2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters

Final Names Added to Starting Line Up

The final names have been added to the players’ roster for the forthcoming 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters which takes place during the BCA National 8-Ball Championships at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, May 9 to May 11.
Filipino superstars Francisco Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan have confirmed their attendance as have top-rated Europeans Ralf Souquet (Germany) and Niels Feijen of Holland.

With 16 players in the field competing for the $62,000 prize fund, event promoters Matchroom Sport believe they have assembled the strongest line-up yet in the 16 year history of the event.

“With four World 9 Ball Champions, six US Open Champions and a host of other title-holders in the field, I believe that this will be the toughest ever World Pool Masters,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn.

“With winner breaks, race to eight matches on the toughest equipment, it will take a series of fantastic performances to lift this prestigious trophy,” he added.

Other recent confirmations include 2001 US Open Champion Corey Deuel and the quartet of stars recently qualified from the Euro Tour.

They are England’s latest 9 ball sensation Mark Gray, Germany’s dangerous Christian Reimering, up-and-coming Italian Bruno Muratore and 2006 Mosconi Cup competitor Imran Majid (England).

World Junior Champion, the 18 year-old Ko Pin-Yi of Taiwan, cemented his credentials to a Masters spot at the weekend by coming from 14-4 down to beat Dennis Orcollo 15-14 and take the Brunswick Thailand 9-Ball Open.

Elsewhere, 2003 Masters Champion Tony Drago won the Paris Open at the weekend, his first Euro Tour title, after three losing finals.

The 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters field

Daryl Peach (ENG)
Thomas Engert (GER)
Mika Immonen (FIN)
Tony Drago (MLT)
Shane Van Boening (USA)
Rodney Morris (USA)
Francisco Bustamante (PHI)
Alex Pagulayan (PHI)
Ko Pin-ye (TPE)
Niels Feijen (NED)
Ralf Souquet (GER)
Corey Deuel (USA)
Mark Gray (ENG)
Christian Reimering (GER)
Bruno Muratore (ITA)
Imran Majid (ENG)