FORT WORTH, Texas – Leave it up to a cowboy who’s accepted more high 70 or low 80-point scores than most to record the rankest conversion of the opening weekend of PBR World Finals action, right?

It may not have been on our Bingo card, but Nashville Stampede veteran Alan de Souza stepped up in a BIG way on Championship Sunday as the Eliminations stage concluded.

Despite entering the fourth and final round of opening weekend excitement with an 0-for-3 record, Souza opted into a matchup with a bull known as Man Hater.

Teaming up with the pack frontrunner for what ended up clinching the animal athlete his second-straight tour-leading honors, the Brazilian matched his every move en route to earning the sincerest score of the session and the best of his career:

A whopping 92.5 points. 

Having settled for far smaller numbers in events and seasons past many times, it’s just ironic, if not entertaining, that the elder statesman sneaks into the original 20 cowboys set to duke it out in Jerry World May 17-18.

However an elite talent like Man Hater is rarely associated with anything moderately close to mediocre, so the animal athlete may have done him a favor. All while helping Souza tie No. 3 John Crimber and No. 13 Andrew Alvidrez for the third-highest score of the season. 

At the same time, several riders passed on the chance to challenge said standout bovine in Saturday night’s bull draft, as more guys were interested in a safer approach. 

Thus, we’ll give some credit to Souza for allowing fate to take the wheel. 

Man Hater didn’t give him an easy afternoon by any means, either, stealing the show with an Eliminations-high 46-point bull score. 

Entering the weekend ranked No. 19 at 22-for-47, he had averaged an 84.98-point score across his near two dozen qualified rides.

His flashy finish to the weekend somehow also served as Souza’s second-ever 90-point ride, with his first and only other coming during the 2019 PBR World Finals.

So, we’ve learned that he isn’t shying away from the bright lights – even if he trails No. 1 Dalton Kasel by 898 UTB points entering the final week of the individual season. 

And are again reminded that this sport is impossible to script. 

Earning a welcome 89 UTB points for his first round win of the season (talk about a time to pace the pack … ), the veteran exited Cowtown Coliseum in the No. 17 spot as one of four riders to record conversions north of the 90-point mark (alongside Eliminations event-winner Jose Vitor Leme, Kaiden Loud and Kasel) during the final session. 

Flanked by the likes of Austin Richardson and Sandro Batista in the round, who produced matching 89.75-point rides, it was clear guys were saving their best for last. 

Joined by Koltin Hevalow, Dener Barbosa, Batista and Derek Kolbaba as the five top-ranked riders in the event aggregate who weren’t ranked in the Top 15, the veteran cream rose to the top of the cutline despite the overall showcase being dominated by youth. 

Finishing the event 11th overall despite going 1-for-4, he’s been afforded an opportunity to rest up this week while the rest of the circuit prepares to endure the approaching Ride For Redemption rounds, as the final 5 spots to the 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship will be awarded via the “last chance” shootout. 

The Fort Worth Stockyards will again host the middle stage of competition, set to welcome back the world’s top talents to Cowtown Coliseum May 14-15, airing exclusively on The Cowboy Channel.

Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and @PBR social media channels for everything PBR World Finals! 

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media