Matchroom just released updated standings after the Arizona Open.
https://worldnineballtour.com/rankings/
Turns out MR still has eligibility rules in place that require a minimum participation in big WNT events.
Case in point:
Johann Chua. He was dropped from the Reyes Cup and World Pool Masters rankings even though he won one WNT event this year, the Pattaya Open in Thailand, that paid him $22,000.
He would be the top-ranked Filipino for the Reyes Cup if those points counted.
Chua has not played in any Matchroom major this year, however, and it’s unclear if he will play at the US Open.
How many major events are needed to qualify for these invitationals? Two at least (See Lukas Fracasso-Verner's situation below).
Skyler Woodward is on the Mosconi list. He has played in the Arizona and Florida Opens and is sure to play at the US Open.
REYES CUP
The absence of Chua leaves a competitive race for the top Filipino player guaranteed a spot in the Reyes.
The new leader among the Pinoys is
Jefrey Roda at 15,750 points. He is barely ahead of
Carlo Biado (15,500 points).
Bernie Regalario (14,250) and
AJ Manas (13,600) are not far behind.
The top Asian player is close between
Aloysius Yapp and
Naoyuki Oi. Someone else would have to win the US Open to outdo either one of them.
Shane Van Boening is sure to be the top American player unless
Fedor Gorst wins the US Open.
Joshua Filler has a solid 13,000 point lead for top Euro spot, but a half dozen players are in striking distance. Any European who won the US Open or finished second could leapfrog him.
MOSCONI
Shane is in on points (49,500).
Thomas Hohmann is next at 25,050 and
Tyler Styer at 19,670.
Gorst (9,870) and Woodward (7,900) are far behind. Gorst needs strong performances in Phoenix or the US Open to get an automatic.
Interestingly,
Lukas Fracasso-Verner was removed from the Mosconi list. He has only played in one WNT major this year due to injury.
On Team Europe, it's a big battle. Filler will almost certainly make it, but the other two spots are very much up for grabs.
WORLD POOL MASTERS 2027 (16 players, 12 automatic, 4 wild cards)
The top 12-ranked players get auto invites. SVB and Filler are certain. Probably Oi,
Oliver Szolnoki and
Moritz Neuhausen, too.
This event paid $40,000 to the winner in 2024, and $20,000 for the runnerup. Players will want to be in this.
