إيدي ميركس claims third three-cushion world title

By Omar Rahman • 28 September 2026, 03:45 • 2 mins read

إيدي ميركس beat باو فونغ فينه 50-39 in the Three-Cushion World Championship final in Blois on 27 September 2026. The Belgian claimed his third world title while the 2023 champion finished runner-up.

The UMB's 78th Three-Cushion World Championship ran in Blois, France, from 23 to 27 September.

إيدي ميركس beat باو فونغ فينه 50-39 in the final on 27 September, taking his third world title in three-cushion billiards. The win denied the Vietnamese player a second championship.

After the interval, باو فونغ فينه put together seven points to take a 30-24 lead. ميركس answered with a 15-point run and moved ahead 39-30. Vinh fought back, but Merckx finished the race to 50.

At 58, Merckx secured his third world title, following his earlier championships in 2006 and 2012.

Sporza

Runs of points decided the final

The match had opened with a six-point run that brought the players level at 8-8. At the interval, ميركس held a narrow 24-22 lead. His 15-point sequence then gave him control. Vinh's late resistance kept the finish close, but Merckx took the title.

The run changed everything.

A winner-takes-title focus also featured in the Saudi billiards championship report. This world final, though, turned on the players' contrasting scoring runs.

A runner-up finish after a strong route

باو فونغ فينه won the world championship in 2023 and came close to a second crown. He reached the final after a semi-final comeback against Turkey's تاسديمير تايفون.

According to DHnet and Thanh Nien, Merckx earned his place in the final by beating Egypt's Sameh Sidhom 50-47. Vinh advanced past Tayfun Tasdemir 50-48.

The 78th UMB Three-Cushion World Championship took place in Blois, France, from 23 to 27 September 2026.

UMB

Merckx took his third title. Vinh's runner-up finish was still a strong result, but it was not a championship. Vinh put together a seven-point run. Merckx's 15-point reply set him on course for the win.

Topics: Three-Cushion Billiards #Players & Athletes #Competitions & Events

UAE CUE Sports Desk

Omar Rahman

Omar Rahman is a UAE-based cue sports editor covering snooker, pool and billiards, with a focus on tournaments, rankings, rules, coaching, equipment and playing opportunities. His reporting is practical and detail-focused, helping readers understand both competitive pathways and the everyday realities of playing cue sports in the Emirates.