WNT Florida Open 2026, August 4-9, Orlando, Caribe Royale

Bob Jewett

Bob Jewett

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Players must reserve rooms through the WNT reservation link. The hotel rate is about $170/night including tax. Parking is an additional $35 but that seems to be waived for FL and GA residents. That rate is cheaper than I was able to find on discount travel sites for the Caribe Royale.

It's the standard WNT major format:
$350 entry
256 players, double to single last 128
$225k prize fund, $40k first

The player list is up on wntlivescores.com and it looks like there are some spots still available.
 
This was an excellent event last year and rates to be excellent again. The Caribe Royale is a superb hotel that is just two miles from Disney World.

The field looks rock solid, although Fedor Gorst is not presently listed as being among the participants. He played in the 2025 edition and is presently in Florida at the Vice City Classic. Seems odd.
 
sjm said:
This was an excellent event last year and rates to be excellent again. The Caribe Royale is a superb hotel that is just two miles from Disney World.

The field looks rock solid, although Fedor Gorst is not presently listed as being among the participants. He played in the 2025 edition and is presently in Florida at the Vice City Classic. Seems odd.
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an error most likely. of course he'll play
 
Fedor is going to the APA nationals to do challenge matches, sign autographs, and promote his brand.
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Any idea why the bulk of the players are missing their pictures? Many of the missing pictures are regulars on the WNT, although lower level. Is it self-serve to add your pic? Or Emily and crew must do it?
 
sjm said:
All good by me. I'm glad that, for the top guys, they can earn a living without having to play in every major. Of course, he'll be missed at the Florida Open, but I'm sure we'll see him in Frisco later this month.
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Fedor surely can do as he wishes but I believe decisions like this is why he hasn’t been as competitive lately. Kind of disappointing in my opinion to miss a major tournament for this.
 
nicksaint26 said:
Fedor surely can do as he wishes but I believe decisions like this is why he hasn’t been as competitive lately. Kind of disappointing in my opinion to miss a major tournament for this.
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agreed. this shidd he can do in his off weeks, imo. if it's a tour then treat it as a tour.. but i guess the flip argument with a rational choice perspective is that the tour should pay better then
 
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skogstokig said:
agreed. this shidd he can do in his off weeks, imo. if it's a tour then treat it as a tour.. but i guess the flip argument with a rational choice perspective is that the tour should pay better then
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If APA is a paying sponsor, it's a good catch for Fedor Gorst representing the APA brand. After all, as most know here in the States, league and recreational pool is the most popular and is thriving well. Professional pool in USA not so much. Look at how many pro-caliber players exist today in 2026 in USA compared to, say, Philippines, as an example. Jeanette Lee is part of the APA brand. It may be a good career move for Fedor.
 
JAM said:
If APA is a paying sponsor, it's a good catch for Fedor Gorst representing the APA brand. After all, as most know here in the States, league and recreational pool is the most popular and is thriving well. Professional pool in USA not so much. Look at how many pro-caliber players exist today in 2026 in USA compared to, say, Philippines, as an example. Jeanette Lee is part of the APA brand. It may be a good career move for Fedor.
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There will be a million more tournaments for Fedor to play in anyway
 
JAM said:
If APA is a paying sponsor, it's a good catch for Fedor Gorst representing the APA brand. After all, as most know here in the States, league and recreational pool is the most popular and is thriving well. Professional pool in USA not so much. Look at how many pro-caliber players exist today in 2026 in USA compared to, say, Philippines, as an example. Jeanette Lee is part of the APA brand. It may be a good career move for Fedor.
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I just read that Fedor Gorst is NOT sponsored by APA, but he is in Vegas because he has a booth there at the APA convention.

With slim pickings for Mosconi Cup Team USA members, I don't think Fedor has much to worry about as far as making the team, even if he's a wildcard pick. But, of course, Coach Johan will be the deciding official. It will be interesting to see who is chosen.
 
I counted 245 players listed. Tons of American players of lower rank.

Strong field at the top. There are 43 of the top 100 Fargo players in the world at the event. And 24 of the top 50 Fargo players.

Of the top 50 Fargos, only 33 regularly travel to big events around the world. So in reality 24 of the top 33 Fargo players.

***

Most top Europeans, aside from the Polish contingent, are in Florida. Only one Pole, Konrad Juszczyszyn, attended, aside from the estranged Wiktor.

Just six Pinoys, led by Carlo. Also, Manas, De Luna, Gomez, Garcia and a no-name qualifier.

Tapei contingent listed at five.

Big names missing: Gorst, Ko brothers as expected, Johann Chua, Wojciech Szewczyk.
 
Wow. The new "king," Aloysius Yapp, loses his first match to BJ Ussery, 9-5, to go to the loser's side.

I am surprised Yapp got an opponent of Ussery's caliber (Fargo 768) in the first round. Filler is playing some guy named Vishwanath Reddy Saikam (Fargo 675).

Also, Naoyuki Oi also lost his first match, 9-7, to Stefan Huber (Fargo 717) of Austria.

By the way, Oscar Dominguez signed up to play, but he appears to have been a no-show.
 
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