Mike Fagan
| Mike Fagan | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Michael Fagan November 4, 1980 Westbury, New York |
| Other names | King of Swing |
| Occupation | Ten-pin bowler |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Maier |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's bowling | ||
Competitor for  United States
| ||
| World Games | ||
| Gold | 2013 Cali | Mixed doubles |
Michael Fagan (born November 4, 1980 in Westbury, New York) is an American professional bowler and an exempt bowler on the PBA Tour. Known for his high backswing, he is sometimes known as the "King of Swing". He has a high RPM rate, but also has a smooth release, so his style can be classified as either a cranker or a power stroker.
Fagan owns five PBA Tour titles, including two majors. He won the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic in 2008 with Danny Wiseman, and captured his first singles title at the 2010 One-a-Day Dick Weber Open. His doubles win came in his 108th career event. He beat all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr. at the Dick Weber Open for his singles title. His next victory came at the 2012 Brunswick Euro Challenge, a World Bowling Tour event, where he was credited with a PBA Title.
In his first TV finals appearance, Fagan lost to Chris Barnes in the semifinals of the 2003 Empire State Open in Latham, New York, 247-195. But in 2012, he got his revenge on Barnes, overcoming a 30-pin deficit after five frames to win his first major championship in the USBC Masters.[1] Fagan narrowly missed winning a second consecutive major in that season's U.S. Open, when Pete Weber rolled a strike on his final ball of the tenth frame to defeat Fagan, 215-214.[2]
Fagan won his fifth career title and second major at the PBA World Championship on January 11, 2015. Mike defeated Wes Malott in the final match, 252-212.[3]
Other career highlights:
- Prior to 2012, Fagan's best finish at a major was third place at the 2006 U.S. Open. He defeated 2000 U.S. Open champion Robert Smith, 216-214, in the first match of the finals (his first career match win on TV) before losing to Tommy Jones.
- Had a career-high four perfect 300 games during the 2007-08 season, tied for second on Tour. Through the 2014 season, he has racked up 16 perfect games in PBA events.
- His career PBA Tour earnings are over $825,000 (through 2014). He also owns two PBA Regional titles.[4]
- Was the victim of Liz Johnson in the finals of the 2005 East Region Kingpin Lanes tournament, the first PBA tournament ever won by a female bowler.
- Lost to Jack Jurek in a sudden death rolloff in the 2009 Shark Championship, giving Jurek his first title in 14 years.
- Has won five European Bowling Tour (EBT) titles as of April 30, 2012.[5]
Personal
Originally from Patchogue, New York, Mike now resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Emily, whom he married in 2013.
References
- ↑ Vint, Bill. "Mike Fagan Tops Chris Barnes to Win First Major Title in Alka Seltzer Plus Liquid Gels USBC Masters." Article at www.pba.com on January 29, 2012.
- ↑ Vint, Bill. "Pete Weber Wins Record Fifth U.S. Open to Surpass Father Dick Weber and Don Carter." Article at www.pba.com on February 26, 2012.
- ↑ Schneider, Jerry (January 11, 2015). "Mike Fagan Wins PBA World Championship for Fifth Tour Title and Second Major". PBA.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ↑ PBA Tour Bowlers bio at www.pba.com
- ↑ "Mike Fagan wins his fifth career EBT title in 3rd Track Dream-Bowl Palace Open." Article at bowlingdigital.com on April 30, 2012.
External links
- Michael Fagan official website
- Michael Fagan bio on PBA.com