Three on the Trot in Yapp's Major Feat

World No. 2 exorcises ghosts of the past, beats Gorst in tight final for US Open title

- David Lee

After years of toil and the heartbreak of the 2021 final defeat, Singapore's top pool pro Aloysius Yapp finally got his hands on the coveted US Open Barry Behrman trophy and the prestigious green jacket that comes with the win.

On Aug 23, the 29-year-old beat world No. 1 Fedor Gorst 13-11 in a nail-biting three-hour final at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City after an 11-4 semi-final win over another former world champion - Taiwanese Ko Pin-yi.

In the process, he became the first player to win three consecutive Matchroom major titles after claiming the UK Open in May and the Florida Open earlier in August.

No one had even won back-to-back majors before Yapp landed his first two. After completing his hat-trick at the US$500,000 (S$641,000) event, the southpaw said: "This is definitely top of the achievements because I know how prestigious this is.

"I'm speechless right now. I can't believe it. I gave him so many chances, but I also got so lucky. I feel so relieved now.

"My hands were shaking - I couldn't even hold the cue straight."

With US$100,000 at stake, even the best in the business felt the nerves from the big occasion.