Star bowler Jakob Butturff died unexpectedly on Friday at the age of 32, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) announced. A cause of death has not been revealed.
Butturff was a decorated figure in the sport, having won eight PBA Tour championships, 27 PBA Regional Tour titles, and his sole major at the 2019 USBC Masters. He also earned three consecutive Northwest Region Player of the Year honors from 2016 to 2018 and finished as the runner-up in PBA Player of the Year voting in 2019. His most successful season was in 2016, when he secured his first two PBA championships and a record nine titles on the PBA Regional Tour.
Internationally, Butturff competed seven times for Team USA, winning gold medals in 2017, 2019, and 2021. He also achieved a rare feat by rolling the PBA's 28th televised "300" game during the 2020 PBA Tour Finals.
PBA Commissioner Tom Clark described Butturff as "one of the most unique players in PBA history," noting that fans admired his delivery and his ability to consistently compete at a high level. Clark added that Butturff was "kind, he was respectful, and he was a champion."
Fellow bowler EJ Tackett expressed his grief on social media, calling the loss "soul crushing" and emphasizing Butturff's generosity. "The bowling world lost today and it will never be the same," Tackett posted.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Butturff also lived in Phoenix and Binghamton, New York, according to the PBA. His last social media post, on March 28, reflected on a recent performance and expressed gratitude to his sponsors and supporters.