Star bowler Jakob Butturff died “unexpectedly” Friday at the age of 32, according to the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA).
A cause of death has not been revealed.
“It ain’t supposed to be like this,” fellow bowler EJ Tackett posted to social media, according to the PBA. “It’s nothing short of soul crushing. Butters was one of the guys that would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need and he showed that time and time again. The bowling world lost today and it will never be the same. We all love you buddy. Until we meet again my friend.”
Butturff tallied eight PBA Tour championships, 27 PBA Regional Tour titles and won his lone major in 2019 at the USBC Masters.
He also earned three straight Northwest Region Player of the Year honors from 2016-18, and finished second in PBA Player of the Year voting in 2019.
Butturff’s best season came in 2016, when he won his first two championships and won a record nine titles on the PBA Regional Tour, per the PBA.
He competed seven times for Team USA, winning three golds in 2017, 2019 and 2021, and also rolled the PBA’s 28th televised “300” in the 2020 PBA Tour Finals.
Butturff was born and raised in Las Vegas, but also lived in Phoenix and Binghamton, N.Y., according to the PBA.
“Jakob was one of the most unique players in PBA history,” PBA Commissioner Tom Clark said in a release. “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.
“Jakob was kind, he was respectful, and he was a champion. He will never be forgotten. Our hearts are with all Butters touched on his one-of-a-kind journey.”
Butturrff last posted to social media in March, celebrating a recent performance.
It’s uncertain if he was married, although he posted a nice message to his partner — whose Instagram page says she’s his “girlfriend” — this February.
“Although I led and came up short in bracket matchplay, I can say that the confidence, after a miserable start to the year, has come back,” he posted to Instagram on March 28 about his showing at the 2026 USBC Masters. “I can’t thank all my sponsors and help enough this week.”
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