Arizona Open 2026, Yuma, August 13-16

Rocket354 said:
That's why I use the phrase "American-born" because depending on context one is more appropriate. For contrast: when talking MC, Fedor is an American. When talking the US's ability (or lack thereof) to develop talent, we need to discuss American-born players and Fedor definitely does not count.
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Fedor, Vitaliy, Thorsten, don't Shaw and Atencio live in the US also?
 
jbart65 said:
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.
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I first met Hank back in 2024 at VNEA Junior Nationals. I make it a point to talk with him every year whenever we cross paths again. He had a pretty damn good run this year in Dubuque competing against both the juniors and the men beating Tyler Styer in both the 10 ball & 9 ball events.
 
Rocket354 said:
That's why I use the phrase "American-born" because depending on context one is more appropriate. For contrast: when talking MC, Fedor is an American. When talking the US's ability (or lack thereof) to develop talent, we need to discuss American-born players and Fedor definitely does not count.
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I think that lacks nuance. Someone who moved to the US at age two isn't American born but certainly is part of the US's talent development.
 
kingwang said:
I think that lacks nuance. Someone who moved to the US at age two isn't American born but certainly is part of the US's talent development.
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Fair enough. I haven't run into that edge case yet, but American-developed might be a better term in those situations.
 
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