SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

Actually, two players that were in dead stroke all week were Feijen and Szewczyk, and Josh has to beat both of them, along with Shaw. That's a tough draw.
Feijin was uncharacteristically error prone in the first half of his match vs Josh. Basically gave two games away and scratched on one break. In a FB post, he said he was jumpy. He said he thinks it was because of a lack of exercise. He was cooped up during the event, up later than usual and wasn't able to exercise like he normally does.

He is an exercise freak, so he could be right. People like that aren't quite right if they don't get their exercise.

That said, it's up to Niels to figure out something that will work.

Still, he was extremely impressive for a part-time professional about to hit 50 years old. Josh knew he was going to be in a fight, and he was.

SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

WNT used the same cloth at the European Open and I didn't notice anything different. At the UK Open, however, I saw a number of balls rattle around a pocket and then drop. It happened much more than usual. A lot of times these balls would get hung up.

I suspect the unusually hot weather might have played a bigger role than the cloth, but the players played on the cloth. I didn't.
Yeah, I can't say that I noticed the difference either, but at least three players with whom I spoke suggested that the cloth was making a difference.

SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

Still the same conditions for all
A few of the players suggested to me that the new cloth is causing the tables to play a bit looser than in the past.
WNT used the same cloth at the European Open and I didn't notice anything different. At the UK Open, however, I saw a number of balls rattle around a pocket and then drop. It happened much more than usual. A lot of times these balls would get hung up.

I suspect the unusually hot weather might have played a bigger role than the cloth, but the players played on the cloth. I didn't.

SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

with filler being way to good for anyone. it almost means you are playing for 2nd place money and on down. not worth showing up for the majority, unless finishing very high, you don't even break even for expenses.
Obviously, this isn't true. Our sport is one in which winning four rotational pool majors in a year is a phenomenal year. With deeper fields than our sport has ever seen and globalization of the game still in high gear, it's hard to imagine that anyone will produce a Varner-1989 or Immonen-2009 kind of year anytime soon.

Admittedly, Filler's 2026 is already incredible. Josh has won the Las Vegas 10 ball and the WNT UK Open. He also won the Derby City 9ball, convincingly knocking off both SVB and Gorst en route to victory. The thing about Filler is that he seems to have an incredible year as often as any player of the 9ball era.

Josh is fantastic, but he's very beatable, and all the top guys know it. They will beat him often. I'm always amused when I chat with the players and they tell me "anybody can win a race to 10" but the level of play is so high these days that it seems they are right.

Perhaps Mike Page could confirm this, but I am pretty sure that Filler's 13-point edge in Fargo rate over the second-best player (Gorst) is the biggest edge any top-rated player has ever enjoyed over his closest pursuer based on Fargo.

Rest in Peace Bob aka CMBWSU

Robert “Bob” Enslow Jr., MSgt USAF (Ret.) beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, businessman, and friend, passed away on May 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on October 13, 1946, in San Diego, CA, Bob lived a life marked by service, adventure, generosity, and deep love for people.

Growing up in California, Bob developed a lifelong love for the outdoors, especially fly-fishing trips in the Sierra mountains with his father. Nature became a place where he felt most connected to God.

Bob proudly served in the United States Air Force after enlisting on May 10, 1966. During his military career, he served at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, Thule Greenland, Vietnam, George Air Force Base in California, South Korea, and Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. While living in South Korea, Bob taught English, started a tourist magazine, and helped establish an orphanage. It was there he also met the love of his life, Suki. Bob retired from the Air Force on June 1, 1989, after more than 22 years of service.

After retirement, Bob continued building community wherever he went. He owned and operated Pzazzé Pizza for several years before later moving to Pullman, Washington, where he ran a beloved corner store affectionately known as “Bob’s Corner Market.” Known by many as the “Greek God of Beer,” Bob became a cherished figure in the community because of his humor, generosity, and genuine care for people.

Bob was a storyteller who loved making people laugh and feel welcomed. He would do anything he could to help someone in need. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time playing pool and connecting with the online billiards community. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Suki Enslow; his son, Bobby Enslow and grandchildren Carson, Avery, and Owen Enslow; his daughters Crystal Enslow Aiken and Marci Lovell; and grandchildren Angelica and Mackenzie Aiken.
Beautiful post, for your friend, Lenny. RIP to an Air Force brother.

respectfully,
Matt_24, MSgt, USAF (Ret)

Do you think this wa the right shot? (UK Open, Moritz Neuhausen)

Even the pros have to make choices. Mistakes are sometimes made. I've seen literally hundreds of shots played improperly over my many years of watching. They usually opt for the shot they think they have the best chance of successfully completing. I've heard many a commentator question a player's choice of shots right on up to some of the world's best players. I don't like to hear it. You'd have to be in their "moment" to fully understand why they make the choices they do.

I wonder if anyone posting on this thread has ever played a shot the wrong way? And if so, did the general public scrutinize the sh*t out of it?

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