Saving his best for last Gabe Owen completed an unlikely run to the 29th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship Sunday night in Chesapeake, Va., with a nearly flawless 11-3 drubbing of 2003 WPA World 9-Ball champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany.

The 26-year-old Owen, who lives in Tulsa, Okla., took advantage of Hohmann’s opening-rack miscue and never looked back in completing his undefeated run through the traditionally star-studded 191-player field.

Hohmann looked poised to take the early lead, running through the first rack with ease, but he botched a short shot on the 9 ball. Owen raced off to leads of 5-1 and 10-2, running out from the break on five occasions, before closing out his surprising victory. The Open title was Owen’s first professional major win, and earned him $30,000.

“I’m really in shock,” said Owen, who was bear-hugged by best friend and 2003 U.S. Open champ Jeremy Jones after the final 9 had dropped. “Everyone is telling me I played almost perfect, but to be honest, it’s all a blur right now.”

Hohmann, who also lost in the winner’s bracket final to Owen, picked up $15,000 for second place.