World Pool Masters

The World Pool Masters has established itself as the game’s premier invitational tournament and the list of winners reads like a who's who of all the greats of the modern game. Players like Earl Strickland, Ralf Souquet and Francisco Bustamante have all lifted this coveted trophy, with the German Souquet having claimed it on a record five occasions.

In 2003, there was a shock winner as Malta's Tony Drago, better known as a popular snooker player, defied the odds to beat Alex Pagulayan, Nick van den Berg and Earl Strickland before overcoming Taiwan's Hsia Hui-kai to claim the title.

The 2004 final was an all-German affair as European Champion Thomas Engert overcame Oliver Ortmann to win the coveted title and in 2005, rising star Raj Hundal claimed victory as he cruised through a select field.

The 2006 event saw Germany's Ralf Souquet claim glory for the fifth time. The World Pool Masters featured 16 of the world’s top cue-men, including superstars from Holland, Sweden, Philippines, Taiwan, USA and the United Kingdom.

There was further German glory in Holland in 2007 as 2004 champion Thomas Engert claimed his second Masters title in four years, beating Spain's impressive David Alcaide 8-3 in the final.

The 2008 event moved to the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, and in a thrilling final Finland's Mika Immonen led 6-3 over Alex Pagulayan but the Filipino fought back to win 8-6. This year, World 10-Ball Champ, Darren Appleton, became the second Englishman in five years to take the crown.