Two-time Mosconi Cup champion Billy Thorpe barred from US Open 2026: The 'two-major rule' and the financial trap of World Nineball Tour

On August 7, 2026, Billy Thorpe was told he could no longer compete at the US Open Championship in Atlantic City. Thorpe was a two-time Mosconi Cup champion and a prominent figure in American 9-ball. The reason was not related to his performance. According to the World Nineball Tour attendance rule, a player must not miss more than two "major" events in a season to remain eligible for Mosconi Cup selection. Thorpe had missed three events: the European Open in March, the UK Open in May and the Arizona Open in June. He was informed just before a scheduled match and reacted with disappointment, saying it was "one of the dumbest rules I have seen in pool." Thorpe accepted responsibility for his absent decisions but pointed out that financial constraints had played a major role. Travelling to every major event means paying for flights, hotels and entry fees, often with no guaranteed return. While top players may have sponsorship support, established professionals outside the elite group are more vulnerable. Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Ronel Nalaunan were also reported among the players affected by the rule, indicating that this is not an isolated case. The controversy exposes a structural problem in the American 9-ball ecosystem. A strict participation quota, if combined with unequal financial conditions, can remove experienced players from the lineup without them losing any match. This creates a risk that team events such as the Mosconi Cup may lose their competitive quality. The onus is now on World Nineball Tour to clarify the definition of a major event, communicate the rule transparently and consider whether the attendance threshold truly protects the sport or simply places an unfair burden on players with limited financial flexibility. The incident involving Thorpe may trigger a broader governance debate about the sustainability of the 9-ball tour.