Exclusive: Captain Jayson Shaw Looking To Make Mosconi Cup History

Captain fantastic Jayson Shaw is chasing seventh heaven at this year’s Mosconi Cup.

The decorated Scottish potter guided the European side to a famous victory over the United States last season at London’s Ally Pally, and ‘Eagle Eye’ is looking to recreate the magic and inspire his team to a magical FIFTH successive Mosconi Cup crown at this year’s prestigious four-day event at the Caribe Royal in Orlando, Florido (Sat 30 Nov – Tue 3 Dec).

“I do well all year, but I don’t know what is it because I just seem to come alive before the Mosconi Cup,” Shaw told SportsBoom.com.

“That’s the best tournament of the season for me, there’s no question about that."

“It’s a team event, but I’m always up for it, it gets me excited.”

Shaw won his first Mosconi Cup crown in 2017 before the US team wrestled back the title the following season and won the competition for two years in a row.

But it’s been one-way traffic since then with Shaw a pivotal figure in the European team’s era of deserved domination.

Victory in 2020 was especially sweet as Shaw pocketed the tournament’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) award for his excellent exploits, and the 36-year-old won the award the following season as Europe embarked on a run of three more titles to leave the US side trailing in their slipstream.

“Growing up I played in a lot of team events when I was younger,” added Shaw.

“There were always thousands of players watching, I think I enjoy that environment and just like to let myself go. It brings out the best in me.”

ELITE GROUP

Shaw joins England’s Darren Appleton and Germany ‘s Ralf Souquet in a elite group of just four European players who have won the Mosconi Cup on seven or more occasions.

Only Netherlands potter Niels Feijen, who holds the record with eight, sits above Shaw in the overall career stats, and if form his anything to go by then Shaw is rightly confidence he can shine 

The title-hungry left-hander successfully won Hanoi Open last season and this season pocketed the Diamond Open NineBall Professional Players Championship earlier this season, understandably leaving him full of confidence ahead of the 31st edition of the showpiece event.

“I’m captain this year again, which is a proud moment,” said Shaw.

“The Mosconi Cup has been around for a long, long time, just to play in it is such an hour. But to be captain as well is very special."

“I’ve been playing in it for eight years in a row now, but I think over the last three or four years I’ve become really vocal and show how emotional I am."

“I’m passionate, I wear my heart on my sleeve."

“I think a lot of people see that, especially before I go out to play, they can see I’m really up for it."

“It feels amazing, not only to be picked as player, but to captain the team is something a lot of people would dream of."

“It’s a great competition, everyone gets fired up because you’re playing for your team and not yourself."

“Everybody comes together for the week, it really is every special. It would be a great feeling if we could retain our title.”