by InsidePOOL Staff

Justin Bergman came close to sweeping both divisions of the April 21-22 stop of the Great Southern Billiard Tour, taking the 8-ball event but getting stopped by Landon Shuffett in the 9-ball finals. The two-pronged tournament was hosted by Michael’s Billiards in Fairfield, OH, and featured a $2,000-added prize purse.

Daulton, Landon Shuffett, Justin Bergman, Mike Medley - owner of Michael's Billiards

In the $500-added 8-ball event, a field of 30 participated. Bergman ended up in the hot seat match after a 7-1 routing of Brad Ragon, while Corey Morphew defeated T. J. Back 6-1. In their handicapped match, it was Morphew edging out Bergman 6-6.

Ragon went on to fall to Shuffett 7-3 and tie for fifth place with Back, who was eliminated by Billy Thorpe 6-1. Shuffett went on to oust Thorpe in fourth place after a 7-3 quarterfinal win. The semifinals went hill-hill, but Bergman was determined to reach Morphew for a rematch and took it 7-6. In the finals, it was all Bergman, as he raced ahead to win the title over Morphew 7-1.

The 9-ball division garnered one fewer player but offered a $1,500-added purse. Bergman bested Robert Frost 11-8 in the winners’ side final four, as Bruce Lutrell defeated Shuffett 8-11. The hot seat match belonged to Bergman, who didn’t even allow Lutrell one game in their race to 11.

On the west side of the chart, Shuffett was making a beeline for the finals, ousting Clay Carman 9-4 in fifth place and then Frost 11-1 in the quarterfinals. Lutrell was his next victim and was relegated to third place 11-2. Shuffett dominated the final match against Bergman as well, claiming it 11-4.

Daulton, Justin Bergman, Corey Morphew, Mike Medley - owner of Michael's Billiards

8-Ball Results:
1st Justin Bergman $400
2nd Corey Morphew $300
3rd Landon Shuffett $200
4th Billy Thorpe $100
5th Brad Ragon $50
T. J. Back
7th Shannon Murphey $25
Mike Burnette

9-Ball Results:
1st Landon Shuffett $750
2nd Justin Bergman $500
3rd Bruce Lutrell $350
4th Robert Frost $225
5th Clay Carman $100
Chuck Raulston
7th John Giles $50
Billy Thorpe