Walter Ray Williams Jr. earned his 34th title in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl Sunday evening and tied Mark Roth for second on the all-time win list.

"I'm amazed. It feels great to accomplish this feat," said Williams. "I still don't consider what I have accomplished comparable to Roth's achievements but I guess it's pretty good." Ironically, it was Williams that Roth beat for his 34th title. Williams, who earned $40,000 for the win, now needs seven more titles to tie for No. 1 with Earl Anthony on the all time list.

"It is almost comparing apples with oranges," said Williams. "Anthony did that in 14 years and I've already been out here 19 years." "But I guess when you look at the stats, Anthony won his 34th title when he was 43, a year older than me, and he was player of the year three times when he was in his 40s so I guess it is a possibility."

In a battle of the experienced player versus the new, Williams defeated rookie Mike Machuga, 247-194, in the title match. Williams, of Ocala, Fla., who was looking for his first win in four consecutive telecasts, started the match with four strikes. Machuga, of Erie, Pa., opened the game with two matches and a single-pin spare (10-pin), which he converted. After another strike in the fourth frame, Machuga suffered two bad shots, resulting in two splits (2-8-10 in fifth frame; 3-6-7-9-10 in sixth frame). The 25-year-old left an open in the fifth and picked up the second split, but not without giving Williams a huge advantage.

"I was bowling well in the game and felt comfortable throughout the match," Williams said. "Although it's never over until it's over, when he left those two splits it pretty much sealed it for me."

Machuga, who took home $20,000, finished the match first with a mix of strikes and converted spares for a 194. Williams, working on two converted single-pin spares in the fifth and sixth frames, struck in the seventh and eighth frames. He then secured the win with by picking up the 10-pin he left in the ninth frame. The PBA Hall of Famer struck out before celebrating his victory. "I definitely exceeded my expectations this week," Machuga said. "I couldn't believe I was bowling in the title match. At least I can say I got beat by the best."

Williams advanced to the title match by besting Doug Kent, 289-213, in the semifinalmatch No. 2. He was two strikes shy of rolling the 15th perfect game in PBA history. A 10-pin on his 12th ball ruined his chance. Kent, of Newark, N.Y., earned $10,000 for tying for third. Machuga, who just joined the PBA three months ago, advanced to the title match by winning over Rick Steelsmith, 205-203, in the semifinal match No. 1. Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., who was making his first championship round appearance of the year, received a $10,000 check for tying for third.

In the wild card match, Kent defeated Tim Criss, 216-194. Criss, of Bel Air, Md., pocketed $9,000 for the fifth-place finish.

The PBA Tour heads to New York for the PBA Long Island Open. ESPN will air the finals live on Sunday, November 18, from 1–2:30 p.m. (ET).

PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic Championship Round Results

SUPER BOWL, ERLANGER, KY, Sunday, November 11, 2001

Pos., Name/City & State, Games/Total, Money

1. Walter Ray, Williams Jr. Ocala, Fla., 536 (2 games), $40,000

2. Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa. 399, (2 games), $20,000

3. Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 429 (2 games), $10,000

Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 203 (1 game), $10,000

5. Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 194 (1 game), $ 9,000

PLAYOFF RESULTS - In the wild card match, Kent def. Criss, 216-194; in the first semifinal match, Machuga def. Steelsmith, 205-203; in the second semifinal match, Williams def. Kent, 289-213; and in the championship match, Williams def. Machuga, 247-194.