CLC sweeps the WSOP’s opening two events, the Foxens add to poker history, and the wins keep coming through SHRPO.
CLC students won both opening events of the 2026 WSOP. Philip Chun took Event #1 and Daniyal Gheba took Event #2, each earning his first bracelet. For the first time in CLC history, both opening titles belonged to our community.
And we had plenty more to celebrate. Kristen and Alex Foxen added two more bracelets to their remarkable careers, CLC members kept making final tables across Las Vegas, and the summer ended with more trophies at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.
CLC Wins Both Opening WSOP Events
Philip Chun won Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions for $400,000, outlasting a field of 20,488 entries and defeating Jalil Houssain heads-up.
Before the final day, Philip spent about an hour speaking with Kristen Foxen. After winning, he told PokerNews:
“And honestly, I would not be here holding the bracelet if it wasn’t for Kristen as my coach.”
Philip’s words capture why we coach. Being part of a student’s first bracelet win is a privilege. Celebrating two of them in the opening events made this a landmark summer for CLC.
Daniyal Gheba won Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed NLH for $502,985, earning his first WSOP bracelet and the biggest live tournament score of his career. He closed out the win on the Mothership stage.
The Foxens Keep Making Poker History
Kristen Foxen, the greatest female player of all time, further cemented her place in poker history with her sixth WSOP bracelet.
She won the $25,000 NLH High Roller for $1,773,083, beating a field of 345 entries for the biggest live tournament cash of her career at the time. Even with everything Kristen has already accomplished, she keeps reaching new milestones against the game’s toughest competition.
Alex Foxen, the best tournament player in the world, added his fourth career WSOP bracelet with a $594,246 victory in the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty.
With six WSOP final tables across the summer, Alex kept putting himself in position to win at the highest level. That consistency, alongside another bracelet, added to a résumé that already places him among the greats of tournament poker.
For CLC, there’s extra pride in seeing our coaches keep setting the standard while helping students win their first bracelets.
The coaches’ results didn’t end with the Foxens. Chance Kornuth reached the final table of the $25,000 NLH High Roller Six-Max, finishing sixth for $218,091.
Main Event Runs and More WSOP Results
There was plenty to cheer for deeper in the schedule, too. Kevin Ordet finished 104th in the WSOP Main Event, and Lara Eisenberg finished 156th. Both earned $65,000.
Ryan Eriquezzo finished 13th in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker for $94,000, working his way through a field of 11,769 entries.
More Winners Across Las Vegas
The trophies kept coming beyond the WSOP. Andrew Difeo won the Venetian DeepStack Championship’s $1,600 NLH Event 62, earning $69,351 after a heads-up deal.
Hunter Rosling joined Andrew in the Venetian winner’s gallery, taking down the $1,100 NLH Bounty Event 81 on July 6 for a reported $41,016.
Mike Wilklow added another six-figure score for CLC, earning $165,300 with a sixth-place finish in the $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship at ARIA. His run took him all the way to the PokerGO final table.
Two More Titles at SHRPO
Daniyal Gheba wasn’t finished. In August, he followed his bracelet win with the $10,000 Eight-Handed NLH Event 60 title at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, earning $198,426 after a heads-up deal.
Vinny Picardi joined him in the winner’s circle, taking down the $400 Deep Stack NLH Event 61 outright for $10,934. Both Daniyal and Vinny collected their second Seminole Hard Rock major series trophies. A fitting finish to a summer that started with two bracelets.
From All of Us at CLC
To our bracelet winners, tournament champions and everyone who put together a run this summer: congratulations. You gave the CLC family a lot to celebrate.
And to every member who spent the summer reviewing hands, asking questions and supporting each other through the long tournament days: thank you. That work and support are a huge part of what makes CLC special.
We’re proud to coach you, proud to celebrate with you, and excited to see who’s next.
