2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters First Round Match-Ups Announced

Defending World Pool Masters champion Thomas Engert will play Rodney Morris in the first round of play in 2008.

With 16 of the finest players in the world competing, there are no easy rides with eight race-to-eight, winner-breaks first round matches.

Defending champion Thomas Engert (Germany, right) will open proceedings as he squares up against Rodney Morris, one of the three Americans in the field. 

This is the first time in the competition's 16-year history that it will be staged in the USA and the players will be competing for a $62,000 prize fund, with the winner receiving $20,000.

US Open winner Shane Van Boening faces experienced former Mosconi Cup player Imran Majid of England, while Corey Deuel is up against Euro Tour veteran Christian Reimering of Germany.

England's current World Pool Champion Daryl Peach has a tricky looking opener against 2001 World Champion Mika Immonen (Finland), while countryman Mark Gray, the European No.1, faces a daunting prospect against the classy Alex Pagulayan.

Mosconi Cup team-mates Tony Drago (Malta) and Niels Feijen (Holland) will play each other in Round One, while there will be an intriguing encounter as five-times Masters champion Ralf Souquet (Germany), meets 18-year-old World Junior Champion Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan.

The final opening round match will see Filipino legend Francisco Bustamante meet Bruno Muratore of Italy.

"I believe this is the highest quality field that we have had in the Masters and looking at the first round matches, it is impossible to pick eight winners.” said a spokesman for event promoters Matchroom Sport.

"All the players will have to be at the very top of their games to progress and we are all looking forward to some exciting matches over three days of intense competition."

On the Friday evening the World Pool Trickshot Masters will be taking place at the same venue with six leading players entertaining the crowd with a variety of tricks and stunts.

Tickets & Session Times 

Friday 1pm: $10 - general admission, $25 - VIP

Friday 7pm: $5 - general admission, $10 – VIP (Word Pool Trickshot Masters)

Saturday 1pm: $10 - general admission, $25 – VIP

Saturday 7pm: $10 - general admission, $25 – VIP

Sunday 1pm: $15 - general admission, $30 - VIP

Sunday 7pm: $20 - general admission, $40 - VIP

All tickets are available from: www.playbca.com

The Players

1. Francisco Bustamante (Philippines), 2. Corey Deuel (USA), 3. Tony Drago (Malta), 4. Thomas Engert (Germany), 5. Niels Feijen (Holland), 6. Mark Gray (England), 7. Mika Immonen (Finland), 8. Ko Pin-yi (Chinese Taipei), 9. Imran Majid (England), 10. Rodney Morris (USA), 11. Bruno Muratore (Italy), 12. Alex Pagulayan (Philippines), 13. Daryl Peach (England), 14. Christian Reimering (Germany), 15. Ralf Souquet (Germany), 16. Shane Van Boening (USA)