Australian poker pro Martin Kozlov has eclipsed his best ever career win of $665,709 in a WSOP bracelet event last year, besting 887 entrants in the $5,250 buy-in Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open in Florida this week to take home $754,083.
Among the 113 players who cashed were formidable players like two-time WPT champ Aaron Mermelstein, Christian Harder, Harrison Gimbel, Taylor Paur, “Johnny World” Hennigan, Paul Volpe, Ari Engel, Shaun Deeb and Shannon Shorr.
The final table was a hard slog against some tough opposition – a gruelling 246-hand affair that lasted 13 hours.
When Matt Berkey busted out at third for $341,618 the scene was set for an evenly matched heads up between Kozlov and Dylan Drazen, a seasoned live tournament pro player from Fort Lauderdale FL, with Kozlov holding the lead.
The Aussie extended his advantage early on, but Drazen doubled up to draw even and the two battled on. Just two hands later Kozlov managed to eliminate Drazen after going all-in, sending him to the exit and a $528,322 runner up prize.