LAS VEGAS — Kelly Kulick has become the first woman to win a PBA Tour title, beating Chris Barnes in the final of the 45th Tournament of Champions.

Kulick outscored Barnes 265-195 on Sunday to take home the $40,000 first prize and a two-year PBA Tour exemption. The 32-year-old right-hander earned a berth in the Tournament of Champions by winning the PBA Women's World Championship last September.

Kulick of Union, N.J., says she always dreamed of winning a PBA Tour event but never imagined it would come in the Tournament of Champions.

The previous best finish for a woman in a PBA Tour event was second by Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., in the 2005 Banquet Open.

Barnes was trying for his second Tournament of Champions win. He also won in 2006.