2026 Billard Beckmann Men’s Open

Results

Recap

Published July 6, 2026

The alpine setting of St. Johann im Pongau, Austria provided a picturesque backdrop for the 2026 Billard Beckmann Men's Open, and the tournament delivered a headline result to match the scenery. Felix Vogel, the 18-year-old German prospect, claimed the Pro Billiard Series title, defeating Taiwan's Wu Kun Lin in the final to add another significant result to what has become a rapidly growing professional résumé.

Vogel, who competes under the nickname "The Birdman," has been building momentum across the European circuit for several years. According to his Matchroom Pool profile, he reached the last 16 of the 2025 Scottish Open and won the 2025 JS Junior Open, while his Wikipedia page notes that he turned professional in 2024 following a junior world championship victory at the Saudi Arabia Junior World Championship of Nine-ball. The Austrian win marks his most prominent open-field professional result to date.

Wu Kun Lin made the final a genuine contest, and reaching the championship match at a Pro Billiard Series event is no small achievement on a circuit that regularly attracts established international talent. Lin's runner-up finish underscores the depth of competition in St. Johann and reflects the competitive reach of the PBS tour across European and Asian players alike.

At just 18, Vogel continues to close the gap between his junior accomplishments and senior-level results. His Wikipedia page notes victories over notable professionals including Earl Strickland and Carlo Biado in various competitions, and his Matchroom ranking profile places him at world No. 73 as of mid-2025. The Billard Beckmann Open title, if it carries PBS ranking points, figures to push that number further in the right direction.

The Pro Billiard Series has made a point of staging events across central Europe, and St. Johann im Pongau adds an unusual and visually striking venue to that calendar. For Vogel, who began the sport playing in Germany's lower recreational leagues as a child, winning a professional open event in the heart of Austria represents another measurable step forward on what is shaping up to be a compelling career trajectory. The rest of the PBS field will be paying attention.

Sources: Felix Vogel – Matchroom Pool, Felix Vogel – Wikipedia, Felix Vogel: A Star in the Making – Matchroom Pool

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