SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

maha said:
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.
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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 already 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.
 
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skor said:
Still the same conditions for all
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sjm said:
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.
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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.
 
jbart65 said:
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.
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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 said:
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.
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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 said:
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.
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Certainly right for the higher ranked players. Gorst has a very very good chance against Filler, anyone over 800 has a decent chance, probably begins to drop somewhere around 780. I'm amused as you though that people actually believe playing to 10 is a short race.
 
jbart65 said:
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.
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Feijen is an inspiration, perhaps the new Souquet. It was always mind-blowing that Ralf managed to maintain world class speed well into his fifties, and it may prove the same for Feijen.

In my opinion, the common thread among all those that have played world class pool into their fifties is that they are all among the most elite pattern players of all time.
 
Something I left out was that I had a chat lasting nearly half an hour with snooker crossover Gary Wilson on Day 3 of the event. He is a congenial, engaging fellow and could hardly be a better representative for our sport. Sadly, he was among several that caught Filler in dead stroke, but his play was sold up to that point.

I was so pleased to meet and get to know him.
 
sjm said:
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 already 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.
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with in reason im right Stu, as filler is taking so much of the top money paid in tournaments . along with a very small subset of top players. not enough left for the good pro to pay expenses if he has to travel far. certainly if out of the country.
they are obviously out classed against the very best.

there has to be a way for the pros to win more , or some guarantee show-up fee for them. or you may find most start dropping out of long travel.

time will tell. but if i am right it might mean no going backwards.
 
sjm said:
Yeah, after about two years of losing every single 9ball and every single 10ball match to Josh, Fedor is definitely due. Perhaps, as you suggest, the US Open 9ball will be where Fedor turns the tables on him. I am a fan of Fedor, and I'd love to see him regain his top gear, which we haven't seen in a while.
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I'm hoping Filler will also play in the Texas Open 9 ball tournament the week after. Registrations sold out in 9 minutes earlier in the week.
 
sjm said:
Something I left out was that I had a chat lasting nearly half an hour with snooker crossover Gary Wilson on Day 3 of the event. He is a congenial, engaging fellow and could hardly be a better representative for our sport. Sadly, he was among several that caught Filler in dead stroke, but his play was sold up to that point.

I was so pleased to meet and get to know him.
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always seems like a honest guy. also very self critical
 
sjm said:
I just returned from Brentwood, Essex, England where I took in all six days of the WNT UK Open. It was fantastic.

The Setup of the Tournament
I am sure that a few have whined loudly about the lack of air conditioning at the Brentwood Centre, but only day one had very hot weather and I was fairly comfortable for the last five days. I’d certainly go back.

The real story was the pool. The field was rock solid. The room was set up the way I like it, with groups of four tables having area referees. A small negative is that there were four tables in the back of the room for which there was no good seating. Still, the schedule was maintained and the quality of play was electrifying, with a lot of really competitive matches along the way.

The Tournament in Hindsight
Filler was, of course, the biggest story of the week. With wins at the 2026 Derby City 9ball, the 2026 Las Vegas 10ball and now the 2026 UK Open, he is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. Anyone who thinks Fedor is even in the conversation for best rotation pool player in the world is delusional. In fact, it is a couple of years since Fedor beat Josh in any match involving rotation pool. We all understand that for all around play, the Filler/Gorst debate is alive and kicking, and perhaps Fedor is still best in that regard, but Josh is well above the pack at rotation pool and his “A” game brings to mind Earl’s “A” game of some thirty years ago. Filler’s 24 racks won to 3 lost on day six reminds us that he owns a gear that no other player has. Nobody but Josh produces efforts like this one. When he is really on, it doesn’t much matter how well his opponents play.

Nonetheless, Josh was hardly the only story. Jonas Souto was a big story. 2025 was a breakout year for him, and it looks like he has taken yet another step forward in his game. Mario He was a big story, knocking off some tough opponents before being eliminated by Filler. Mario has a 2nd and a 9th place finish in the first two WNT majors of the year. Elliot Sanderson was a big story, too, producing his first ever top 10 in a WNT major. Jayson Shaw is looking strong again, with a semifinal appearance in both the 2025 Philippines Open and the 2026 UK Open. Jayson might be ready to win something big soon. Despite his quarterfinal loss to Shaw, David Alcaide was in dead stroke all week. Szewczyk was brilliant, as he so often is, and his loss in the finals should not take the shine off that brilliance.

Top Americans Absent, Other Americans Impressed
Three of the members of 2025 Team USA (SVB, Thorpe, Woodward) were absent and each has now missed the first two WNT majors of the year. I respect their right to pick and choose, but it is still disappointing for this fan who enjoys watching them compete. On the brighter side, Tyler Styer was showing solid form, including a fine win over Neuhausen and young American Lukas Fracasso Verner is playing well and merits serious Mosconi consideration. Each finished tied for 17th.

The Hotel
Many of the players, fans, and tournament staff stayed at the Brentwood Holiday Inn, and I was among them. I was very pleased with my room, the hotel amenities, and the food at the hotel was pretty darn good.

Referees
The referees were consistently outstanding, and I made sure to say congratulations to head referee Marcel on a job well done before leaving the venue on day six.

Matchroom Staff
Congratulations to all at Matchroom on exemplary administration of the event. Everything ran smoothly and on schedule. On those rare occasions that I needed anything from a staff member I was accommodated with courtesy and promptness.

Socially
I caught up with nearly all the players I had hoped to see, but had substantial time with just a few, including Josh Filler, Felix Vogel, Jayson Shaw, Darren Appleton, Max Lechner, Mario He, and Lukas Fracasso Verner. A few friends, including one of my closest friends from New York City, were present, and thanks to all of them for their good company.

To Sum
Well played, Josh Filler, but many made a statement at the UK Open. I sure hope I get to go again next year. Thanks to all at Matchroom.
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A sound report and always a pleasure to chew the fat when you’re in town!
 
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