World Pool Masters
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shane Van Boening | |
| 2 | Darren Appleton |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
Shane Van Boening made history at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, becoming the first player in the 23-year history of the World Pool Masters to successfully defend his title. The South Dakota native defeated England's Darren Appleton 8-2 in the final.
Van Boening advanced through the early rounds with wins against John Morra (8-6) and Waleed Majid (8-5). He reached the final by defeating China's Liu Haitao 8-0 in the semifinal. Van Boening's preparation before the tournament helped him perform at a high level throughout the event.
Van Boening recorded three golden breaks during the event, including one in the semifinal. His breaking and shot-making proved effective in the final, where Appleton won only two racks. Appleton had reached the championship match with wins over Johnny Archer (8-5) and Mark Gray (8-4).
With this victory, Van Boening joined an exclusive club of multiple Masters winners alongside legends Ralf Souquet, Francisco Bustamante, and Thomas Engert. Van Boening received a $20,000 winner's check. The Masters tournament features 16 of the world's top players competing for the title.
Van Boening's repeat victory established him as a leading force in 9-ball pool. His performance in Manchester represents a significant achievement in modern pool history.
Sources: Matchroom Pool, Matchroom Pool, Matchroom Pool
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.