WICKLIFFE, Ohio — Tommy Jones gathered his ninth career Denny's Professional Bowler Association title by striking down Wes Malott 222-221 in the Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.

The reigning PBA Most Valuable Player rattled off six consecutive strikes in frames 4-9 to grab the lead, but needed a double in the 10th frame to finish Malott. However, Jones left a 7-10 split, the same split Malott had left him in the 7th frame.

Malott needed a strike for the victory, but left a pin standing and tied Jones. Malott followed with another 9-pin on his last shot and Jones survived for the one-pin win.

The 28-year-old Jones, who has notched four titles in the last two seasons, denied Malott's chance for consecutive titles for the first time in his career.

Jones also topped third-place Walter Ray Williams Jr., 226-216 in the semifinals and Ryan Shafer settled for fourth-place.