KUALA LUMPUR: A frustrated Muhammad Rafiq Ismail has vowed to bounce back stronger after failing to reach the stepladder final at the PBA International-World Bowling Tour Thailand on Friday.
The 20-year-old Malaysian kegler only managed to finish in 12th place, four spots below senior Shalin Zulkifli.
Only the top eight bowlers after round four qualify for the stepladder.
Shalin, who had a 48-pin handicap, amassed 1,284 pinfalls in round four while Rafiq scored 1,230 after six games.
"It's frustrating because I missed the cut by only about 40 pins," lamented Rafiq.
"The lanes were tough, and despite pushing hard, I just couldn't carry the pins.
"However, I am still pleased to have made the top 20, because it's really difficult to bowl among some of the best in the world. This will be my motivation ahead of the World Championships (in Las Vegas) in December."
The World Bowling Tour Thailand, is the final leg on the PBA World Tour before the World Championships in Las Vegas on Nov 24-Dec 4.