Another One Bites the Dust: Wei Grounded by Visa Woes
Another contender for the $2-million purse at the International Pool Tour’s North American 8-Ball Championship has withdrawn from the running. Liu Wei of China, who won a qualifier to compete in the event in Shanghai in mid-June, officially opted out July 20 after the U.S. government rejected his travel visa. With the event only two days away, IPT officials chose Lee Heuwagen to replace Wei.
Heuwagen played in multiple IPT qualification tournaments. He was the second of only two players to place third in two North American Open qualifiers, a performance statistic that landed him in the number two spot on the alternate list after Keith Bennett, who will replace Hall-of-Famer Jim Rempe.
IPT officials informed Heuwagen yesterday that he would need to get a plane ticket to Las Vegas. The event will take place July 22-31 at The Venetian. Heuwagen was very excited to hear the news, though he did state that he was disappointed for Wei’s unfortunate circumstance.
“Yikes!” or “Whew…”: IPT North American Groupings Announced
“Yikes!” or “Whew…”: IPT North American Groupings Announced
Jul 14, 2006, 9:44 AM
Several top pool pros won’t be sleeping too soundly for the next week, now that they know the identities of their opponents in the first round of the International Pool Tour’s North American 8-Ball Open Championship.
Among those who might have trouble catching some “zees” are Karen Corr, Cory Deuel, Charles “Hillbilly” Bryant, and Kim Davenport. On the other hand, Allison Fisher and 13-year-old Austin Murphy look to be pretty well rested.
The $2 million, 200-player event — with a $350,000 first-place prize — kicks off Sunday, July 23, at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev.
The IPT announced the first-round groupings — composed of 40 sets of five players each — on Thursday. After round-robin play, the top three finishers in each group will proceed to the next round. Eliminated players from the first round will each receive $2,000.
The complete list of groupings is available at the IPT Web site: www.internationalpooltour.com.
However, we’ll point out a few of the more remarkable first-round matchups to get the inevitable debate and buzz started. In no particular order:
Group 20 — International Incident
A big-time pro is going home with $2,000 — and the lonely, agonizing plane ride could be transcontinental. The round’s toughest group is topped by former world 9-ball champions Mika Immonen (Finland) and Oliver Ortmann (Germany). They’re closely followed by tough-as-nails American Charles “Hillbilly” Bryant and the wily Gandy Valle from the Philippines. If “Gentleman” Jim Raney (USA) can make it out of this group, he deserves a $10,000 bonus.
Group 14 — Cakewalk
It’s dangerous to call any group a “gimme,” because there are so many relatively unknown international players in the IPT. You can bet there will be several surprises along the way. But Brit snooker and 9-ball ace Allison Fisher looks like a lock to get past group 14, populated by middling and/or obscure players Grady Matthews (USA), Andreja Klasovic (Serbia/Montenegro), Marko Lohtander (Finland), and Jeff Abernathy (USA).
Group 32 — Dogfight of the Sleepers
Fans might not know all these names, but one or two of these guys are sure to be around late in the event. The group features rough road player Steve Moore (USA), 2006 Derby City Master of the Table winner Jason Miller (USA), resurgent 9-ball pro Kim Davenport (USA), and Canadian aces Paul Potier and Tyler Edey.
Group 18 — Bloodbath
A top player is going to go down here. This one looks like the semifinals roster from a Reno Open, with multitalented Shannon Daulton (USA) facing off against Canadian stalwart (and, coincidentally, 2005 Reno Open winner) Ronnie Wiseman, former BD Player of the Year Cory Deuel (USA), Chicago 8-ball machine Ike Runnels, and sneaky veteran Pete Fusco (USA).
Group 2 — No Rest for the Invader
Ireland’s Karen Corr will have her work cut out for her against Holland’s top pro Niels Feijen, China’s no-nonsense Wei-Liu, underrated 8-baller Greg Hogue (USA) and Hall-of-Famer Ray Martin. But Corr went 4-1 in the first round of December’s IPT King of the Hill event, so look for her to pass with honors.
Group 5 — Let’s go, Austin!
Okay, we’re (unofficially) rooting for 13-year-old Austin Murphy, who is no slouch, by the way. He just won his second consecutive title at the BCA Junior Nationals, and he can hold his own against the big guys. He has an excellent chance to get out of his first-round group, where he will face Danny Basavich (USA), Hall-of-Famer Ewa Laurance (USA), and little-known qualifiers Sam Monday (USA) and Anthony Ginn (England).
Ten New Players Qualify for the IPT
In the second-to-last week of qualification tournaments, 10 new players have earned the right to play in the International Pool Tour’s “IPT North American Open 8-Ball Championship,” which will be held July 22 at the Venetian, Las Vegas:
Anthony Ginn
Corey Harper
Gary Abood
Jianbo Fu
Jonathan Penegar
Karl Boyes
Louis Condo
Scott Frost
Teddy Garrahan
Wei Liu
By placing first or second in their respective qualifiers, these players will be playing for more than $2,000,000 in prize money and a first place prize of $350,000, as well as a place on the money list at the North American Open. Each of them are also guaranteed a minimum of $2,000 for qualifying and playing, even if they fail to win a single game at the event. If they do well at the event, they have the chance to be in the top 100 on the money list at the end of 2006, thus qualifying for a 2007 tour card. IPT officials say that a 2007 tour card is worth a minimum of $100,000.
There are still spots left in two of the five remaining qualification tournaments, each taking place starting June 23:
Las Vegas, NV: Lou Butera’s Pool Sharks
Tulsa, OK: Magoo’s