Gushue extends lead in Bonus Cup standings
Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., has padded his points total in the Bonus Cup chase.
Gushue won his second consecutive Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling title last month at the Masters in Lloydminster, Sask., to extend his lead in the standings for the overall season championship.
The reigning world champion is now on top of the table with 24 points and eight up on Masters finalist Niklas Edin of Sweden. Gushue doubled up on Edin 8-4 in the Masters final to earn his ninth career Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling championship.
Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is third in the standings with 12 points following another playoff finish. Tour Challenge Tier 1 runner-up Steffen Walstad of Norway remains in fourth place with nine points despite missing the Masters.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones jumped into the lead on the women’s side with her Masters victory. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg is second at 16 points followed by Scotland’s Eve Muirhead with 14 points. Tour Challenge Tier 1 winner Val Sweeting of Edmonton missed the playoffs at the Masters but holds steady in fourth place with 13 points.
The Bonus Cup is awarded annually to the men’s and women’s teams who have accumulated the most points over the course of the season following the conclusion of the Players’ Championship. The top four teams on each side receive additional prize money with the winners taking home $75,000 (CDN) each.
Edin and Sweeting are the reigning Bonus Cup champions. Gushue earned the Bonus Cup in 2015-16 when he captured three Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling titles during the season while Jones clinched the Bonus Cup in 2013-14 after closing out a dream year winning the Players’ Championship.
For more information on the Bonus Cup, CLICK HERE