Yapp Clinches UK Open Title, Pays Tribute to Mum

Aloysius Yapp was just 14 when he wanted to stop school to pursue pool full-time.

- David Lee

Against conventional wisdom, his mother Angie Tay, a single parent then after his father died when Yapp was only nine, agreed and invested hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to support his development in the sport.

Their efforts came to fruition when he reached the summit of the World Pool-Billiard Association rankings in 2021.

And on Mother's Day, Yapp celebrated on top of the pool table after capturing his first major title by obliterating Spaniard Jonas Souto 13-1 in the final of the US$200,000 (S$259,000) UK Open in Telford, England on May 11.

The World Nineball Tour's (WNT) world No. 5 plans to treat his mother to a staycation after pocketing US$40,000.

He said: "It feels amazing and that all my hard work and sacrifice, as well as that of those around me, from all these years have paid off.

"I sacrificed my youth for this game and it has worked out... I feel so happy and relieved because to win an event like this has been a huge part of my dreams. I would also like to dedicate this win to my mother and thank her for all that she has done for me."