Mats Karlsson

Mats Karlsson is a ten-pin bowler from Gothenburg, Sweden who competed internationally and on the PBA Tour in the United States.
Karlsson became the first international player to win a PBA Tour event in the U.S. when he captured the 1986 Southern California Open in Riverside, California. He went on to win three more PBA titles, along with 1 runner-up finish and 10 appearances in the top-5.
En route to winning the 1987 Greater Los Angeles Open, Karlsson entered the finals as the #3 seed. Before defeating Ricky Corona in the title match and John Gant in match #3, Karlsson had to best Pete McCordic in match #2, who rolled a perfect 300 game in match #1 against Wayne Webb. Karlsson was also owner and operator of Lundby Stadium Bowl in Gothenburg.
On March 14, 2025, the Professional Bowlers Association granted official title status to nine bowlers, who were not actual PBA members at the time of winning a PBA Tour or PBA50 Tour event. This includes Karlsson's victory at the 1983 AMF Grand Prix of Ten Pin Bowling.

Karlsson's PBA Bowling Titles