Shane Van Boening completed his Florida redemption by defeating Alexander Kazakis 13-5 to win the 2026 Florida Open Pool Championship at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.

After falling short in the championship match one year earlier, the five-time US Open champion returned to the Florida Open final and produced a commanding performance to finally add the title to his collection.

Shane Van Boening Wins the 2026 Florida Open

Van Boening established control early in the final, winning the opening two racks before Kazakis responded in the third. The American quickly restored his advantage, capitalizing on a failed safety from the Greek to move 3-1 ahead.

Kazakis managed to keep himself within reach during the early stages. After Van Boening missed the 3-ball in the eighth rack, Kazakis converted a key bank shot and completed the clearance to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Van Boening Pulls Away

Any hopes of a sustained Kazakis comeback were quickly halted. At 6-3, Van Boening escaped a safety with an impressive jump shot before completing the runout and re-establishing his momentum.

Another major opportunity arrived for Kazakis with the score at 8-3, but a missed 9-ball proved costly. Van Boening punished the error and moved to 9-3, putting himself just four racks away from the championship.

Kazakis took the following rack after a Van Boening defensive attempt came up short, but a dry break immediately handed control back to the American.

Van Boening continued to pull away and reached 11-4 before Kazakis claimed his fifth rack of the match. A safety battle followed in the next rack, with Kazakis eventually attempting a difficult long bank on the 7-ball. The ball caught the edge of the pocket but stayed out, allowing Van Boening to reach the hill.

One rack later, Van Boening closed the tournament in fitting fashion with a break-and-run to complete the 13-5 victory.

“I felt like I should have won this tournament one year ago. I learnt from those mistakes and came back with one goal — redemption.”

A Strong Run Through the Florida Open Field

Van Boening’s victory capped an impressive week in Orlando. Earlier on the final day, he defeated Eklent Kaçi 11-6 in the semifinals to book his place in a second consecutive Florida Open championship match.

His route to the final included victories over four former World Champions, underlining the level of competition he had to overcome to reach the title match.

Van Boening said his Last 16 victory proved to be an important moment in his tournament, giving him confidence that he could make another deep run.

“After I beat Josh in the Last 16, I knew I had a real chance to go all the way. From that point, I just stayed focused and trusted my game.”

$40,000 Victory Boosts Van Boening’s Mosconi Cup Campaign

The Florida Open title earned Van Boening the US$40,000 first prize along with a significant haul of World Nineball Tour ranking points.

The result also moved him to the top of the Team USA rankings as the race for places at the 2026 Mosconi Cup continues.

With several major events still to come during the World Nineball Tour’s August USA Swing, Van Boening will now look to carry his Florida form into the remainder of the month.

World Nineball Tour Heads to Arizona

The next Matchroom Major is scheduled for August 13-16 with the inaugural Arizona Open Pool Championship at Quechan Casino Resort in Yuma, Arizona.

The tournament will feature a 128-player field competing in a single-elimination format for a total prize fund of US$125,000.

What You Need to Know

• Shane Van Boening defeated Alexander Kazakis 13-5 in the 2026 Florida Open final.
• The victory gave Van Boening the Florida Open title after he was beaten in the final one year earlier.
• Van Boening earned US$40,000 and valuable World Nineball Tour ranking points.
• He defeated Eklent Kaçi 11-6 in the semifinals and overcame four former World Champions during his run to the final.
• The result moved Van Boening to the top of the Team USA rankings in the race toward the 2026 Mosconi Cup.
• The World Nineball Tour’s next Matchroom Major is the Arizona Open, scheduled for August 13-16 in Yuma.