Two-time Mosconi Cup champion Billy Thorpe loses eligibility after missing three majors

Billy Thorpe was checking his cue at the US Open when organizers confirmed a piece of news he did not expect: Billy Thorpe is not eligible for the Mosconi Cup. The reason is not missed shots or injury; it comes from a participation rule of the World Nineball Tour (WNT). He missed the European Open in March, the UK Open in May, and the Arizona Open, or three major events. The qualification rule requires each player not to miss more than two majors in the selection cycle. The Mosconi Cup is the most prestigious team event in American 9-ball, pitting Team USA against Team Europe. For a professional player, earning a spot means being ranked among the best. Billy Thorpe has won the event twice, so the news of ineligibility is a shock rather than a simple administrative issue. Notably, he has not lost form on the table; he lost his right to compete because he could not arrange his schedule to play three majors in the same period. Thorpe openly called it one of the hardest rules he has seen in pool. He did not blame organizers, but he stressed the financial side. For a player who pays his own travel costs, flying to every major is a heavy burden. He said airfare, hotels, and travel time sometimes outweigh the prize money he can earn. At some events, the nearest airport was three to four hours from where he lives. Missing a tournament for financial reasons, therefore, is not the same as disrespecting the tournament. Thorpe’s case exposes a paradox in how the WNT operates. The rule creates a penalty that feels too heavy: missing three majors removes a player from the Mosconi Cup race, no matter how good his previous results were. Meanwhile, many other pool systems in the world use rankings and results to award wildcard spots. A two-time champion falling out of the selection process because of absence, rather than because rivals played better, forces experts to reconsider the purpose of this prestigious event. Thorpe is not the only player affected. Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Ronel Nalaunan are also mentioned among players facing the same kind of rule. Within the circle, there are rumors that some players have been warned to attend major events if they want to stay in contention. That creates real pressure: on one hand, they understand the value of the Mosconi Cup; on the other, they must decide whether attending every major is financially possible. Looking at the wider American pool ecosystem, this rule could have broader effects. Mid-tier players without major sponsorship deals will feel the most pressure. They cannot skip events, but if they chase a crowded schedule, they will soon burn out and lose their peak sharpness. If they choose events with better prize money, they may be removed by the qualification rule itself. This loop risks pushing experienced players away and leaving a declining level of competition. Billy Thorpe’s story will not end after the US Open. The WNT needs to clarify the definition of major and consider each player’s circumstances, especially when the reason for missing an event is cost rather than indifference. Will the rule be relaxed, or will a two-time champion have to accept the role of spectator? For American pool followers, this is a moment to rethink how the governing body chooses its players for the most important tournament.