World Pool Masters
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francisco Bustamante | |
| 2 | Ralf Souquet |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
The 1998 World Pool Masters at Thurrock concluded with Francisco Bustamante winning his first Masters title, defeating German player Ralf Souquet in the final. The victory marked a significant milestone for Bustamante, who would go on to build one of the most decorated careers in professional pool.
Bustamante's path to victory demonstrated tactical skill and composure. The Filipino player turned professional in 1990 and was already recognized among the game's elite performers. His nickname Django became associated with an aggressive, dynamic style of play that excited audiences worldwide.
The final against Ralf Souquet matched two of the sport's strongest international competitors. Both players had established themselves as consistent threats on the professional circuit, making this matchup a fitting conclusion to Matchroom's premier 9-ball event. Souquet's runner-up finish reflected his status as one of the world's most formidable competitors during this period of professional pool.
This Masters victory proved to be one of many highlights in Bustamante's career. The triumph led toward greater achievements, including his 2010 World 9-Ball Championship and multiple World Cup of Pool titles alongside Filipino player Efren Reyes. The win preceded a dominant stretch in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during which he captured over 100 international titles.
The 1998 World Pool Masters represented a major tournament victory for Bustamante and marked his emergence as a top global competitor in professional pool. With this championship, Bustamante established himself as a player capable of winning 9-ball's most prestigious events, beginning a career that would span decades and influence generations of Filipino players.
Sources: Francisco Bustamante – Wikipedia SECOND TO NONE – WPA Pool
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.