Mike Dechaine
DESPITE missing the recent Turning Stone event, the third to last qualifier in the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup USA Rankings, Mike Dechaine reclaimed the top spot, edging Shane Van Boening into second place.
This was because players are allowed to ditch their worst finish in the ten event series, and due to the fact that Dechaine was representing the USA in the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool in Manila, he did not compete at Turning Stone.
Therefore his zero points from the event became his worst placed finish and his previous worst effort of 33 points, returned to his tally. Other movers included Johnny Archer, chasing his 15th consecutive Mosconi appearance, who climbed into the top five for the first time.
Mosconi veteran Rodney Morris, who took the title at Turning Stone, climbed to No.4, padding the top five with plenty of experience. Shawn Putnam, who flew the flag in 2005, moved up one to third spot.
The US Mosconi Cup Ranking consists of 10 events throughout the United States, culminating in the US Open in October. Points will be allocated as per the BCA Points List and each event will be weighted depending on total purse, size of field and number of top-ranked players competing.
Only players finishing in the last 32 of each event will be allocated points and players will be allowed to drop their worst finish of the ten event series. At the conclusion, after the 2011 US Open, the top three players will automatically gain entry to the Mosconi Cup side.
The remaining two players will be Matchroom Sport wildcard picks although the ranking will play a part in this.
The final two events left to determine the American Mosconi Cup team are the Steve Mizerak Championship (16-18 September) and finally, the US Open 9-Ball Championship (16-22 October).
