Frederic Caudron of Belgium faced fellow countryman Eddy Merckx in the finals of the inaugural McCreery Champion of Champions Tournament. The two friends and rivals both knew whatever the outcome the match would make history. And once again it was Caudron who proved why he currently sits on top of International 3-cushion billiards as the world ranked number 1 player and reigning world champion. With a demonstration of skill, concentration and determination he powered his way to a 50-35 victory in 23 innings (2.174 average, high run of 9) to take the trophy, the title and the $150,000 first place prize.

He just came from the billiard table after his victory in the Pan American final and ran straight into a microphone. Colombian Pedro Gonzalez (above left) had just won the most important event in his career and stammered with a trembling voice: "This is for my country, this is for Colombia.'' The emotions were understandable. The 42-year old from Bogota had never achieved a major victory before and now was the Pan American Champion. A fellow Colombian Jose Juan Garcia  was runner-up (above right).

The fourth World Cup of 2018 held in Porto Portugal July 2-8 marked a return to the top for the world's best player. Frédéric Caudron marched almost unchallenged to his second world cup win of the season defeating Tayfun Tasdemir of Turkey for the title. It was his twentieth world cup in his career.

The three-cushion national championship has been held in Italy for forty-five years. The great Marco Zanetti now owns twenty-seven of those titles, having once again dominated the field. Leading in points, average and high run, Zanetti becomes the 2018 Italian national champion.

The Portuguese veteran Paulo Andrade has won the title in three cushion in Portugal in a tournament with eight players. It was his second tittle.

Dick Jaspers has made a statement to the world as he decisively won the 2018 UMB World Cup #3 held in Blankenberge, Belgium. After winning his semi-final match with runs of both 16 and 14 Jaspers could not have looked more ready. And ready he was in the final as he won the lag, ran 7 and never looked back in defeating a determined but outgunned Semih Sayginer.

At the age of 35, Rubén Legazpi played his first final match in the Spanish title race. And what an effort it was as Legazpi emerged as the chamoion of Spain. The newly crowned champion defeated the former champion David Martinez 40-24 in 18 innings in the final match after a brilliant start with 11-0-9 (20-5 in 3 innings). The victory is one of the highlights in Legazpi's career.

The 31-year-old Sameh Sidhom has conquered his second African title in Cairo. In a tournament with sixteen players from five different countries, played in May in the Armor House hotel, Sidhom was the strongest with 1.610 general average.