Will Howells Achieves Rare Triple Crown at APP Fort Lauderdale Open
What's the Score?
Will Howells made history at the APP Fort Lauderdale Open by winning gold in men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles, achieving the first triple crown on the APP Tour by a male player since August 2022. The tournament, the first major of the year for the APP Tour, was held at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale and featured challenging windy conditions.
Hit it deeper!
The APP Fort Lauderdale Open, a major event on the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour, took place at the renowned pickleball facility, The Fort. Despite heavy, swirling winds that impacted gameplay, particularly in doubles, the tournament drew packed crowds throughout the weekend. The main storyline of the event was Will Howells' remarkable achievement of winning three gold medals, securing a triple crown.
Howells began his dominant run in men's singles, facing Grayson Goldin, who had previously defeated him in all three of their prior encounters. However, in Fort Lauderdale, Howells turned the tables, employing consistent groundstrokes and high-level returns to secure a three-game victory with scores of 15-13, 12-15, 15-5. This marked Howells' second gold medal in singles, his first being at the 2024 APP Sacramento.
Next, Howells teamed up with Jack Munro in men's doubles, playing against William Sobek and Eduardo Irizarry. Howells and Munro displayed exceptional teamwork, winning the first game 11-0, achieving a "pickle" in the final. The second game was more competitive, with Irizarry and Sobek gaining an early lead and reaching game point at 10-8. However, Howells and Munro fought back, earning a sideout and ultimately securing the 13-11 victory. This win marks their fourth gold medal together in 2025, having previously won at Fort Lauderdale, Daytona, and Sacramento. Notably, Howells and Munro remain undefeated as a partnership.
To complete the triple crown, Howells partnered with Bobbi Oshiro in mixed doubles, facing Fudge and Munro. Howells and Oshiro proved to be a formidable duo, winning decisively in straight games, 11-4, 11-6. Oshiro's consistent play and powerful "twoey counter," combined with her strong overhead, made her an ideal partner for Howells. Throughout the entire tournament, Howells did not lose a single game in either mixed doubles or men's doubles. His strong performance across all three disciplines earned him a well-deserved triple crown. The last male player to achieve a triple crown on the APP Tour was JW Johnson in August 2022, with another occurring in March 2024. Howells entered the Fort Lauderdale Open as the #1 seed in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Will Howells' triple crown at the APP Fort Lauderdale Open is a significant achievement, highlighting his exceptional skill and dominance across multiple pickleball disciplines. Overcoming a prior losing record in singles and maintaining undefeated streaks in doubles demonstrates his adaptability and high level of play. This victory not only solidifies Howells' position as a top player on the APP Tour but also provides an exciting storyline early in the 2025 season. The fact that this is the first male triple crown since August 2022 underscores the rarity and difficulty of this feat, making Howells' performance all the more impressive. The challenging windy conditions further emphasize his ability to perform at a high level despite external factors.