The 'miss no more than two majors' rule turns Billy Thorpe into a victim of American pool

Two-time Mosconi Cup champion Billy Thorpe has been disqualified from the US team selection for this year's event after missing three major tournaments. The decision was communicated to him just before his match at the US Open. Thorpe calls the rule 'one of the dumbest rules in pool.' The World Nineball Tour's regulation allows players to skip no more than two majors per season. Thorpe missed the European Open, UK Open and Arizona Open, citing travel costs and family responsibilities as father of two young children. This rule seems designed to force star players to appear at events, but it ignores financial inequality among professionals. Other respected players like Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Ronel Nalaunan are also caught by the same rule. Thorpe claims he only heard warnings informally and was not fully aware of the consequences. The lack of transparency and a fair appeals process makes the rule even more questionable. While WNT argues that strict attendance preserves the prestige of the Mosconi Cup, the policy may drive away the very players who built its reputation. A two-time champion sidelined for financial reasons sends a damaging signal to the entire industry. The situation raises deeper questions about whether American pool's governance is protecting athletes or protecting commercial interests.