Browning’s Matt Bartholow Wins Fifth Grand American World Doubles Championship
Published on August 15, 2025
The annual Grand American World Championships held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, is one of the most significant trap-shooting events in the world. The shoot attracts thousands of shooters and spectators from around the world.
This year marks the storied event’s 126th anniversary, and Browning Pro Staff member Matt Bartholow was looking to make history.
Going into the event, Matt Bartholow was a four-time Doubles World Champion. He hoped that after the 126th Grand, he would have accomplished something never done in the history of professional trap shooting: Capturing five World Championship Doubles titles.
“You just gotta get through the round of 100 and not miss,” Bartholow said. “If you miss in the round of 100, you’re done. You gotta break 100 targets clean and get to the shoot-off rounds.”
In true Matt Bartholow fashion, he broke 100 targets in the event round. However, so did 14 other shooters.
“When you get to the shoot-offs, there is so much pressure,” said Bartholow. “You have to learn to control the pressure — the anxiousness — and lock in and do what you know you can do. The mental side of trap shooting is so important.”
In total, Matt Bartholow shot 420 targets. There were 16 shoot-off rounds, and out of 420 targets, Matt only missed one. That’s 419 out of 420 targets.
“It was crazy,” Bartholow continued. “When there were just two of us left, we both missed a target. After we both missed, the shoot-off continued until he missed again. It was an incredible feeling to capture my fifth World Doubles title. When you work hard at something, you want to see that hard work pay off. Winning this event was a big deal for me.”
“It’s not just the shoot-off and the mental pressure; it’s the changing light conditions, too,” Bartholow added. “The shoot-off rounds start in the afternoon, go through the twilight time, and then you shoot under the lights. You must remain focused on the ever-changing light conditions. I was able to do that, and I know that helped me get the win.”
Concerning Matt Bartholow’s doubles trap gun of choice, he hasn’t changed in a very long time.
“You find a shotgun you shoot well, and you stay with it,” Bartholow said. “I love my Browning Citori. I’ve won four World Championships with it, and the cool thing is that other than a sight blinder and adding a soft cheek pad, the gun is 100 percent stock.”
“Browning makes remarkable shotguns. This one has so many rounds through it. Lock-up is still tight, and everything performs like it’s new. I have mine set up with a 30-inch barrel so I can swing between clay targets quickly.”
With another World Doubles Championship in the books, Matt Bartholow is already looking ahead to 2026, planning to win once again an event he has owned.
