Earl Strickland’s pursuit of a historic sixth US Open title came to an end on Day Two, while former US Open champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and World Champion Carlo Biado both faced huge scares to keep their campaigns alive as the battle for the Last 64 intensified in Frisco, Texas.

Earl Strickland rolled back the years on the opening day of the 2026 US Open Pool Championship, defeating Eklent Kaçi in a dramatic hill-hill battle, while defending champion Aloysius Yapp, Shane Van Boening and World Champion Carlo Biado all safely progressed through the opening stage in Frisco, Texas.

New national awards program celebrates 14 legendary players, entertainers, instructors, events, companies, publications and industry leaders in honor of America’s 250th anniversary