Duong Quoc Hoang etched his name into the history books after defeating Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 7–4 to be crowned the 2026 Premier League Pool champion, securing his first Matchroom Major title in sensational fashion.
The Vietnamese star not only lifted his maiden major trophy, but became the first Vietnamese player ever to win a Matchroom major — a landmark moment for both his career and his country.
Duong said: “Right now, I feel extremely happy and deeply grateful. This was a very tough tournament with so many strong players, and I had to fight for every single rack. There were difficult moments, but I kept believing in myself and stayed focused until the end.
This victory is not only for me — it is for Vietnam, for Vietnamese billiards, and for everyone back home who has supported me. To stand here and represent my country on the international stage is one of the greatest honours of my career.”
FINAL
Duong Quoc Hoang 7–4 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
Duong controlled the early stages of the final, building momentum against the former World Champion and maintaining composure under pressure. However, with the title within touching distance, nerves began to show. A missed 9-ball in the penultimate rack handed Ruiz a lifeline and briefly shifted the tension inside the arena.
But in the following rack, after a composed safety exchange, Duong seized his opportunity. When the chance came, he delivered — sealing a historic victory that resonated far beyond Florida.
Earlier in the evening, Duong had battled past 17-year-old Indonesian sensation Albert Januarta in a dramatic hill-hill semi-final, having entered Finals Day as the front-runner following four days of relentless round-robin action.
For Duong, the triumph marked the culmination of years of persistence, having come close on multiple occasions without breaking through. This time, he finished the job — delivering a defining moment for himself and for Vietnamese pool.
Duong added: “I hope this win inspires young players in Vietnam to dream bigger and work harder. We have a strong fighting spirit and great passion for this game. Today I’m proud to show the world what Vietnamese players are capable of.”
The 2026 Premier League Pool took place from 18–22 February at Classic Billiards in Miami, Florida, where 16 of the world’s best players went head-to-head for the prestigious title.
The event will return next year from 16–21 February, when Duong Quoc Hoang will look to defend his crown against another elite 16-player field.
NEXT WNT RANKING EVENT
The World Nineball Tour continues with the inaugural Pattaya Open, taking place in Pattaya, Thailand, from 2-6 March, featuring 128 players competing for a $50,000 prize fund.
NEXT MATCHROOM MAJOR
Following Thailand, European Open Pool Championship returns to Hotel Hills in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, from 10-15 March, where 256 players of the world’s elite will battle it out for $225,000.
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