Sam Cooley has recovered from a game down to win Australia's first tenpin bowling singles title at the World Games.

Sam Cooley has made Australian tenpin bowling history, winning the men's singles title at the World Games.

Cooley, from NSW, recovered from a game down to beat Czech Jaroslav Lorenc in the final in Birmingham, Alabama.

It is the first Australian singles title in tenpin bowling at the World Games.

Cara Honeychurch and Andrew Frawley won Australia's last medal at the World Games when they took out the mixed doubles in 1997.

Cooley is also the first Australian to win a medal in the men's singles since Chris Batson took out bronze at the inaugural 1981 Games.

"We are absolutely thrilled for Sam. It was a mighty performance in the final. To come back from a game down and to bowl the way he did was incredible," Tenpin Bowling Australia chief executive Rohan O'Neill said in a statement.

"This performance continues to highlight Australia's talent on the world stage as we prepare to host the IBF World Cup and IBF Para Bowling World Cup later this year."

The World Games is an international event featuring sports outside the Olympic program.