McEvoy is WSOP champion's champion
For newly crowned 2009 World Series of Poker Champions Invitational winner Tom McEvoy, this event was about much more than just the 1970 Corvette Stingray he won Sunday.
"The car was just the frosting on the cake," McEvoy told PokerListings.
"Beating all my colleagues that were talented enough to win the Main Event was what it was really about."
To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Series of Poker, the Champions Invitational brought together 20 Main Event champions to compete for the car and the newly created Binion's Cup.
McEvoy, who won the WSOP Main Event in 1983 when there were just 108 entrants and a $540,000 first-place prize, said winning this prestigious event was also about gaining the respect of the entire poker world.
"I'm totally overjoyed," he said. "One of the reasons I was so determined to win this was to reestablish myself and prove, not only to myself, but to everybody else, that I can still do this."
After a first day Sunday that saw a huge crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the star-studded field, the final table began Monday with Carlos Mortensen holding the lead.
2008 WSOP champ Peter Eastgate was actually the first to hit the rail taking ninth before two-time Main Event winner Doyle Brunson said goodbye in eighth position.
Short stacks Berry Johnson and Huck Seed were given the gate in seventh and sixth respectively when suddenly Jim Bechtel doubled through Mortensen, knocking him down to size.
A few hands later Bechtel hit a set against Mortensen's top pair and it was all over for the 2001 Main Event champion.
McEvoy sent Bechtel home fourth and after 2002 Main Event champ Robert Varkonyi doubled through Dan Harrington, all three players remaining appeared evenly stacked.
Three-handed play turned out to be an epic four-hour battle before McEvoy sent Harrington packing.
He waltzed into heads-up holding a 3:1 chip lead and ended Varkonyi's hopes in short order.
"I had a great time and it was a great success for me to even come in second," Varkonyi said. "I would have loved to win it, but these are all champions. It was probably the toughest field ever."
Now the champion of champions, McEvoy is putting the 2009 World Series of Poker on notice.
"I think I proved that I can compete at the highest level against the best players in the world," he said.
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Comments
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Mr. Bill Scher (SD)
2009-07-15Awesome achievement! Top Gun...beating "the best of the best". Making a big statement like that always feels good! Hope to see you in SD.
HOF for sure!
stew ansteth
2009-06-14I`ve always known you could do this. I`m very happy you are putting yourself out there again. I`m also happy to call you my friend.
Maggie Madden
2009-06-10This is wonderful ! Congratulations!! Just goes to show that you are definitely the best of the best. I always knew you were to. :) Love you! Way to go!
Sister Marcia
2009-06-10Way to go brother! I just found out about your win via an e-mail from Melanie. We are all so proud of you! Mom and Dad would be so proud! Love you!
Jim Ward
2009-06-06Tom, you are a disciplined survivor. World champions will come and go but few stand up to the test of time. You will always be among the very best. Congratulations from your friend in Alaska.
Don Hart, Dayton
2009-06-04You're a great poker champion, Tom. Here's wishing you more victories in the future.
Joe VandenBerg
2009-06-03Way to go Tom!! Gail, the kids and I are all proud of you. Bring some pics of the vet you won next time your up this way visiting.
Nick Gullo
2009-06-03Tom is also a Champion of Champions in life . He gives inspiration and hope to all that know him.
Tom should be an easy nomination for the Poker Hall of Fame.
In my book, he is already in it.
Whit1
2009-06-03Congrats Tom from an old CC'62 classmate. You brought home one not only for yourself, but also for the more chronologically gifted set.
Rosanne & Juston Wright
2009-06-03Hey Champ; Hope you were feeling some of that good "Sweating" we were sending your way. We're still smiling Big Time for you. Thrilled to pieces that you won--you were our only choice! Can we borrow the car for a quickie?--ride that is..... Love you Tom. Rosanne and Juston Wright
Yolanda Stock
2009-06-03Good Job honey! Wow, a boyfriend with a corvette, ssssssssssss hot!!!!!!
Love you
Bryant
2009-06-03He always had it... he just likes to slow play it. Way to go Uncle T.
Milt & Phyllis Meyers
2009-06-03Tom,
Phyllis & I were in the stands rooting for you, as you know we are part of the old farts club and couldn't stay up to watch the end.
We are so very proud of you and happy for you. You still have it and this time you showed it.
Bro-Steve
2009-06-03My my............ look what happens when the best poker field in the world is over confident, and underestimates a "Steady Eddy" workhorse of the poker world. Tom, you still got it!!! S
Steve & Carol Ann
2009-06-02Steve says I knew it along. Carol Ann says it's about time. Love ya!
Long Beach Dan
2009-06-02Grandma IS Proud! (and she wants small share...)
Kurt Schneiter
2009-06-02Tom:
The world now knows what the rest of us were thinking. You deserve to sit with the best and have them fear your next move.
Congratulations
PS
I want a ride in your vet also.
John Schneiter
2009-06-02Congrat's Tom,
Overdue and well earned in that crowd.
TGS sent me the article. He is overdue as well. Wish I could be there to drive everyone nutz with my unique playing style. :)
Have fun and take another one down!
Joliet Jack
Dan Sheetz
2009-06-02Congratulations Tom! A well deserved win for a true legend in the game of poker.
Through your books, and through those you've coached, you've helped create a generation of great players. I'm proud to be mentored by someone who was mentored by you (Paul Z).
Cheers to you Tom!
Paul Zibits
2009-06-02Congrats, Tom! Followed the blow-by-blow all day.
You deserved this win for sure against the greatest players out there.
On a side note, just want to thank you for all the great poker advice and friendship over the years.
I want a ride in your 'vette!!
See you soon at this year's WSOP!
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