1 00:00:00,417 --> 00:00:02,085 [TV static drones] 2 00:00:02,169 --> 00:00:04,213 [bright tone] 3 00:00:05,589 --> 00:00:08,509 [Leó Delibes's "Flower Duet"] 4 00:00:08,592 --> 00:00:15,599 ♪ ♪ 5 00:00:16,391 --> 00:00:18,143 narrator: Sports. 6 00:00:18,227 --> 00:00:20,771 At their best, they evoke tradition... 7 00:00:20,812 --> 00:00:22,439 - For the 21st time... 8 00:00:22,481 --> 00:00:23,774 narrator: History, 9 00:00:23,857 --> 00:00:26,985 legacies passed down through generations... 10 00:00:27,069 --> 00:00:28,862 - They're off in the Kentucky Derby. 11 00:00:28,946 --> 00:00:31,406 narrator: Pageantry and glamour 12 00:00:31,490 --> 00:00:34,535 and the notion that a single moment of glory 13 00:00:34,618 --> 00:00:37,204 can last a lifetime. 14 00:00:37,287 --> 00:00:39,206 And then-- - Ah! 15 00:00:39,289 --> 00:00:40,457 - Let's go! - Gobble, gobble, gobble. 16 00:00:40,499 --> 00:00:41,917 - Here we go, man. 17 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,461 narrator: Well, there's bowling. 18 00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:47,005 [cheers and applause] 19 00:00:47,089 --> 00:00:50,842 Which embodies all those ideals as well... 20 00:00:50,926 --> 00:00:52,302 - Ooh, ooh, ooh. 21 00:00:52,386 --> 00:00:54,513 Work it, work it. 22 00:00:54,596 --> 00:00:55,681 narrator: In its own way. 23 00:00:55,764 --> 00:00:57,057 - [mumbling] 24 00:00:57,933 --> 00:01:01,144 [Richard Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries"] 25 00:01:01,228 --> 00:01:04,313 ♪ ♪ 26 00:01:04,355 --> 00:01:07,192 narrator: Bowling began in ancient times. 27 00:01:09,194 --> 00:01:14,366 Seriously, Egyptian pharaohs bowled, 28 00:01:14,449 --> 00:01:17,244 as did feudal lords in Britain. 29 00:01:19,162 --> 00:01:21,623 And then it found its way to America. 30 00:01:23,542 --> 00:01:25,335 [upbeat music] 31 00:01:25,419 --> 00:01:28,005 It became a cultural pastime. 32 00:01:28,045 --> 00:01:31,967 - You can learn to bowl and enjoy it, too. 33 00:01:32,009 --> 00:01:34,094 narrator: And its popularity skyrocketed 34 00:01:34,176 --> 00:01:36,513 into the modern media age. 35 00:01:36,555 --> 00:01:38,015 - Let's bowl. 36 00:01:38,098 --> 00:01:40,517 narrator: From Al Bundy to Fred Flintstone, 37 00:01:40,559 --> 00:01:44,938 Big Ern McCracken to Balki, even Nic Cage 38 00:01:45,021 --> 00:01:47,858 in that one movie where he was a family man. 39 00:01:47,941 --> 00:01:50,027 Celebrities and U.S. presidents, 40 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:52,988 Ronald McDonald, and the Dude 41 00:01:53,071 --> 00:01:55,741 all helped make bowling the unofficial sport 42 00:01:55,824 --> 00:01:58,201 of the everyman. 43 00:01:58,243 --> 00:02:00,996 Or woman. 44 00:02:01,079 --> 00:02:02,998 Or Superman, 45 00:02:03,081 --> 00:02:04,791 Wolfman, 46 00:02:04,875 --> 00:02:06,710 even Jesus himself. 47 00:02:06,793 --> 00:02:09,128 - Nobody fucks with the Jesus. 48 00:02:09,211 --> 00:02:11,465 ♪ ♪ 49 00:02:11,548 --> 00:02:14,551 narrator: But it's the game's genuine athletes, 50 00:02:14,635 --> 00:02:18,930 its professionals who truly have the balls 51 00:02:19,014 --> 00:02:22,225 to compete for glory. 52 00:02:22,309 --> 00:02:24,686 - Strike to claim it. And he got it! 53 00:02:24,770 --> 00:02:26,897 - Who do you think you are? I am! 54 00:02:26,980 --> 00:02:29,566 [cheering] 55 00:02:29,608 --> 00:02:30,692 - For the win. 56 00:02:30,776 --> 00:02:32,569 - There's a win for Kyle Troup. 57 00:02:32,611 --> 00:02:34,321 - He's the greatest. - Boom! 58 00:02:34,404 --> 00:02:36,406 - He's the greatest. 59 00:02:36,490 --> 00:02:40,410 ♪ ♪ 60 00:02:40,494 --> 00:02:45,248 - To be a professional bowler is the height of athleticism. 61 00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:48,377 - Can I also get four chocolate chip cookies? 62 00:02:48,460 --> 00:02:49,461 [horn beeps] 63 00:02:49,543 --> 00:02:50,796 [rock music] 64 00:02:50,879 --> 00:02:53,215 narrator: Every year, the very best in the game 65 00:02:53,298 --> 00:02:56,385 come together for a grueling four-month season 66 00:02:56,468 --> 00:02:59,221 to battle each other and a common foe. 67 00:02:59,262 --> 00:03:03,141 - Ten big fat pins just asking for it. 68 00:03:03,225 --> 00:03:08,563 ♪ ♪ 69 00:03:08,647 --> 00:03:13,276 narrator: Only a select few get to live this life, 70 00:03:13,318 --> 00:03:17,948 the glamorous life of a professional bowler. 71 00:03:17,989 --> 00:03:19,241 - Leading the U.S. Open. 72 00:03:19,324 --> 00:03:21,451 Been sleeping on the couch majority of the week. 73 00:03:21,535 --> 00:03:22,661 This was home. 74 00:03:22,744 --> 00:03:24,954 - These boots are so soft. 75 00:03:24,996 --> 00:03:26,623 - This is more than enough room. 76 00:03:26,665 --> 00:03:28,625 - Gotta have the air fryer. That thing's important. 77 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:30,293 - He's got open ketchup packets. 78 00:03:30,335 --> 00:03:32,087 Do you live in your car? - I guess. 79 00:03:32,170 --> 00:03:34,172 narrator: They travel thousands of miles, 80 00:03:34,256 --> 00:03:35,590 paying their own way. 81 00:03:35,674 --> 00:03:37,259 - Fit a couple guys in here. 82 00:03:37,341 --> 00:03:40,554 - Checkout process, dirty dishes in the dishwasher. 83 00:03:43,473 --> 00:03:44,766 - Yeah. 84 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:47,477 narrator: All in the hope of some big checks. 85 00:03:47,561 --> 00:03:49,646 - Yes, there is Dr Pepper available. 86 00:03:49,730 --> 00:03:52,149 narrator: Or at least enough to quit their day jobs... 87 00:03:52,190 --> 00:03:54,817 [beeping] 88 00:03:54,901 --> 00:03:57,612 Which only victory can deliver. 89 00:03:57,696 --> 00:04:00,824 - These guys aren't paid salaries by the PBA. 90 00:04:00,866 --> 00:04:03,201 The PBA only pays prize money. 91 00:04:03,285 --> 00:04:05,996 - This is their livelihood. 92 00:04:06,079 --> 00:04:09,124 This is where they put food on the table for their families 93 00:04:09,207 --> 00:04:10,500 and pay their electric. 94 00:04:10,584 --> 00:04:13,003 - Made some money this week... - Boom! 95 00:04:13,086 --> 00:04:15,630 - And got some W-2s. [laughs] 96 00:04:15,714 --> 00:04:17,507 Too bad the money didn't equal the W-2s. 97 00:04:17,548 --> 00:04:20,343 [classical music] 98 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:23,472 narrator: 5,000 years of bowling evolution 99 00:04:23,555 --> 00:04:25,015 has led to this. 100 00:04:25,056 --> 00:04:26,641 - Let's go! You and me. 101 00:04:26,725 --> 00:04:28,685 - He's going to get fucking punched in the face. 102 00:04:28,727 --> 00:04:30,187 narrator: An unforgettable season... 103 00:04:30,228 --> 00:04:32,981 - God damn it. 104 00:04:33,064 --> 00:04:37,110 narrator: Starring the men who put the "professional" 105 00:04:37,194 --> 00:04:40,155 in professional bowling. 106 00:04:40,238 --> 00:04:42,574 - What if I throw it like that, dick face? 107 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:52,542 [light music] 108 00:04:52,626 --> 00:04:59,674 ♪ ♪ 109 00:05:01,092 --> 00:05:04,554 - Jerry, do you want a beef stick from my sponsor? 110 00:05:04,638 --> 00:05:06,348 Hey, they're good. They're protein. Like-- 111 00:05:06,431 --> 00:05:08,016 - I will not eat a beef stick. - No? 112 00:05:08,099 --> 00:05:09,851 - No. - Ah. 113 00:05:12,771 --> 00:05:14,564 I turned pro when I was 15. 114 00:05:14,648 --> 00:05:16,066 You know, I had my PBA card. 115 00:05:16,107 --> 00:05:18,985 I was a professional bowler, but that by no means meant 116 00:05:19,069 --> 00:05:21,822 I was a profitable professional bowler. 117 00:05:21,905 --> 00:05:25,283 [upbeat music] 118 00:05:25,367 --> 00:05:28,286 My first job at 16 was working at Wendy's. 119 00:05:28,370 --> 00:05:31,581 I managed Wendy's for about seven years. 120 00:05:31,623 --> 00:05:35,710 ♪ ♪ 121 00:05:35,794 --> 00:05:38,421 I won my first title in 2015. 122 00:05:38,463 --> 00:05:39,589 Yes! 123 00:05:39,673 --> 00:05:41,591 Went back to work the following week. 124 00:05:41,675 --> 00:05:43,510 People were like, hey, I seen you on TV. 125 00:05:43,593 --> 00:05:45,095 That's awesome. Like, thank you. 126 00:05:45,178 --> 00:05:46,263 Here's your Frosty. 127 00:05:46,304 --> 00:05:49,349 - ♪ We have the taste, that Wendy's taste ♪ 128 00:05:54,187 --> 00:05:55,438 - Yeah. 129 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:56,773 I mean, you gotta pick the hair out. 130 00:05:56,815 --> 00:05:59,150 This would be the celebration a lot more frantically, 131 00:05:59,234 --> 00:06:01,278 but I'm just making sure my hair is 132 00:06:01,319 --> 00:06:03,947 looking good for the camera. 133 00:06:03,989 --> 00:06:06,157 I guess I'm the Bob Ross of bowling. 134 00:06:06,241 --> 00:06:07,993 - From all of us, happy painting. 135 00:06:10,996 --> 00:06:12,747 - Hello? Oh, yeah. 136 00:06:12,789 --> 00:06:14,916 Sorry, I'm doing a documentary with these guys, 137 00:06:14,958 --> 00:06:18,086 but let me put you on hold. 138 00:06:18,169 --> 00:06:19,796 I just love doing that. [laughs] 139 00:06:19,838 --> 00:06:21,256 That's where I kissed it. 140 00:06:21,339 --> 00:06:23,717 You can kind of see my lip print a little bit. 141 00:06:26,344 --> 00:06:28,430 - Jesus Christ. 142 00:06:28,513 --> 00:06:30,891 Really? [sighs] 143 00:06:33,183 --> 00:06:35,979 - EJ Tackett's got to be number one. 144 00:06:36,021 --> 00:06:37,272 I'm sure I'm not the only bowler 145 00:06:37,355 --> 00:06:39,774 that's tired of seeing him win, but hey, hats off to EJ. 146 00:06:39,858 --> 00:06:41,985 Anthony Simonsen, number two. 147 00:06:42,027 --> 00:06:43,653 I would put myself third. 148 00:06:43,737 --> 00:06:45,113 Fourth, Belmo. 149 00:06:45,155 --> 00:06:47,324 You know, he's been a little lax the last couple years. 150 00:06:47,407 --> 00:06:50,452 But, you know, the man's got the records. 151 00:06:50,534 --> 00:06:53,330 And, you know, that fifth spot is really up for grabs. 152 00:06:53,371 --> 00:06:55,832 Nasty, Mia. 153 00:06:55,916 --> 00:06:57,542 Mama's back to bowling, too. 154 00:06:57,626 --> 00:07:01,379 She bowled yesterday for the first time in eight months. 155 00:07:01,463 --> 00:07:03,506 - It's better if your significant other 156 00:07:03,590 --> 00:07:06,217 is a bowler because you just understand 157 00:07:06,301 --> 00:07:07,844 the support level better. 158 00:07:07,886 --> 00:07:09,638 Be there for them during the downs. 159 00:07:09,721 --> 00:07:11,389 Be there for them during the highs. 160 00:07:13,516 --> 00:07:16,102 - When we're gone away from our families 161 00:07:16,186 --> 00:07:17,354 for two straight months, 162 00:07:17,395 --> 00:07:20,774 that's just when it gets tough. 163 00:07:20,857 --> 00:07:23,526 All right. Ready, girl? - Yeah. 164 00:07:23,568 --> 00:07:27,489 - Aubrey, she's been my life for the last couple years. 165 00:07:27,572 --> 00:07:29,741 She's a ball of joy. 166 00:07:29,824 --> 00:07:32,744 [light music] 167 00:07:32,827 --> 00:07:36,706 ♪ ♪ 168 00:07:36,748 --> 00:07:38,667 Oh, OK. 169 00:07:38,750 --> 00:07:42,337 Look who came to bowl. 170 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:45,006 I grew up in a bowling alley pretty much all my life. 171 00:07:45,090 --> 00:07:49,552 ♪ ♪ 172 00:07:49,636 --> 00:07:52,055 My father had me on the lanes at a very young age. 173 00:07:52,097 --> 00:07:53,056 - What do you think of Dad? 174 00:07:53,098 --> 00:07:54,140 Is he going to win the next match? 175 00:07:54,224 --> 00:07:55,892 - Yeah. 176 00:07:55,933 --> 00:07:58,395 - He started throwing the ball, eight years old. 177 00:07:58,478 --> 00:08:01,272 He'd always pick up my 15-pounder. 178 00:08:01,356 --> 00:08:03,942 But the ball was so heavy, he ended up 179 00:08:04,025 --> 00:08:05,235 putting his other hand on the ball 180 00:08:05,318 --> 00:08:08,530 and learning how to bowl two-handed. 181 00:08:08,613 --> 00:08:10,407 - You know, traveling around with my dad, 182 00:08:10,448 --> 00:08:11,741 he was one of the most popular bowlers 183 00:08:11,825 --> 00:08:13,410 throughout the '80s and '90s. 184 00:08:13,493 --> 00:08:15,412 He was a bowler of the bowlers. 185 00:08:15,453 --> 00:08:17,414 The crowd was his people. 186 00:08:17,497 --> 00:08:21,042 [funky music] 187 00:08:21,126 --> 00:08:23,753 My father, Guppy Troup, is an eight-time titlist, 188 00:08:23,837 --> 00:08:26,381 42 regional titles. 189 00:08:26,464 --> 00:08:30,719 - The main thing on tour I was known for was my pants. 190 00:08:33,388 --> 00:08:35,222 - He had the crazy pants back in the '80s, 191 00:08:35,306 --> 00:08:36,558 and just his character. 192 00:08:36,599 --> 00:08:40,395 - Some people know me because I hammer the competition. 193 00:08:40,437 --> 00:08:42,605 - Bowling was quite different compared to now. 194 00:08:42,688 --> 00:08:43,982 [rock music] 195 00:08:44,065 --> 00:08:46,609 My dad liked to party back in the day. 196 00:08:46,693 --> 00:08:48,820 ♪ ♪ 197 00:08:48,903 --> 00:08:51,448 - I spent as much time in the bar 198 00:08:51,489 --> 00:08:55,493 as I did on the lanes, maybe more. 199 00:08:55,577 --> 00:08:58,246 - He always wanted to entertain fans. 200 00:08:58,329 --> 00:08:59,956 You know, he was very outgoing. 201 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,376 He was a showman of showmans, and I learned a lot from him. 202 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:06,755 Oh! Right there, baby! 203 00:09:09,174 --> 00:09:12,135 [bluesy rock music] 204 00:09:12,177 --> 00:09:19,225 ♪ ♪ 205 00:09:21,811 --> 00:09:23,813 - Hey, Joe. How you doing? 206 00:09:23,897 --> 00:09:25,398 I'm good. 207 00:09:25,482 --> 00:09:27,776 Oh, my gosh, this is the man I need to see. 208 00:09:27,859 --> 00:09:29,110 This was my coach. 209 00:09:29,194 --> 00:09:31,237 - You can kind of tell when someone has the "it factor," 210 00:09:31,321 --> 00:09:32,405 for lack of a better term. 211 00:09:32,489 --> 00:09:33,865 - Aww, you're so kind. 212 00:09:33,948 --> 00:09:35,658 - You could tell that Cam had the it factor. 213 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:37,660 He's been a superstar since he was in high school. 214 00:09:37,744 --> 00:09:39,037 - Can I take a selfie with this? 215 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,663 [laughs] [camera shutter clicks] 216 00:09:40,705 --> 00:09:43,500 [upbeat music] 217 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:46,336 So I did every sport when I was younger. 218 00:09:46,419 --> 00:09:48,838 Bowling really stuck because I was like, whoa. 219 00:09:48,922 --> 00:09:50,340 Like, I'm actually pretty good at this. 220 00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:52,175 Like, let's keep trying it. 221 00:09:52,217 --> 00:09:55,845 Me and my dad, our first-ever tournament we bowled together. 222 00:09:55,887 --> 00:09:57,222 This one's cool. 223 00:09:57,305 --> 00:09:58,848 We won. 224 00:09:58,890 --> 00:10:01,601 Was I nine at the time? Nine or ten at the time. 225 00:10:10,527 --> 00:10:12,612 - We are two of the most competitive people. 226 00:10:12,695 --> 00:10:14,572 We go at it in everything. 227 00:10:19,035 --> 00:10:20,995 But it works for him because he's very charismatic. 228 00:10:21,079 --> 00:10:23,331 - Why is young man--Dad. 229 00:10:29,379 --> 00:10:30,755 [laughs] - OK. 230 00:10:37,470 --> 00:10:40,390 [upbeat music] 231 00:10:40,431 --> 00:10:41,599 ♪ ♪ 232 00:10:41,683 --> 00:10:43,226 I used to practice all the time. 233 00:10:43,268 --> 00:10:44,894 Like, after school, my dad would pick me up, 234 00:10:44,936 --> 00:10:48,064 and he would take me and my sister to go practice. 235 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:50,233 I actually, like, shied away from talking about bowling 236 00:10:50,275 --> 00:10:52,068 a lot when I was in high school, 237 00:10:52,152 --> 00:10:54,362 and people knew that I chose bowling over basketball. 238 00:10:54,445 --> 00:10:56,906 So they were like, why'd you--why'd you do that? 239 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:58,408 Like, that's not cool. 240 00:10:58,449 --> 00:10:59,617 And I just thought the same shit. 241 00:10:59,701 --> 00:11:01,035 I was like, that's not cool at all. 242 00:11:01,119 --> 00:11:02,245 No. 243 00:11:02,328 --> 00:11:04,414 But funny enough, there used to be a bowling alley 244 00:11:04,497 --> 00:11:05,957 five minutes away from my house. 245 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,543 I used to coach there, so I made a deal with them. 246 00:11:08,626 --> 00:11:09,878 Like, they didn't even have to pay me. 247 00:11:09,919 --> 00:11:12,672 I said, just give me free games, and we're good. 248 00:11:12,755 --> 00:11:14,424 So I took advantage of that a lot. 249 00:11:14,465 --> 00:11:15,842 They let me stay in there. 250 00:11:15,925 --> 00:11:17,260 They would give me the key sometimes. 251 00:11:17,343 --> 00:11:18,761 I shouldn't say that, legally. Sorry. 252 00:11:18,845 --> 00:11:21,222 You know what? Cut that out. [laughs] 253 00:11:21,306 --> 00:11:23,933 ♪ ♪ 254 00:11:23,975 --> 00:11:26,060 This is my first PBA season. 255 00:11:26,102 --> 00:11:29,355 Now, I practice for about six hours, five, six hours a day. 256 00:11:29,439 --> 00:11:31,357 Go to the gym for about two or three. 257 00:11:31,441 --> 00:11:34,110 I work really hard, and hard work is paying off. 258 00:11:34,194 --> 00:11:35,737 So I'm like, you're here for a reason. 259 00:11:35,820 --> 00:11:37,238 Like, show them why the fuck you're here. 260 00:11:37,322 --> 00:11:39,073 Like, show them what you're about. 261 00:11:39,157 --> 00:11:40,783 Is it me? Let me burp. 262 00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:41,910 Sorry. 263 00:11:41,993 --> 00:11:43,119 Oh, no, I don't have to burp. 264 00:11:43,161 --> 00:11:44,829 We're good. 265 00:11:44,913 --> 00:11:46,289 ♪ ♪ 266 00:11:46,372 --> 00:11:50,168 First tournament, we'll call it a coming out party. 267 00:11:50,251 --> 00:11:52,795 narrator: The Pro Bowlers Association season 268 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:56,466 stretches four months, from January to April, 269 00:11:56,507 --> 00:11:59,135 and features 19 tournaments, 270 00:11:59,177 --> 00:12:01,471 including five majors that each offer 271 00:12:01,512 --> 00:12:04,849 their winner a $100,000 prize. 272 00:12:04,933 --> 00:12:08,102 [dramatic music] 273 00:12:09,646 --> 00:12:12,774 - Kyle, what are your predictions for the 2025 274 00:12:12,857 --> 00:12:14,484 season for yourself? 275 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:16,819 - We've pretty much got one prediction or one goal, 276 00:12:16,903 --> 00:12:19,322 Player of the Year, you know, coming back for my spot. 277 00:12:19,364 --> 00:12:20,740 Sorry, EJ. 278 00:12:20,823 --> 00:12:22,992 ♪ ♪ 279 00:12:23,076 --> 00:12:26,079 - I come out on the tour to win championships 280 00:12:26,162 --> 00:12:27,830 and win Players of the Year. 281 00:12:27,872 --> 00:12:30,291 That's why I'm here. It's the whole point. 282 00:12:30,375 --> 00:12:33,002 My mindset is, I have to go out, bowl, 283 00:12:33,086 --> 00:12:36,005 and beat the best players in the world. 284 00:12:36,089 --> 00:12:37,757 - Leading up to the season, I was dealing with 285 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:39,342 kind of a back injury, 286 00:12:39,425 --> 00:12:41,344 but I promise I want to win every event. 287 00:12:41,427 --> 00:12:44,305 Major, non-event, 500 bucks, 50,000, 288 00:12:44,389 --> 00:12:45,682 I want to win them all. 289 00:12:45,723 --> 00:12:47,892 ♪ ♪ 290 00:12:47,976 --> 00:12:50,395 - Coming from Australia to the U.S., 291 00:12:50,478 --> 00:12:52,313 like, jet lag is miserable. 292 00:12:52,355 --> 00:12:55,817 I'm exhausted from traveling, but it's never an excuse. 293 00:12:55,900 --> 00:13:00,238 I very, very rarely am worried about someone else winning. 294 00:13:03,157 --> 00:13:05,201 - You know, excited for the tour to start. 295 00:13:05,243 --> 00:13:07,537 But then, you know, get three or four weeks in, 296 00:13:07,578 --> 00:13:10,039 and it's like, oh, God, here we go again, you know. 297 00:13:10,081 --> 00:13:12,208 This is my second home. 298 00:13:12,250 --> 00:13:15,044 I probably drive 30,000 miles a year at least. 299 00:13:15,128 --> 00:13:17,380 A lot of guys drive because we have 300 00:13:17,422 --> 00:13:18,881 a ton of bowling balls, 301 00:13:18,923 --> 00:13:22,552 about 21 in the back of the car right now. 302 00:13:22,593 --> 00:13:24,470 You can't fly with that unless you're paying 303 00:13:24,554 --> 00:13:26,681 $2,000 or $3,000 in baggage fees. 304 00:13:26,764 --> 00:13:28,182 That's just the grind. 305 00:13:28,266 --> 00:13:30,018 The grind is a little different as a pro bowler. 306 00:13:30,101 --> 00:13:32,186 narrator: The first major of the PBA season 307 00:13:32,228 --> 00:13:35,732 is the U.S. Open in Indianapolis, Indiana, 308 00:13:35,773 --> 00:13:38,067 home to David Letterman, the Indy 500, 309 00:13:38,151 --> 00:13:43,281 and, well, this year's Bowling U.S. Open. 310 00:13:43,364 --> 00:13:45,408 - Oh! 311 00:13:45,491 --> 00:13:47,577 - The U.S. Open being the first major, 312 00:13:47,618 --> 00:13:49,412 I only live an hour and a half from Indy now, 313 00:13:49,495 --> 00:13:52,373 so I get to go with my family. 314 00:13:52,457 --> 00:13:53,958 That's a blessing in itself. 315 00:13:54,042 --> 00:13:56,085 That tournament means a lot, especially 316 00:13:56,169 --> 00:13:57,587 winning it the year before. 317 00:13:57,670 --> 00:14:00,590 [dramatic music] 318 00:14:00,673 --> 00:14:02,091 ♪ ♪ 319 00:14:02,175 --> 00:14:05,303 You know, in 2024, the morning of the U.S. Open show, 320 00:14:05,386 --> 00:14:10,099 I felt more peaceful than most finals. 321 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:12,185 Had my family there with me. 322 00:14:13,936 --> 00:14:17,607 Then Aubrey pulled out an Afro wig. 323 00:14:17,648 --> 00:14:20,443 That moment is, you know, what we live for, though, 324 00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:25,740 you know, on TV with the crowd cheering, chanting your name. 325 00:14:25,823 --> 00:14:28,284 The other thing was, that tournament, like, 326 00:14:28,368 --> 00:14:29,577 I've probably missed that cut 327 00:14:29,619 --> 00:14:33,706 six or seven times in a row in my career, 328 00:14:33,790 --> 00:14:38,419 and my father made the final in 1984. 329 00:14:38,503 --> 00:14:40,755 - Guppy Troup must strike on this ball. 330 00:14:40,838 --> 00:14:43,466 [cheering] 331 00:14:43,508 --> 00:14:44,842 all: Oh! 332 00:14:44,926 --> 00:14:48,179 - But he lost by one pin, so, you know, it felt like 333 00:14:48,262 --> 00:14:50,014 a chance at redemption. 334 00:14:50,098 --> 00:14:53,976 ♪ ♪ 335 00:14:54,018 --> 00:14:56,979 [cheers and applause] 336 00:14:57,021 --> 00:15:04,070 ♪ ♪ 337 00:15:11,452 --> 00:15:13,454 We did it. 338 00:15:13,538 --> 00:15:15,331 - We did it. 339 00:15:15,373 --> 00:15:17,667 - I love you. 340 00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:19,252 I love you. 341 00:15:19,335 --> 00:15:26,050 ♪ ♪ 342 00:15:30,888 --> 00:15:35,143 Those emotions, yeah, you can't top that. 343 00:15:35,226 --> 00:15:36,477 [upbeat music] 344 00:15:36,561 --> 00:15:37,854 Now I'm super excited 345 00:15:37,937 --> 00:15:39,939 coming in as defending champion. 346 00:15:40,022 --> 00:15:42,692 I get to see my face on the banner, 347 00:15:42,775 --> 00:15:44,694 so confidence, all-time high. 348 00:15:44,777 --> 00:15:47,196 - Go! Let's go! [cheering] 349 00:15:47,238 --> 00:15:49,323 Six pack! Here we go. 350 00:15:49,407 --> 00:15:51,576 - I have my "go with the 'fro" sign. 351 00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:53,703 I got to finish it one second because it's-- 352 00:15:53,744 --> 00:15:55,037 you can't see with the pencil line. 353 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:58,374 It's going to have a 'fro around the bowling ball. 354 00:15:58,458 --> 00:16:01,252 narrator: More than a hundred of the world's top bowlers 355 00:16:01,335 --> 00:16:03,045 will be vying for the U.S. Open's 356 00:16:03,087 --> 00:16:05,047 coveted Big Eagle trophy... 357 00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:07,592 [eagle cries] - Yeah! 358 00:16:07,675 --> 00:16:12,889 narrator: And that "one size fits the winner" green jacket, 359 00:16:12,972 --> 00:16:16,058 which is not exactly identical 360 00:16:16,142 --> 00:16:18,728 to the Masters green jacket. 361 00:16:18,769 --> 00:16:20,021 Or is it? 362 00:16:20,104 --> 00:16:21,063 [bell dings] 363 00:16:21,105 --> 00:16:22,732 Doesn't matter. 364 00:16:22,773 --> 00:16:27,236 The winner also will take home that big $100,000 payday, 365 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,697 just a hair under what you get for winning 366 00:16:29,780 --> 00:16:31,365 that other green jacket. 367 00:16:34,619 --> 00:16:37,246 But with that newfound fame and fortune, 368 00:16:37,288 --> 00:16:40,040 they can also attract new sponsors, 369 00:16:40,124 --> 00:16:45,087 like bowling ball companies or beef jerky or... 370 00:16:45,129 --> 00:16:46,255 [toilet flushes] 371 00:16:46,297 --> 00:16:48,549 Male-marketed hygienic products. 372 00:16:48,633 --> 00:16:50,927 - How do you wipe? 373 00:16:51,010 --> 00:16:53,095 narrator: All in all, winning this tournament 374 00:16:53,179 --> 00:16:58,601 can truly define a player's career forever. 375 00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:01,646 - The U.S. Open is such a tough test. 376 00:17:01,729 --> 00:17:04,147 - I believe this is probably the toughest tournament 377 00:17:04,232 --> 00:17:06,483 on tour to win. 378 00:17:06,567 --> 00:17:08,778 - It's a lot of games. 379 00:17:08,819 --> 00:17:10,238 There's a lot of frustration that happens. 380 00:17:10,279 --> 00:17:11,280 - Oh, no. 381 00:17:11,364 --> 00:17:14,116 [tepid applause] 382 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,953 - It's hard. 383 00:17:16,993 --> 00:17:20,080 - There are many challenges that you encounter 384 00:17:20,164 --> 00:17:21,624 with the U.S. Open that's different 385 00:17:21,707 --> 00:17:22,791 from any other tournament, 386 00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:25,211 you know, like bowling on four different oil patterns 387 00:17:25,294 --> 00:17:27,922 throughout the event. 388 00:17:28,005 --> 00:17:30,800 narrator: That's right, oil. 389 00:17:30,883 --> 00:17:33,135 - Oil. - Oil, huh? 390 00:17:33,177 --> 00:17:35,930 narrator: That geological mineral that fuels wars 391 00:17:36,013 --> 00:17:38,140 and crashes economies 392 00:17:38,182 --> 00:17:40,643 is pro bowling's secret obstruction. 393 00:17:40,726 --> 00:17:43,646 [funky music] 394 00:17:43,729 --> 00:17:49,652 ♪ ♪ 395 00:17:49,694 --> 00:17:51,821 Each lane in the alley is coated 396 00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:53,489 with streaks of wood oil 397 00:17:53,531 --> 00:17:59,453 laid out in an invisible, elaborate design, 398 00:17:59,537 --> 00:18:02,456 a pattern that challenges the competitors by changing 399 00:18:02,540 --> 00:18:06,794 ever so slightly every time a ball rolls down the lane. 400 00:18:06,877 --> 00:18:11,215 ♪ ♪ 401 00:18:16,721 --> 00:18:19,682 narrator: So though the pins never move, 402 00:18:19,724 --> 00:18:23,102 the path to them does, 403 00:18:23,185 --> 00:18:26,355 constantly augmenting the degree of difficulty 404 00:18:26,439 --> 00:18:29,191 and forever frustrating the bowlers. 405 00:18:29,233 --> 00:18:31,235 [crowd groans] 406 00:18:37,074 --> 00:18:39,035 - Cameron is a big confidence guy, 407 00:18:39,076 --> 00:18:42,705 but if I had to rate him on actual ability to rap, 408 00:18:42,788 --> 00:18:44,290 it's, like, a 2.4 out of 10. 409 00:18:44,373 --> 00:18:45,541 - Out of 3. 410 00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:47,543 - Cameron is just big vibes guy. 411 00:18:47,585 --> 00:18:48,878 He's not actually a good rapper, 412 00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:50,880 but he has a good time. 413 00:18:50,921 --> 00:18:52,840 - I'll spit a 16 for y'all right now. 414 00:18:52,923 --> 00:18:54,216 Give me a beat. 415 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,760 - [beatboxing poorly] 416 00:18:55,843 --> 00:18:57,386 - Let's go. 417 00:18:57,428 --> 00:18:59,347 What? 418 00:18:59,388 --> 00:19:01,891 ♪ I'm in the car, chilling with the crew ♪ 419 00:19:01,932 --> 00:19:04,060 ♪ Me and Keven, Keven Willy-do ♪ 420 00:19:04,143 --> 00:19:05,269 ♪ Uh, uh ♪ [laughs] 421 00:19:05,353 --> 00:19:08,272 - Willy? Willy-do? 422 00:19:08,356 --> 00:19:10,107 - You wasn't rocking with it? 423 00:19:10,191 --> 00:19:11,359 - OK. 424 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,235 - Professional bowling is a crazy job. 425 00:19:13,277 --> 00:19:14,570 I'll tell you that. 426 00:19:14,612 --> 00:19:16,405 There's some events where you stay out there 427 00:19:16,447 --> 00:19:18,407 for three weeks to a month, 428 00:19:18,491 --> 00:19:19,742 and if you don't make any money, 429 00:19:19,825 --> 00:19:20,910 you're not just in a negative. 430 00:19:20,951 --> 00:19:22,203 You're in, like, a big hole 431 00:19:22,286 --> 00:19:23,579 it's going to take a while for you 432 00:19:23,621 --> 00:19:25,915 to recover from, so bet on yourself. 433 00:19:25,998 --> 00:19:27,416 We are at the house-- 434 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:30,419 BandB basically, for the guys, for the geese. 435 00:19:30,461 --> 00:19:32,546 Y'all about to meet all the cats. 436 00:19:32,630 --> 00:19:34,173 You room with a couple of bowlers, 437 00:19:34,256 --> 00:19:35,883 save a little bit of cost. 438 00:19:35,966 --> 00:19:37,760 You got it? 439 00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:39,428 - Yeah, I forgot it already. 440 00:19:39,470 --> 00:19:41,097 - We have my boy, Keven Williams. 441 00:19:41,180 --> 00:19:42,431 He's really easy to get along with, 442 00:19:42,515 --> 00:19:43,933 so I'm rooming with him. 443 00:19:44,016 --> 00:19:45,935 When it comes to the game, he's really intelligent, 444 00:19:45,976 --> 00:19:48,729 so it's good to just have somebody in my corner. 445 00:19:48,813 --> 00:19:50,106 I'm toasty now. 446 00:19:50,189 --> 00:19:51,399 This is comfortable. 447 00:19:51,482 --> 00:19:52,441 Whose blanket is this? 448 00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:54,110 - I'm over you. - [laughs] 449 00:19:54,151 --> 00:19:55,403 - Get out of my Airbnb. 450 00:19:55,486 --> 00:19:56,946 - Whose blanket is this? 451 00:19:57,029 --> 00:20:00,408 Keven, he's also a professional rapper. 452 00:20:00,491 --> 00:20:01,450 [rap music] 453 00:20:01,534 --> 00:20:03,619 - ♪ Paper conversations, I just talk that shit ♪ 454 00:20:03,661 --> 00:20:06,163 ♪ Money making moves, I just walk that shit ♪ 455 00:20:06,247 --> 00:20:07,915 ♪ Loose off the Goose like I pop that fifth ♪ 456 00:20:07,998 --> 00:20:11,794 ♪ You see, I choose what I do, I'm a boss, that's it ♪ 457 00:20:11,836 --> 00:20:13,504 - Whenever guys make telecasts, 458 00:20:13,587 --> 00:20:16,173 they usually ask for, like, two or three songs to play 459 00:20:16,257 --> 00:20:17,341 when they strike or whatever, 460 00:20:17,425 --> 00:20:19,135 to kind of kill some of the dead noise. 461 00:20:19,176 --> 00:20:23,013 And I had, like, 25 guys as, like, strike songs. 462 00:20:23,097 --> 00:20:24,974 I made one with Kyle, 463 00:20:25,015 --> 00:20:27,476 and we did, like, the "Pick It Out" song. 464 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:28,477 - Damn, son. 465 00:20:28,561 --> 00:20:30,646 Where'd you find this? 466 00:20:30,688 --> 00:20:33,315 - I've never heard this before. - You've never seen this? 467 00:20:33,399 --> 00:20:35,276 It's a full music video. 468 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:37,319 ♪ Pick it out, pick it out ♪ 469 00:20:37,403 --> 00:20:39,572 ♪ Pick it out, pick it out ♪ 470 00:20:39,655 --> 00:20:41,991 ♪ Pick it out, he be going ham with the ♪ 471 00:20:42,074 --> 00:20:44,160 Switch it up in the middle. 472 00:20:44,201 --> 00:20:45,786 [both laugh] 473 00:20:45,870 --> 00:20:48,164 Oh, this is going to be crazy. 474 00:20:48,247 --> 00:20:49,915 ♪ He be going ham with the Afro ♪ 475 00:20:49,999 --> 00:20:51,751 ♪ Too much sauce with the outfit ♪ 476 00:20:51,834 --> 00:20:53,377 - Is that ketchup and mustard? - Uh-huh. 477 00:20:55,212 --> 00:20:57,173 - [laughs] 478 00:20:57,256 --> 00:20:59,383 - This is when he started making all the telecasts 479 00:20:59,467 --> 00:21:01,677 and he was getting big and whatever. 480 00:21:01,761 --> 00:21:03,637 And it was fun to do. 481 00:21:03,721 --> 00:21:05,598 ♪ He be going ham with the ♪ 482 00:21:08,267 --> 00:21:09,351 - Yeah. 483 00:21:09,435 --> 00:21:10,853 - There's a faucet right there. - OK. 484 00:21:10,895 --> 00:21:12,313 The fuck you ask for? 485 00:21:12,396 --> 00:21:14,148 [laughs] 486 00:21:16,066 --> 00:21:17,151 Thank you. 487 00:21:17,234 --> 00:21:18,319 Is that Liquid I.V.? 488 00:21:18,402 --> 00:21:19,695 Oh, my God, were you drinking? 489 00:21:19,779 --> 00:21:22,031 - No, dude, I just like to be hydrated. 490 00:21:22,114 --> 00:21:24,200 - Try to get the sponsorship. Lock in. 491 00:21:24,283 --> 00:21:25,659 - BlueChew, hit me up. 492 00:21:25,743 --> 00:21:27,411 - No, not BlueChew. [laughs] 493 00:21:27,495 --> 00:21:30,790 - I actively tell the PBA and Fox 494 00:21:30,873 --> 00:21:33,334 that BlueChew should be a sponsor for the PBA. 495 00:21:33,417 --> 00:21:34,877 - [laughing] 496 00:21:34,919 --> 00:21:36,086 - BlueChew? 497 00:21:37,463 --> 00:21:39,548 I think it would be a hit in the bowling community. 498 00:21:39,590 --> 00:21:41,967 You got to think it's a bunch of, like, old grumpy men 499 00:21:42,051 --> 00:21:44,178 who, you know, might need a little--a little power-up. 500 00:21:44,261 --> 00:21:45,387 - A little help. [laughs] 501 00:21:45,471 --> 00:21:48,516 - A little power-up. You know what I'm saying? 502 00:21:48,599 --> 00:21:50,351 Think hard, be hard. BlueChew. 503 00:21:50,434 --> 00:21:51,352 - BlueChew. [laughs] 504 00:21:51,435 --> 00:21:53,687 [guitar riff] 505 00:21:53,771 --> 00:21:56,190 - I like that. 506 00:21:56,273 --> 00:21:57,608 - What the fuck? 507 00:21:59,318 --> 00:22:00,861 - All right, from hipster to bowler. 508 00:22:00,945 --> 00:22:02,530 The double life. 509 00:22:02,613 --> 00:22:05,533 From a cool guy in a cropped shirt to a... 510 00:22:09,453 --> 00:22:12,122 [rock music] 511 00:22:12,206 --> 00:22:13,874 [cheers and applause] 512 00:22:13,958 --> 00:22:15,751 - Go, Drew! 513 00:22:15,793 --> 00:22:17,294 narrator: Day three of the Open 514 00:22:17,378 --> 00:22:19,380 determines who makes the cut. 515 00:22:19,421 --> 00:22:22,049 Every pin knocked down over the past three days 516 00:22:22,132 --> 00:22:26,178 is added up, and only the top 24 move on. 517 00:22:28,138 --> 00:22:29,139 - It's me versus the pins. 518 00:22:29,223 --> 00:22:31,934 That's the way you always got to think. 519 00:22:32,017 --> 00:22:33,394 Yes! 520 00:22:37,690 --> 00:22:39,024 All right, all right. I'm starting to strike. 521 00:22:39,108 --> 00:22:40,901 I'm starting to pop it. Like, I'm talking shit. 522 00:22:40,985 --> 00:22:43,779 [laughs] 523 00:22:43,821 --> 00:22:46,323 Now I'm in my sweet spot. Everything felt right. 524 00:22:53,038 --> 00:22:55,457 - Somebody's excited. - Oh, man. 525 00:22:55,499 --> 00:22:57,918 Literally, when I tell you, blocking my life, 526 00:22:58,002 --> 00:22:59,128 I'm blocking my life. 527 00:22:59,211 --> 00:23:00,296 - You know, let's look-- 528 00:23:00,379 --> 00:23:01,630 you're going to make this cut, OK? 529 00:23:01,714 --> 00:23:04,008 I know you said knock on wood, but you got enough score. 530 00:23:04,091 --> 00:23:06,135 You got enough wood. You can breathe easy. 531 00:23:06,218 --> 00:23:07,636 You made this cut. 532 00:23:07,678 --> 00:23:09,471 - I'm at a loss of words right now. 533 00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:11,849 At the beginning of today, I started in 45th, 534 00:23:11,932 --> 00:23:16,312 and by the end of today, I'm in the top 10. 535 00:23:16,353 --> 00:23:17,438 We got more work to do. 536 00:23:17,479 --> 00:23:19,773 So we're gonna celebrate this for the next 20 minutes 537 00:23:19,857 --> 00:23:21,817 and back to work tomorrow. 538 00:23:21,901 --> 00:23:23,193 - Great bowling. - Thank you, sir. 539 00:23:23,277 --> 00:23:24,445 Appreciate it. - Nice job, brother. 540 00:23:24,528 --> 00:23:26,363 - Thank you, guys. 541 00:23:26,447 --> 00:23:28,866 Bye, guys. - Cam Crowe, everybody. 542 00:23:28,949 --> 00:23:30,200 - We still got our name in that hat 543 00:23:30,284 --> 00:23:32,703 for that green jacket, which is what we're going for. 544 00:23:32,786 --> 00:23:35,289 narrator: Even though the day's bowling isn't finished, 545 00:23:35,372 --> 00:23:38,751 Cam already qualified in the round of 24. 546 00:23:40,377 --> 00:23:41,837 narrator: Meanwhile, Kyle Troup, 547 00:23:41,921 --> 00:23:43,172 the reigning champ, 548 00:23:43,213 --> 00:23:46,050 needs a solid final game to make the cut. 549 00:23:48,052 --> 00:23:50,679 ♪ ♪ 550 00:23:50,763 --> 00:23:53,098 [cheering] - Yes! 551 00:23:53,182 --> 00:23:55,351 - Come on, baby. 552 00:23:55,434 --> 00:23:58,354 - Hit a couple rough games early. 553 00:23:58,395 --> 00:24:02,191 It was mentally a roller coaster. 554 00:24:02,274 --> 00:24:03,609 [crowd groans] 555 00:24:06,278 --> 00:24:08,989 [cheering] - Yes! 556 00:24:09,073 --> 00:24:11,200 narrator: The ability to perform under pressure 557 00:24:11,241 --> 00:24:13,410 is essential for any bowler. 558 00:24:13,494 --> 00:24:18,040 Kyle has his own strategy for staying locked in. 559 00:24:18,082 --> 00:24:19,917 - I do love some Sudoku. 560 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,251 That was the trick. 561 00:24:21,335 --> 00:24:24,546 My mental game was calm and relaxed. 562 00:24:24,630 --> 00:24:26,715 - So when he doesn't use his phone, 563 00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:28,842 doesn't worry about who's bowling around him 564 00:24:28,884 --> 00:24:31,553 and what they're bowling, he does fine. 565 00:24:31,637 --> 00:24:33,722 - I was comfortable, I knew how the oil patterns 566 00:24:33,806 --> 00:24:36,809 on the lanes were transitioning. 567 00:24:36,892 --> 00:24:39,019 - Good shot. 568 00:24:39,061 --> 00:24:44,900 - Go to the last game, I knew it was going to be close. 569 00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:46,151 - Yes! 570 00:24:46,235 --> 00:24:52,533 ♪ ♪ 571 00:24:52,616 --> 00:24:55,035 [applause] 572 00:24:58,747 --> 00:25:00,207 [pins clatter] [cheers and applause] 573 00:25:00,290 --> 00:25:02,084 - I noticed there was a lot of cheering 574 00:25:02,167 --> 00:25:03,252 going on somewhere else. 575 00:25:03,293 --> 00:25:05,295 Somebody else is making a run. 576 00:25:06,755 --> 00:25:09,049 [applause] - Nice job. 577 00:25:09,133 --> 00:25:11,427 - I can't help but know the math. 578 00:25:11,510 --> 00:25:14,430 [somber music] 579 00:25:14,513 --> 00:25:18,976 ♪ ♪ 580 00:25:19,059 --> 00:25:20,436 - So? 581 00:25:20,477 --> 00:25:22,438 - Going home tomorrow, girl. 582 00:25:22,521 --> 00:25:26,066 ♪ ♪ 583 00:25:26,150 --> 00:25:29,278 I missed the cut by two pins. 584 00:25:29,361 --> 00:25:33,157 Just lack of focus early, lack of being calm. 585 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:39,413 ♪ ♪ 586 00:25:39,496 --> 00:25:42,207 Probably could have got two pins somewhere. 587 00:25:42,291 --> 00:25:45,127 ♪ ♪ 588 00:25:45,210 --> 00:25:47,921 You can always find two pins just about anywhere 589 00:25:48,005 --> 00:25:49,798 after 24 games. 590 00:25:49,882 --> 00:25:56,889 ♪ ♪ 591 00:26:10,319 --> 00:26:17,326 ♪ ♪ 592 00:26:41,391 --> 00:26:42,810 narrator: Before you get worried 593 00:26:42,851 --> 00:26:47,648 you won't see Kyle again this season, relax. 594 00:26:47,689 --> 00:26:51,527 Remember, there are four more major events on the season. 595 00:26:51,568 --> 00:26:52,778 both: Oh! 596 00:26:52,861 --> 00:26:55,280 narrator: Events that will push all of them to the limit. 597 00:26:56,698 --> 00:26:58,534 - Damn it. - Oh, come on, man. 598 00:26:58,575 --> 00:27:01,537 - I'm burning this building to the ground. 599 00:27:01,620 --> 00:27:02,996 - Fuck you. - Fuck! 600 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:04,706 - Shove your camera up your ass. 601 00:27:04,790 --> 00:27:06,875 narrator: But as far as the U.S. Open goes, 602 00:27:06,959 --> 00:27:09,837 the final round is set to be an all-out... 603 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:11,296 - I don't trust him one fucking bit. 604 00:27:11,380 --> 00:27:15,551 narrator: Pin-knocking war for the big check. 605 00:27:15,592 --> 00:27:18,554 [rock music] 606 00:27:18,595 --> 00:27:25,644 ♪ ♪ 607 00:27:55,674 --> 00:27:57,801 [bright tone]