2000 US Open 9-Ball Championship
Part of the US Open 9-Ball Championship archive
US Open 9-Ball Championship
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earl Strickland | |
| 2 | Takeshi Okumura |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
Earl "The Pearl" Strickland won his fifth US Open 9-Ball Championship title in 2000, defeating Japan's Takeshi Okumura in the finals. Strickland earned the $50,000 winner's prize and became one of the few players to win multiple US Open championships.
Strickland's five US Open titles came in 1984, 1987, 1993, 1997, and 2000. He was 38 years old when he won his final US Open title and continued competing at the professional level in nine-ball.
Okumura's appearance in the finals reflected the increasing international presence in professional nine-ball. The Japanese player's participation showed that the sport had grown beyond the United States.
The US Open is one of the most prestigious titles in professional pool. Winners receive the green blazer and free entry to all future US Opens.
The 2000 championship was Strickland's last US Open victory. He won his third world nine-ball championship in 2002. Strickland was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame in 2006.
Sources: Earl Strickland – Wikipedia U.S. Open Pool Championship – Wikipedia
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.