches beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. The second pair of matches take place at 7 p.m.

The final four advance to Sunday's finals, which will be televised live on ESPN at 1 p.m. EDT. The winner will take home $60,000 and a two-season exemption through the 2008-09 season.