Eight-time PBA Tour champion Jakob Butturff died unexpectedly on Friday, July 31, at age 32, the Professional Bowlers Association announced.
The PBA did not disclose a cause of death. Commissioner Tom Clark described Butturff as “one of the most unique players in PBA history.”
Butturff joined the PBA in 2015 and won eight Tour titles. His only major came at the 2019 USBC Masters in Las Vegas.
The left-hander defeated Mykel Holliman 228–196 in the championship match, according to the United States Bowling Congress.
Butturff broke out in 2016 by winning his first two Tour titles. He also claimed a record nine regional titles that season.
His career total reached 27 PBA Regional Tour titles. He earned Northwest Region Player of the Year honours from 2016 through 2018.
😥Today, we here at Inside Bowling mourn the passing of Jakob Butturff whose grace and perseverance inspired all of us. He was a dominant force on the PBA Tour winning 8 titles including one major, the USBC Masters in 2019. May Jakob's spirit live through all those who loved him. pic.twitter.com/oADa4zJ4tx
— InsideBowling (@InsideBowling) August 1, 2026Butturff finished second in the 2019 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year voting. That season included three titles and a runner-up finish in the World Championship.
He represented Team USA seven times and won the 2017 QubicaAMF World Cup. He also bowled a televised perfect game during the 2020 PBA Tour Finals.
Read: Kaylee Hottle Dies at 18 After Maryland Car Crash
Fellow champion EJ Tackett called the death “soul-crushing” and praised Butturff’s generosity. Jason Belmonte said the PBA had lost one of its kindest competitors.
