2026 Island US Open
Left to Right: Dean Roeseler, Promoter and WPBA President, Savannah Easton, runner up, Robin Halfaday Asst. GM Island Resort and Casino, Rita Chou, Champion, Greg Schultz, Sponsor.
2 out of 3 ain't bad for "Rita" Chou & Easton has her best finish yet
The 2026 WPBA Island US Open delivered everything fans could have hoped for — electrifying performances, dramatic battles, and a showcase of the very best talent in women’s professional pool. With $60,000 added and a world-class field assembled at the stunning Island Resort & Casino, the event stood as a shining example of excellence, intensity, and global competition.
At the center of it all was Chieh-Yu “Rita” Chou, who continued her remarkable rise with a dominant, statement-making performance. Chou stormed through the tournament undefeated, displaying precision, poise, and relentless consistency against an elite lineup. Her path to the title was nothing short of extraordinary, defeating a gauntlet of world-class opponents including Han Yu, Ashley Rice, Tzu-Chien Wei, Margarita Fefilova Styer, Meng-Hsia Hung, and Silviana Lu before closing out her championship run against Savannah Easton in the finals.
This victory marks Chou’s second title in the last three WPBA events, solidifying her status as one of the most formidable and in-form players on the planet today. Her composure under pressure and clinical execution throughout the event defined a truly championship-caliber performance.
On the other side of the story was the incredible run of Savannah Easton, who delivered a breakthrough performance that will be remembered as a defining moment in her career. Easton showcased grit, resilience, and heart in a spectacular B-side charge after suffering a razor-thin 8-7 hill-hill loss to Brittany Bryant early in the event.
Refusing to back down, Easton mounted an inspiring comeback, battling through a stacked field by defeating Sakura Muramatsu, Shui Ching Chiang, Ashley Rice, Teruko Macklin, Pia Filler, Chia Hua Chen, avenging her earlier loss against Brittany Bryant, and continuing her surge past Tzu-Chien Wei and Silviana Lu to earn her spot in the finals.
Though she ultimately fell to Chou, Easton’s runner-up finish stands as the best result of her career to date, and a powerful statement that she is a rising force on the WPBA Tour.
The 2026 WPBA Island US Open was more than just a tournament — it was a celebration of elite competition, sportsmanship, and the continued growth of the women’s professional game. The event featured unforgettable matches, clutch performances, and a level of play that captivated audiences from start to finish.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible host venue, Island Resort & Casino, for providing a first-class setting that elevated the entire experience for players and fans alike.
The WPBA also extends its deep appreciation to its valued tour sponsors — Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith Balls, and Simonis Cloth — whose continued support makes events of this magnitude possible.
From dominant champions to breakout performances, the 2026 WPBA Island US Open will be remembered as a thrilling, high-caliber showcase of excellence — and a powerful reminder of why the WPBA Tour continues to represent the pinnacle of women’s professional pool.
Final 8 Results
1st – Chieh-Yu “Rita” Chou — $17,000
2nd – Savannah Easton — $12,000
3rd – Silviana Lu — $7,500
4th – Tzu-Chien Wei — $5,500
5th/6th – Brittany Bryant & Meng-Hsia Hung — $4,200 each
7th/8th – Chia Hua Chen & Kelly Fisher — $3,300 each
9th–12th — $2,500 each
Pia Filler, Margarita Fefilova Styer, Kristina Tkach, Joann Mason Parker
13th–16th — $1,800 each
Jasmin Ouschan, Rubilen Amit, Xin Yu Hong, Teruko Macklin
17th–24th — $1,200 each
Ashley Rice, Joanne Ashton, Kristina Zlateva, Sakura Muramatsu, Pearl Chiang, Monica Webb, Sofia Mast, Kennedy Meyman
25th–32nd — $625 each
Olga Konkina, Wen-Ling Wang, Janet Atwell, Kia Bennett, Shanna Lewis, Briana Miller, Caroline Pao, Lisa Cousette
FULL BRACKET AND RESULTS HERE: https://digitalpool.com/tournaments/2026-wpba-island-us-open/overview
