HAMMOND, Ind. — Walter Ray Williams Jr. earned his 45th career PBA Tour title today, defeating Bill O'Neill 246-202 in the Lake County Indiana Golden Anniversary Championship at Olympia Lanes.

"When I first joined the PBA Tour years ago, I thought I'd win four or five titles," said Williams Jr., the PBA's career titles leader. "But now I've won 45 titles and I feel great. Anytime you can win, it's great."

Williams, of Ocala, Fla., is also the career money leader with $4,030,116 in earnings.

"Things have been going my way, the pins have been falling down," Williams said. "I feel like I should be bowling with the seniors, my knee is sore, my wrist is sore, but it worked out OK."

Williams gained the final by beating Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, 258-222.

O'Neill advanced with a 235-214 win over friend Anthony LaCaze, an amateur from Glen Ellyn, Ill. LaCaze's third-place finish was the highest for an amateur since the PBA switched formats to all all-exempt field during the 2004-05 season.

Timothy Kauble of Marion, Ohio, beat Hugh Miller of Seattle 235-185 to claim his first career senior title in his first television appearance.

"It feels different than anything I've done before," Kauble said. "I got some tips from (PBA Hall of Famer) Carmen Salvino about looking at the crowd and such."

Sunday's telecast was the first of a PBA Senior Tour event since 2001.

The PBA Tour continues next Sunday with the Chameleon Championship in Taylor, Mich.