Chris Warren Wins 2026 USBC Senior Masters Title at Sam’s Town

LAS VEGAS — Chris Warren didn’t just win this one… he earned every bit of it.

In a back-and-forth title match that came down to the final frame, Warren took down Dan Knowlton 256-247 to capture the 2026 USBC Senior Masters title at Sam’s Town.

And this wasn’t a cruise.

This was a grind.

The win makes Warren a two-time Senior Masters champion, adding to his 2018 title—also won on these same lanes. Same building, same result… just a different kind of battle.

Early on, it looked like this might be Knowlton’s moment.

He came out firing—striking on seven of his first eight shots—and built a 21-pin lead through six frames. Meanwhile, Warren struggled out of the gate, leaving multiple 10-pins and even missing one in the first frame.

Not the start you want in a title match.

But if there’s one thing Warren showed all week, it’s that he doesn’t panic—he adjusts.

From the fourth frame on, he started matching Knowlton shot for shot. Ball changes. Surface reads. Small moves. Nothing dramatic—just smart, experienced execution.

Still, the gap held… until the ninth.

Knowlton left a 7-pin on a light mixer that didn’t quite finish, and suddenly the door cracked open.

In the 10th, Knowlton had a chance to slam it shut. First shot—flush. But instead of striking, a 9-pin stood.

That was the moment.

He spared and struck to post 247—forcing Warren to double to win.

Now it’s all on Warren.

First shot in the 10th—pure. No doubt.

Second shot—lighter hit… pins flying… and for a split second, it looked like the 4-pin might stand.

It didn’t.

Clipped late. Falls forward.

That’s the double.

That’s the title.

Warren finished it off with eight on the fill to lock up a 256-247 win and a $20,000 payday.

Afterward, even he knew things could’ve gone the other way.

“Lucky, fortunate, blessed… call it what you want,” Warren said. “Things just went my way.”

But this wasn’t luck—it was adjustment.

As the lanes broke down, Warren stayed ahead of it. While others stayed lined up, he made moves—quickly cycling through multiple balls to find the right look.

“I made three quick ball changes and threw five balls in about 18 frames,” he said.

That’s not guessing—that’s experience.

And it paid off.

Even more impressive? This comeback wasn’t out of character. Warren spent most of match play coming from behind, staying patient and letting the game come to him.

Sunday was no different.

And he didn’t do it alone.

With a full crowd of family, friends, and industry supporters behind him, the moment carried extra weight.

“My family has always done whatever it takes so I can do this,” Warren said. “This one’s for them.”

Now, with two Senior Masters titles on his resume, he’s hoping this win carries even further.

“Hopefully, this gets me into the Hall of Fame.”

Before the title match even started, though, the crowd got a show.

Amleto Monacelli turned back the clock in a big way.

The Hall of Famer opened with a dominant 268-223 win over Kevin Jenkins, then followed it up with a perfect 300 game against Brian Hoffman—who still shot 268 and forced Monacelli to mark in the 10th.

Vintage stuff.

Monacelli’s run ended in the semifinal against Knowlton, but not before finishing third and reminding everyone exactly who he is.

Knowlton, who finished second for $12,000, had to get through that gauntlet just to reach the final—and nearly closed it out.

Nearly.

The full field? No joke.

306 players entered. Five-game blocks to qualify. Top 64 into a double-elimination bracket. Every match a three-game battle just to survive.

No easy path. No shortcuts.

Warren outlasted all of it.

And when it came down to one frame, one shot, one moment—he executed.

That’s Mojo.