Pro Bowler Jakob Butturff Dies at Age 32, Eight-Time PBA Tour Champion Won USBC Masters in 2019

Eight-time Professional Bowlers Association champion Jakob Butturff died Friday at age 32.

The PBA said in a statement Butturff "died unexpectedly."

"Jakob was one of the most unique players in PBA history," PBA commissioner Tom Clark said in a statement. "Fans marveled at his delivery, as he rode a wave of strikes into becoming a top player in the sport, capable of winning at any time, in any event."

Butturff won his eight PBA Tour titles between 2016 and 2023, including a major title at the 2019 USBC Masters.

He claimed 27 titles on the PBA Regional Tour and was named Northwest Region Player of the Year three times between 2016 and 2018.

He bowled a 300 during the 2020 PBA Tour Finals to become the 28th player in history to achieve the feat during a televised event.

Butturff also represented Team USA seven times between 2017 and 2023, including a gold medal run at the 2022 IBF World Cup.

Multiple PBA Tour members shared messages in Butturff's honor following the news of his death.

"Butters I don't even have the words right now, but just know you will be missed, loved, and always remembered," AJ Johnson wrote on Instagram.

"The PBA has lost one of its kindest," Jason Belmonte posted on his Instagram story.

EJ Tackett shared a photo of himself and Butturff hugging after Butturff defeated him in the PBA Scorpion Championship in 2023 with the caption, "I was bestowed as the last first person to give congratulations to butters winning a PBA Tour title. An honor I will carry with me forever!!"

Butturff made his PBA Tour debut in 2015. He competed in 214 events over his 10 years with the organization.