30–31 January & 1 February | Hosted at Club9
Event Snapshot
- Players Registered: 90
- Format: Group Stage → Knockout
- Progression: Top 3 from each group
- Final Bracket: 64 players
- Seeded Players: 57 (with byes)
Total Prize Pool: $14,000+
Final Knockout Bracket:
- Format: Group Stage → Knockout
- Progression: Top 3 from each group
- Final Bracket: 64 players
- Seeded Players: 57 (with byes)
Total Prize Pool: $14,000+
Final Knockout Bracket:
The field was exceptionally strong, featuring multiple national champions alongside returning Masters competitors and a large group of new entrants.
Notable Competitors
Elite & Established Players
Returning to the Masters
First-Time Masters Entrants
Cameron Dunne, Neil Perkins, Noor Rad, Moti Pakharin, Tom Steel, Liam Ross, Noah Figliuzzi, Matt Pisano, Alex Pace, Dinesh Sookgreep, Hadi Cherri, Mehdi Heydari, Zvonimir Maranic, Richard Fuchs
Knockout Stage Quality
The knockout rounds delivered exactly what was anticipated — high-level tactical play, heavy pressure situations, and multiple hill-hill finishes as the depth of the field came to the fore.
Special Awards
Furthest Female: Jing Liu • Kate Harrison
Best Rookie/Intermediate: Shaun Matthews • Scott McMahon
Bounty on Justin Sajich: John Wims (Semi Final)
Best Rookie/Intermediate: Shaun Matthews • Scott McMahon
Bounty on Justin Sajich: John Wims (Semi Final)
In addition to the advertised payouts, prize money was extended all the way to 32nd place, a welcome surprise for many competitors.
Semi Finals
Barry Mavros vs John Bowkett
A high-tempo clearance showcase. Experience and composure saw Barry Mavros overcome former English Junior World Champion John Bowkett.
John Wims vs Justin Sajich. An absorbing contest with repeated momentum swings. Spectators widely regarded it as one of the matches of the tournament, with Wims edging through in a pressure finish.
A high-tempo clearance showcase. Experience and composure saw Barry Mavros overcome former English Junior World Champion John Bowkett.
John Wims vs Justin Sajich. An absorbing contest with repeated momentum swings. Spectators widely regarded it as one of the matches of the tournament, with Wims edging through in a pressure finish.
The Final — Race to 9
John Wims vs Barry Mavros
The opening frames were evenly shared before a series of dry and foul breaks shifted control. Wims produced near-perfect execution, missing only a single difficult black into the side pocket.
Post-match, Mavros praised Wim’s performance and reflected positively on victories over Joe Chao and Danny Stone en route to the final.
Acknowledgements
Wims publicly thanked CueWorld Events and Tournament Director Kate Harrison, noting that: Club9 sets the benchmark for high-quality pool tournaments in the Southern Hemisphere.
The opening frames were evenly shared before a series of dry and foul breaks shifted control. Wims produced near-perfect execution, missing only a single difficult black into the side pocket.
Post-match, Mavros praised Wim’s performance and reflected positively on victories over Joe Chao and Danny Stone en route to the final.
Acknowledgements
Wims publicly thanked CueWorld Events and Tournament Director Kate Harrison, noting that: Club9 sets the benchmark for high-quality pool tournaments in the Southern Hemisphere.
Operational Learnings
Shot Clock
Applied at the discretion of referees or tournament director
Mandatory once introduced
Focused on maintaining schedule integrity
Mandatory once introduced
Focused on maintaining schedule integrity
Seeding Process (from next Masters)
Group winners seeded first
Ordered by highest FargoRate
Remaining players randomised via Digital Pool
Ordered by highest FargoRate
Remaining players randomised via Digital Pool
Streaming
Live streaming was unavailable due to Digital Pool resources being committed to the Derby City Classic. This will be prioritised for future Masters events.
Next Masters Event
Sydney 9 Ball Masters
15–17 May 2026
Registrations Open: 27 April 2026
Registrations Close: 11 May 2026
15–17 May 2026
Registrations Open: 27 April 2026
Registrations Close: 11 May 2026
Summary:
With elite competition, expanded payouts, strong attendance and world-class playing conditions, the Sydney 8 Ball Masters continues to establish itself as one of Australia’s premier pool tournaments. Sponsorship discussions are now underway for the remaining Masters events.
