via AZBilliards
Van Boening Finally Cracks the Florida Open
Shane Van Boening returned to the Florida Open final and left with the title this time, beating Alexander Kazakis 13-5 in a dominant performance at the Caribe Royale Resort.
Shane Van Boening came back to Florida with unfinished business and took care of it in a big way. According to AZBilliards, the five-time US Open champion defeated Alexander Kazakis 13-5 to win the 2026 Florida Open Pool Championship — the title that slipped away from him at the same event a year prior.
It wasn’t close. Van Boening controlled the match from start to finish, putting together the kind of week-long run that separates the all-time greats from everyone else. He credited a pivotal Round of 16 win over Josh — as noted in his post-match comments via AZBilliards — as the moment he locked in and stopped thinking about anything but the next rack.
For those keeping track, this is another major trophy added to one of the most decorated resumes in American pool. Van Boening also pointed to this win as serious fuel heading into the rest of the competitive calendar.
Redemption stories don’t always land the way you draw them up. This one did.
Our weekly 9-ball night runs Thursdays — see you on a table.