Top 20 PBA Bowler's 2023: #14 - Bill O'Neill

Bill O’Neill celebrating a shot. Photo Credit: PBA Tour

There are two things that Bill O’Neill is striving to see in 2023: a successful season on the PBA Tour, and a deep playoff run for the Philadelphia 76ers.

For some that follow O’Neill, they might just think he is simply a cynical sports fan, obsessed with his Phillies, Eagles, and 76ers. However, as veteran bowling fans know, O’Neill is one of the greatest bowlers of our generation.

Bill O’Neill has been called the “Real Deal” by his fellow tour-mates, and his track record has proven that he is worthy of this title. In amongst his trophy case sits 13 titles, two of which being majors. He also won the Rookie of the Year in 2006, and has amassed well over a million dollars in earnings.

O’Neill’s last two seasons did not go the way he necessarily expected them to. In fact, they were two of his weaker seasons on tour, a trend he hopes to not continue. O’Neill had two television appearances in the 2022 season, one at the beginning of the season and one at the end. 

Bill O’Neill opened his year by falling victim to underdog Patrick Dombrowski in the East regional stepladder at the PBA Players’ Championship. His final singles event, the season-ending PBA Playoffs, saw him miraculously defeat his best friend, first seed and odds on favourite to win in Jason Belmonte. Following this underdog victory, he faced reigning tournament champion (and eventual repeat winner) Kyle Troup, only to be swept in the two game set.

2019 and 2020 were two of the best years of O’Neill’s illustrious career, each bringing him two titles. The 2020 season in particular stood out as a landmark year for him, as O’Neill won his first major in a decade at the Players’ Championship and took home the $100,000 dollars of the PBA Playoffs. The PBA Playoffs win was a particularly satisfying moment for O’Neill, as he previously lost to Kris Prather in the event’s inaugural year.

Something that makes Bill O’Neill such a great bowler to watch is his near flawless form. There are few players on the tour that are able to combine a perfect traditional form with decent power and hook quite like Bill O’Neill does. The best athletes are the ones who make something incredibly difficult look easy, and for Bill O’Neill, posting games above 250 is just part of the daily routine.

A highlight for bowling fans every year is watching his partnership with Jason Belmonte  at the Roth/Holman Doubles tournament. Seeing two titans of the modern era teaming up, especially with one being such a traditionalist and the other being the face of a new wave of bowlers, really is a spectacle. The contrast between their very different forms is fascinating, especially when you take into account the amount of success they both have had on tour.

The duo of Bill O’Neill/Jason Belmonte won the doubles event in 2018, beating the Tang brothers in the final match. Knowing the two incredibly successful bowlers, just one win at this event is not enough for them. In 2022, they finished eighth, a mark neither is likely proud of. With Bill O’Neill poised to bounce back after a slump and Belmonte motivated to continue his GOAT case, we could see some fireworks at this year’s event.

The 2023 season comes with a lot of questions for Bill O’Neill. Will he be able to return to the winners’ circle? Will he continue to bolster his Hall of Fame case? We know he is eager to compete and be among the best again, and soon, we will get to see that drive back on the lanes.

2022 Stats:

Titles: 0 (13 career)

Highest Finish: 6th (David Small’s Best of the Best Championship)

Tour Points: 11,625

Earnings: $58,775

Average: 216.72