The PWBA season kicks off in Rockford with the Bowlers Journal Rockford Open from April 30 to May 2, featuring 65 elite women bowlers from over 10 countries. Local athletes Kayla Sommer, Rebecca Hagerman, and Kayla Verstraete will compete among the top-ranked pros.
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The world’s top women bowlers are set to compete in Rockford, with several local athletes among the contenders.
The Cherry Bowl will host the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open from April 30 to May 2, marking the opening event of the 2026 Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour, according to a community announcement.
The event will feature 65 of the top-ranked pros from more than 10 countries. The field includes seven bowlers from Illinois, three of whom are from the Rockford area: Kayla Sommer of Rockford, and Rebecca Hagerman and Kayla Verstraete, both of Loves Park. Four others from the Chicagoland area will also compete.
Malaysia’s Sin Li Jane, who won the last PWBA event at The Cherry Bowl in 2024 and earned PWBA Player of the Year honors, will return to compete. The 2026 season will feature 12 events across the country, with Singapore’s New Hui Fen as the reigning PWBA Player of the Year and Malaysia’s Gillian Lim as the 2025 Rookie of the Year, according to the announcement.
Qualifying rounds are scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., followed by the cashers round Saturday at 9 a.m. The stepladder finals will be broadcast live on BowlTV at 6:30 p.m. The 2026 PWBA season will return to CBS Sports Network, with a $60,000 top prize at the USBC Queens major in mid-May.
This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: International women’s bowling stars return to Rockford April 30–May 2
The PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open is scheduled from April 30 to May 2, 2026.
Local bowlers competing include Kayla Sommer from Rockford, and Rebecca Hagerman and Kayla Verstraete from Loves Park.
The event will feature 65 top-ranked bowlers from more than 10 countries.
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