Choi Geon-hwi wins PBA season opener for third career title

Professional billiard player Choi Geon-hwi (Welcomm Savings Bank) captured his third career PBA title by defeating Cho Jae-ho (NH Nonghyup Card) in a thrilling final at the season-opening tournament. The match concluded with Choi winning four sets to three (12-15, 3-15, 15-4, 15-12, 12-15, 11-4) at the PBA Stadium in KINTEX, Goyang.

This victory marks Choi's return to the top spot after a 15-month hiatus since his last win at the 8th tour of the 2024-2025 season. The championship title came with a prize of 100 million won, pushing his cumulative career earnings to 495.5 million won, positioning him sixth on the all-time prize money list. He is now on the verge of surpassing the 500 million won mark.

Choi staged a remarkable comeback after falling behind two sets to none. He rallied to win the third set 15-4 and then, trailing 5-12 in the fourth, produced a run of 10 points to secure the set 15-12, leveling the match. He continued his momentum, taking the fifth set 15-12, before dropping the sixth set 12-15. The decisive seventh set saw Choi's superior focus prevail as he extended a 4-3 lead with a seven-point run in the fourth inning, ultimately winning the set 11-4 to clinch the championship.

Reflecting on his win, Choi expressed his joy at reaching two consecutive finals, following the World Championship. "I always try to keep my mind at ease, and practice as if it were real, and real matches as if they were practice," he shared. "Consistently exercising in the morning and practicing billiards has become a habit, so I feel less pressure in matches."

The "Welcome Top Ranking" award for the highest average in a single match went to Lee Tae-hee, who recorded an average of 3.462 in the 128-player round. The PBA tour will continue with its second event, the High1 Resort Championship, scheduled to take place in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, from June 3rd to 9th.

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I am happy to reach the finals in two consecutive tournaments after the World Championship. I always try to keep my mind at ease, and practice as if it were real, and real matches as if they were practice. Consistently exercising in the morning and practicing billiards has become a habit, so I feel less pressure in matches.