#InCaseYouMissedIt: Lockwood Becomes Youngest Two-Time World Champion in PBR History
By: Darci Miller
The 2019 season came to an end with the PBR World Finals, and what a Finals it was. Jess Lockwood steamrolled through the week to win his second World Championship, Smooth Operator was king of the bulls, Rubens Barbosa made history with – this is not a typo – a 95.75-point score, and so much more. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
At the PBR World Finals…
DAY 1
The world title race stayed tight as Jose Vitor Leme, Jess Lockwood and Chase Outlaw all covered their first-round bulls.
Lockwood placed seventh in Round 1 but was already looking ahead to his 90-point potential in Round 2.
Eduardo Aparecido scored 91.25 points aboard Chiseled for his first World Finals round win.
Outlaw finished second in Round 1 and was – as always – having the time of his life.
Cliff Richardson’s grandmother passed away on Oct. 29, and he competed at the World Finals in her memory.
DAY 2
In the world title race, Jess Lockwood was the only contender to remain perfect with a 91.5-point ride on Spotted Demon.
Lockwood finished second in Round 2 behind Cody Jesus, who delivered his first premier series qualified ride since August with 92 points on Lil 2 Train.
Leme suffered a setback in his title pursuit as he slapped Danny Boy at 1.9 seconds, opening the door for Lockwood.
But everyone was looking up at Cody Teel, who conquered three-time World Champion SweetPro’s Bruiser to take the overall event lead.
DAY 3
Lockwood predicted that he would have to win the World Finals event average to win the world title…
…and he then promptly won Round 3 to further cut into Leme’s lead at the top of the world standings.
2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi noted that Lockwood was riding as well as he did on his historic world title run.
It was an emotional night for Leme, as his family was visiting from Brazil for their first reunion in two long years.
In front of the late Mason Lowe’s wife, Abbey, Outlaw rode Lowe’s namesake bull, Mason’s Missouri Golden in honor of his best friend.
Ezekiel Mitchell finally got his first World Finals qualified ride, stealing the spotlight with his riding as well as his fashion sense.
Cody Teel tore his ACL and MCL but committed to riding through it.
DAY 4
Everyone took a backseat to Rubens Barbosa in Round 4, as he rode Chiseled for a massive 95.75 points. Not only did he win the round, but he etched his name in the PBR history books.
Leandro Machado, the young Brazilian invite, rode for 92.75 points, missing out on the round win but proving to everyone that he’s the real deal.
The three title contenders were perfect again in Round 4…
…and Lockwood was riding as confidently and as well as he ever had…
…but Leme threw down the gauntlet as the World Championship race came down to the final day.
DAY 5
In an incredible come-from-behind performance, Jess Lockwood went 5-for-6 to win the World Finals and his second PBR World Championship.
Smooth Operator swept the bull honors, winning YETI Bull of the Finals as well as the YETI World Champion Bull title…
…and Chad Berger won his ninth Stock Contractor of the Year award.
Three months to the day after making his PBR premier series debut, Dalton Kasel was named the 2019 Rookie of the Year.
Championship Sunday once again meant heartbreak for Leme, as he finished No. 2 in the world for the second straight season, but World Champions Guilherme Marchi and Kaique Pacheco know that he can come back stronger.
Through the lens with BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from day one, day two, day three, day four and day five in Las Vegas.
Social spotlight
#Twinning
Just a couple of GOATs, NBD.
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The kid came to play.
The future is bright.
A few words from the champ!
Looking ahead
The 2019 season is over, but we’ll see you when the 2020 season kicks off in New York City on Jan. 3-5 with the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden!
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