Back injury forces Barnes to drop out of USBC Masters
WAUWATOSA, Wis. - In his professional career, Chris Barnes of Flower Mound, Texas, has never withdrawn from an event after taking to the lanes. On Wednesday, he made the tough decision to end his run in the United States Bowling Congress Masters.
Barnes, a six-time winner on the Denny's PBA Tour and the spokesperson for USBC Sport Bowling, came into the week with a back injury and as the tournament progressed it slowly got to the point where he could no longer compete.
"I don't really know exactly how it started," Barnes said. "I had some pain when I got here Sunday. I practiced three times that day to try and work it out. I went and worked out, did my exercises and normally that makes it go away."
When the pain didn't go away, Barnes tried to continue but games of 233 and 164 Wednesday he decided to call it quits. He started the day in 234th place at 987.
"It's disappointing because I take great pride in my record in the Masters," he said. "I don't think there's ever a good time for this to happen, but I certainly wouldn't want it to happen this week. But I take solace in the fact that my wife is kicking butt halfway around the world. I'll ride the wave that she's created."
Barnes, whose wife Lynda currently leads the QubicaAMF World Cup in Ljubljana, Slovenia, will take some time to evaluate his injury and determine the next course of action.
"If there's a silver lining, it's that this tournament starts early, and I can get the problem located and worked out so next week things are OK," Barnes said. "I've never had any back issues, so I'm not sure how it will work."
The USBC Masters is the sport's most prestigious event, drawing nearly 500 of the world's best professional and amateur bowlers who are competing for an estimated prize fund of $350,000.
The Masters finals will be televised live on ESPN Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern (noon Central). Match play rounds will be conducted Nov. 17-18 and pro-ams will take place Nov. 19.
To purchase tickets to the finals of the USBC Masters at the U.S. Cellular Arena, visit ticketmaster.com or call (414) 276-4545.
By Lucas Wiseman USBC Communications
Barnes, a six-time winner on the Denny's PBA Tour and the spokesperson for USBC Sport Bowling, came into the week with a back injury and as the tournament progressed it slowly got to the point where he could no longer compete.
"I don't really know exactly how it started," Barnes said. "I had some pain when I got here Sunday. I practiced three times that day to try and work it out. I went and worked out, did my exercises and normally that makes it go away."
When the pain didn't go away, Barnes tried to continue but games of 233 and 164 Wednesday he decided to call it quits. He started the day in 234th place at 987.
"It's disappointing because I take great pride in my record in the Masters," he said. "I don't think there's ever a good time for this to happen, but I certainly wouldn't want it to happen this week. But I take solace in the fact that my wife is kicking butt halfway around the world. I'll ride the wave that she's created."
Barnes, whose wife Lynda currently leads the QubicaAMF World Cup in Ljubljana, Slovenia, will take some time to evaluate his injury and determine the next course of action.
"If there's a silver lining, it's that this tournament starts early, and I can get the problem located and worked out so next week things are OK," Barnes said. "I've never had any back issues, so I'm not sure how it will work."
The USBC Masters is the sport's most prestigious event, drawing nearly 500 of the world's best professional and amateur bowlers who are competing for an estimated prize fund of $350,000.
The Masters finals will be televised live on ESPN Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern (noon Central). Match play rounds will be conducted Nov. 17-18 and pro-ams will take place Nov. 19.
To purchase tickets to the finals of the USBC Masters at the U.S. Cellular Arena, visit ticketmaster.com or call (414) 276-4545.
By Lucas Wiseman USBC Communications