It Still Feels Like A Dream For Yapp

S'porean pool player overcomes self-doubts to become first to win back-to-back Majors

- Melvyn Teoh

Reclaiming top spot by the end of 2025 is likely to be out of reach for Singapore's Aloysius Yapp, but there was some consolation for the world No. 3 on Aug 10 when he clinched his second pool Major title at the Florida Open.

In May, he notched a career milestone on Mother's Day, when he defeated Spaniard Jonas Souto 13-1 in the final of the US$200,000 (S$259,000) UK Open in Telford, England for his first Major win on the World Nineball Tour.

This time, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, Yapp had to bounce back from 5-1 down to beat American world No. 12 Shane van Boening 13-10 and claim the US$40,000 top prize.

He is the first player to achieve back-to-back Major titles on the tour.

"It feels unbelievable, it still feels like a dream to me. I started off the year just hoping that I would do well and hopefully win a Major, but winning two... I just can't believe it," said the 29-year-old former world No. 1, who has over US$236,000 in earnings.