Mike Lee wins first PBR 15/15 Bucking Battle of the 2017 season

The first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) 15/15 Bucking Battle of the 2017 season went to a savvy veteran as 2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) claimed the victory Friday night at   Allstate Arena immediately after Round 1 of the Chicago Invitational. 

 

Lee earned the victory after an 87.75-point ride on Handsome Jeff (K-C/Josie McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-lin Acres) and picked up 150 PBR World Standings points for the finish in the special round along with a payout of $8,666.67. He also earned 45 world points and $1,650 for tying for third place in Round 1 after riding Beast of Burden (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/H&C Bucking Bulls) for 85.75 points earlier in the evening.

Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) was not far behind, turning in an 87.25-point trip aboard Big Cat (Dakota Rodeo/Struve/Berger/Heald) to finish second in the special round. He earned 90 points toward the world standings along with $6,666.67.

Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) finished third in the 15/15 Bucking Battle and earned 75 world points for the effort. He also took home $5,666.67. Vieira rode Cooper Tires Semper Fi (Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) for 86.5 points.

CBS Sports will broadcast the 15/15 Bucking Battle Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.     ~ PBR