The biggest eye opener for me the past two weeks has been the play of Harrison Leinen (Fargo 707), an 18-year-old American from Minnesota.
He played in the Florida Open. Started out beating fellow American Vincent Goh (Fargo 643) by the score of 9-6. Then he beat the more experienced Nathan Childress (Fargo 744) by a surprising 9-1.
In the knockout stage, he beat Floridian Jason Jones (Fargo 687) in a tight 10-9 affair.
Finally he lost to Kledio Kaci 10-5 for a spot in the final 32. Harrison kept pace early, then Kledio went on a run. It wasn't really a mistake-laden match on Harrison's part, however. Kledio was just Kledio.
Last night he took AJ Manas to the wire in a 10-8 loss.
I know it is a very small sample size. I have only seen Leinen play twice. But he's impressed me as much as any young American player under the age of 30 save for Lukas Fracasso-Verner.
He looks calm and assured at the table. He's shown good positional play. He can move the ball without much effort. Breaks well. Plays on the quicker side. Doesn't overcomplicate things or agonize over what to do.
Leinen, who's nickname is Hank the Tank, has had good success in junior events going back to age 14, but apparently he's made a name for himself lately in money matches, according to Jeremy Jones. JJ was unfamiliar with Leinen before the Florida Open.
Flash in the pan? Maybe. But I would love to see him at more events. His self-confidence and speed of play suggest he could get a lot better. To he plays more like a 777 Fargo than a 707.
