Whiting and Grueso Jnr Crowned 2025 TBA Australian Masters Champions
By Matt Stevens
The 62nd TBA Australian Masters wrapped up in thrilling fashion at the TBA National High-Performance Centre, with Bec Whiting and Bernie Grueso Jnr claiming this year’s national titles.
It marks the second straight year two Victorians have reigned supreme.
For Bernie, it’s a breakthrough first open Masters crown, while Bec joined rarefied air – becoming just the fourth bowler in history to win the Australian Masters women’s title three times (2013, 2014, 2025). She now sits alongside icons Jeanette Baker (4), Ruth Guerster (4), Cara Honeychurch (3), and Rebecca Voukolos (3) on the all-time list.
Day One: Whiting and Frith Set the Pace
The field may have been smaller than in previous years, but the quality was undeniable. Saturday’s eight-game qualifying block set the tone early.
In the Women’s division, Bec Whiting came out firing – leading the field with 1,696 (an average of 212) that included six games over 200. Alicia Melton stayed within striking distance, just 20 pins back on 1,676.
Across the lanes, New Zealander Connor Frith lit up the Open division, averaging 210.5 for a total of 1,684 highlighted by a 278 in Game 4. Rising star Jackson Buckingham sat second on 1,639, followed closely by Connor Raines (1,623) and Bernie Grueso Jnr (1,587).
Day Two: Cut Day Chaos
Sunday morning saw the top four bowlers from qualifying automatically advancing to the final bracket, while those ranked 5-16 battled it out for the final four bracket spots with six additional games to add to their 8 game qualification score.
South Australian Jamie Phelan was unstoppable, posting a combined total of 2,834 to secure her place in the final eight. Queenslander Kylie Bailey followed on 2,629, while Jasmine Walker (2,579) and Morgan James (2,432) claimed the last two spots – with Morgan edging Siarn Ottaviano in a nail-biter.
On the men’s side, Ryan Edgar (2,710), Luke Phillipson (2,702), Cameron Stein (2,699), and Jordan Harrold (2,694) rounded out the bracket after a fierce second stage that saw big late scores make all the difference.
Finals Time: Head-to-Head Drama
Once the brackets were set, it was survive and advance.
Whiting wasted no time, sweeping Morgan James 2-0, while Alicia Melton outlasted Jasmine Walker 2-1 in a back-and-forth-duel.
Yvette Green and Jamie Phelan also progressed with clean sweeps – with Phelan knocking out defending champion Rebekah Martin in straight games.
In the semis, Whiting maintained her ruthless rhythm, defeating Phelan 2-0, while Melton stormed past Green with two explosive games (277-216, 237-183). That set the stage for a familiar national title showdown: Bec Whiting Vs Alicia Melton.
Women’s Final: A Strike-Fest for the Ages
The final lived up to the hype.
Whiting struck first with a 258-232 win in Game 1, before Melton answered in kind, 227-211, to force a decider.
Then came a performance for the history books.
Whiting unleashed 10 consecutive strikes, then a 9 spare, finishing with a 289 game – to seal her third Australian Masters title.
Melton fought valiantly with a 267, but Whiting’s precision and poise under pressure proved too much.
Men’s Final: Grueso Jnr Grinds his Way to Glory
The men’s bracket followed a similar path – the top four seeds advanced cleanly before the upsets began. Grueso Jnr made his move in the semifinals, stunning top seed Connor Frith with commanding wins of 278-202 and 255-187. On the other side, Jackson Buckingham swept past Connor Raines (210-185, 239-198) to book his place in the title match.
In the final, Grueso Jnr struck early dominating Game 1 with a 268-201 victory. Buckingham countered in Game 2, 226-203, forcing one last showdown.
But in the decider, experience took over.
Grueso Jnr stayed composed from the first frame to the last, stringing together clutch strikes and closing with a 258 to claim his first open TBA Australian Masters title. Buckingham finished with a 180, his impressive run falling just short of the fairytale ending.
Future Frames
The Masters marks the end of the 2025 women’s ranked event season, while one final Open event – the Gunspray Salisbury Open in South Australia – will close out the open division campaign from November 15 at Bowland Salisbury.
Tenpin Bowling Australia congratulates Bec Whiting and Bernie Grueso Jnr on their remarkable performances and 2025 TBA Australian Masters titles.
Winner Journey – Bec Whiting
Stage 1
| 204 | 189 | 215 | 223 |
| 227 | 239 | 171 | 228 |
- 1,696 total
- 212 average
- Leading qualifier – 1st
Stage 2 – Bye
Finals Bracket
- Bec Whiting defeated Morgan James 2-0 (207-207 Bec won the tie break and 207-177
- Bec Whiting defeated Jamie Phelan 2-0 (198-172, 189-173)
- Bec Whiting defeated Alicia Melton 2-1 (258-232, 211-227, 289-267)
High Game – 289
Winner Journey – Bernie Grueso Jnr
Stage 1
| 180 | 202 | 212 | 204 |
| 187 | 222 | 185 | 195 |
- 1,587 total
- 198.4 average
- 4th highest qualifier
Stage 2 – Bye
Finals Bracket
- Bernie Grueso Jnr defeated Ryan Edgar 2-0 (234-189, 213-190)
- Bernie Grueso Jnr defeated Connor Frith 2-0 (278-202, 255-187)
- Bernie Grueso Jnr defeated Jackson Buckingham 2-1 (268-201, 203-226, 258-180)
High Game – 278
HIGH GAMES
- 289 – Bec Whiting
- 278 – Bernie Grueso Jnr, Connor Frith
TBA AUSTRALIAN MASTERS
PAST CHAMPIONS
| Year | Men | Women |
| 1963 | Eric Jang (NSW) | |
| 1964 | Richard Hall (Vic) | Denise Boness (Vic) |
| 1965 | Gary Burling (NSW) | Nellie Schlanger (NSW) |
| 1966 | Joe Velo (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1967 | Steve Mackie (NSW) | Doreen Dockery (Vic) |
| 1968 | Keith Cummings (Vic) | Jean Soderlund (NSW) |
| 1969 | Brian Burge (NSW) | Jean Soderlund (NSW) |
| 1970 | Steve Mackie (NSW) | Trish Datson (NSW) |
| 1971 | Mick Neylan (Vic) | Margaret. Rothenberg (SA) |
| 1972 | Ray Reid (Qld) | Ivy Woodard (WA) |
| 1973 | Anthony Haralambous (WA) | Barbara Ward (NSW) |
| 1974 | Bruce Kennedy (Vic) | Barbara Wright (NSW) |
| 1975 | Alan Coleman (Tas) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1976 | Jim Ferguson (Qld) | Jill Pask (Qld) |
| 1977 | Fred Sullivan (Vic) | Del Da-Re (WA) |
| 1978 | Peter Pengelly (SA) | Sue Paull (SA) |
| 1979 | Eric Thompson (Vic) | Lavina Pietens (NSW) |
| 1980 | Chris Batson (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1981 | Ted Krystofiak (NSW) | Jeanette Baker (SA) |
| 1982 | Frank Ryan (Vic) | Jeanette Baker (SA) |
| 1983 | Terry Maher (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1984 | Mark Sheehan (Qld) | Pam Pope (Tas) |
| 1985 | Brian Bridges (Vic) | Jeanette Baker (ACT) |
| 1986 | Kevin Harding (SA) | Jeanette Baker (ACT) |
| 1987 | Warren Stewart (Vic) | Leanne Moyle (Qld) |
| 1988 | Brenton Manning (SA) | Debbie Biviano (NSW) |
| 1989 | Russell Morris (Qld) | Dana Miller-Mackie (NSW) |
| 1990 | Robert Zikman (Vic) | Patricia Kourtesis (WA) |
| 1991 | Peter van Kempen (NSW) | Sue Cassell (NSW) |
| 1992 | Terry Wenban (NSW) | Kelly Hird (Qld) |
| 1993 | Ian Bradford (Vic) | Sue Cassell (NSW) |
| 1994 | Ian Bradford (Vic) | Ann-Maree Putney (NSW) |
| 1995 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1996 | Andrew Frawley (NSW) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1997 | Fred Allsopp (NSW) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1998 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Maxine Nable (NSW) |
| 1999 | Steve Hart (WA) | Tanya Bush (ACT) |
| 2000 | Brenton Davy (SA) | Jo Spencer (SA) |
| 2001 | Fred Allsopp (NSW) | Amanda Ladlow (WA) |
| 2002 | Michael Little (NSW) | Kate Wilton (NSW) |
| 2003 | Andrew Lloyd (NSW) | Narelle Baker (Vic) |
| 2004 | Andrew McArthur (NT) | Sharyn-Lee Calder (Vic) |
| 2005 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Rebecca Simpson (Qld) |
| 2006 | Mac Stewart (Vic) | Jayde Flanagan (NT) |
| 2007 | Mac Stewart (Vic) | Rebecca Simpson (NT) |
| 2008 | Mitch Marris (WA) | Ann-Maree Putney (NSW) |
| 2009 | Paul Trotter (Vic) | Jacinta Gilliland (Qld) |
| 2010 | Sam Cooley (NSW) | Lynda Barnes (USA) |
| 2011 | Siu Hong Wu (HGK) | Shannon Pluhowsky (USA) |
| 2012 | Jason Belmonte (NSW) | Diandra Asbaty (USA) |
| 2013 | Ashley Riley (TAS) | Rebecca Whiting (VIC) |
| 2014 | Glen Loader (NSW) | Rebecca Whiting (VIC) |
| 2015 | Glen Loader (NSW) | Dena Buxton (VIC) |
| 2016 | George Frilingos (Qld) | Alexia Hicks (NSW) |
| 2017 | Brendan Meads (Qld) | Kelly Kulick (USA) |
| 2018 | David Porto (VIC) | Jaime Maglieri (NT) |
| 2019 | Sam Cooley (NSW) | Rebecca Voukolos (NT) |
| 2021 | Cameron Stein (QLD) | Rebekah Commane (VIC) |
| 2022 | Zane Carlson (NZ) | Chloe Jones (QLD) |
| 2023 | Adam Hayes (VIC) | Bianca Flanagan (QLD) |
| 2024 | Adam Hayes (VIC) | Rebekah Martin (VIC) |
| 2025 | Bernie Grueso Jnr (VIC) | Rebecca Whiting (VIC) |
