2001 World Pool Masters

Results

Place	Player	Prize
1	Francisco Bustamante
2	Earl Strickland

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

Francisco "Django" Bustamante won the World Pool Masters with an 8-7 victory over American Earl Strickland at Thurrock, England. The Filipino player's triumph marked a significant achievement in his career and established him among pool's top competitors.

Bustamante earned his Django nickname from the iconic film character. The final against Strickland matched two different playing styles, with Bustamante demonstrating precision while Strickland displayed aggressive shot-making. The race-to-8 format tested both players' championship experience as they progressed through Matchroom's 16-man field.

This victory represented a major breakthrough for Bustamante on the international stage. He would later win the 2010 World 9-Ball Championship, and the World Pool Masters title confirmed his status as a world-class competitor. The win preceded his subsequent success, including two World Cup of Pool victories alongside compatriot Efren Reyes and over 100 international titles throughout his career.

Strickland's runner-up finish demonstrated his continued excellence at the highest level of competition. His presence in the final highlighted the global caliber and competitive strength of the World Pool Masters, which had become 9-ball's premier invitational tournament. The tournament format brought together the world's best players in a winner-takes-all competition.

Bustamante's 2001 World Pool Masters victory launched one of pool's most successful careers. His win marked the arrival of a player who would compete at the highest level for the next two decades and earn recognition as one of the greatest pool players of all time. The moment remains a notable achievement in the tournament's history.

Sources: Matchroom Pool Wikipedia

This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.