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$125,000 GREATER LOS ANGELES OPEN
Gable House Bowl, Torrance, Calif., Jan 26-31, 1987
Karlsson, McCordic Love L.A.
Southern California has proven to be friendly confines for Mats Karlsson, Gothenburg, Sweden, who won his second PBA title in as many visits to the sunny area by capturing the $125,000 Greater Los Angeles Open, 235-181, against Ricky Corona. But the results at host center Gable House Bowl proved even more financially fruitful for Houston's Pete McCordic, who notched the first perfect game on national television (ABC Sports) since 1974 and collected the $100,000 True Value bonus for the effort.
McCordic began the championship finals with his 12-bagger in downing Wayne Webb, 300-249, much to the delight of an enthusiastic Gable House audience. Then, obviously physically and emotionally drained from his perfect game effort, McCordic bowed to Karlsson in the next game, 234-206.
Karlsson had earned his first PBA title on the 1986 Summer Tour at nearby Riverside in the Southern California Open, becoming the first foreign-resident PBA champ. He continued his charge in the semifinal game against John Gant, the PBA Tour's average leader in '86, defeating the lefthander, 235-226.
Enter Corona, the tournament leader and local favorite from Diamond Bar, Calif., and the PBA Western Region's 1985 Rookie and Player of the Year. Corona fell behind early and Karlsson closed with three strikes and a spare to coast in the winner.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 Mats Karlsson, Gothenburg, Sweden 704 (3 games) $18,000
2 Ricky Corona, Diamond Bar, Calif. 181 (1 game) 9,500
3 John Gant, Independence, Ky. 226 (1 game) 7,000
4 Pete McCordic, Houston 506 (2 games) 5,500
5 Wayne Webb, Indianapolis, Ind. 249 (1 game) 4,500
PLAYOFF RESULTS - McCordic defeated Webb, 300-249; Karlsson defeated McCordic, 234-206; Karlsson defeated Gant, 235-226; and in the championship game, Karlsson defeated Corona, 235-181.