Shane Wolford will make his Mosconi Cup debut this year after being named as the final American wildcard, while Joshua Filler completed an unchanged European team.
Wolford’s hopes of a maiden appearance suffered a blow somewhat when Fedor Gorst was announced as an American player, although his stunning display in Vietnam proved enough to earn him a captain’s selection.
The Virginia-based ace would have finished third in the American points standings had Gorst not switched allegiances mid-season, so him clinching a debut was thoroughly deserved following his Chuck Markulis Memorial win earlier this year.
Wolford joins Skyler Woodward, Gorst, Shane van Boening and Tyler Styer on Jeremy Jones’ team as the Americans attempt to regain the cup for the first time in four years.
Two-time MVP Filler, meanwhile, was an almost certainly to feature on Ralph Eckert’s debut as captain, boasting one of the most impressive records in the history of the Mosconi Cup having become a mainstay on the European team.
Filler has reached the UK Open final and European Open semi-finals this season in the World Nineball Tour open championships, having also won the China Open and the Qatar Open as well as three Euro Tour titles under the WPA umbrella.
Germany’s Filler will be accompanied by world number one Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, David Alcaide, Jayson Shaw and Albin Ouschan on the European team, which is unchanged following last year’s triumphant campaign in Las Vegas.
The 2023 Mosconi Cup takes place from December 6-9 at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace, with the tournament broadcast via Sky Sports and DAZN amongst others.
