LAS VEGAS — Patrick Allen won the PBA H&R Block Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes today after an errant shot by his friend and roommate Rhino Page.

Allen slipped past his fellow southpaw, 267-263, to win his second career major championship and his second title in three weeks. It meant a $50,000 payday and a two-year PBA Tour exemption in the crowning event of the PBA's 50th anniversary week.

Allen's celebration was tempered by the knowledge that Page basically handed him the victory with a miscue on his second shot in the 10th frame.

Needing only a nine-count spare after striking on his first shot in the final frame, the PBA's reigning Rookie of the Year called for a re-rack to calm himself. Not realizing he had already used the two re-racks he was allowed, Page glanced at the 25-second shot clock before composing himself.

"Rhino got the ball a little too far left. It came off his hand with nothing on it," said Allen, of Wesley Chapel, Fla. "I could see it was a bad shot."

Page missed the headpin, knocking down four pins and his dream of winning his first major title disappeared.

"I knew the shot was in trouble when it came off my hand," said Page, of Topeka, Kan. "I got distracted with the time clock, but sometimes you have to learn the hard way. I still had a great week. I'll take second after not making the cut the previous three weeks."

The victory for Allen, who was the top qualifier making his PBA record-tying fifth consecutive television appearance, continued an amazing turnaround after a dismal start to the season.

"Over the past few weeks, everything has been going my way," Allen said. "It was an honor to be here the whole week. Winning the Tournament of Champions, especially this week, is something I'll never forget.

"After the first six weeks, I was on the verge of bowling for my job. I was bowling terrible. But I had a practice session with Doug Kent and things began to click after that."

Right-hander Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, defeated lefty Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, 276-203, in the opening stepladder match, but back-to-back 4-6-7-10 splits in his semifinal against Page ended Malott's bid for a third title in six weeks. Page won, 243-200.