Sam Panzica Triumphs at 2016 WPT Bounty Scramble

Sam Panzica has triumphed at the 2016 WPT bestbet Bounty Scramble, after besting a field of 379 players over five days to take down the title, and capture a first place prize of $354,335.
Panzica cashed in at his first live event in 2011, but 2016 is certainly turning out to be a breakout year for the US pro. Back in January he won the EPT Dublin €10,300 High Roller for €375,770 ($418,704), and in July he then took down the Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 event for $117,282. Following his latest victory in Jacksonville, Florida, Panzica now boasts $1,833,379 in live career earnings, of which $1,126,534 has come in 2016 alone.
The 2016 WPT bestbet Bounty Scramble $5,000 main event featured a prize pool of $1,762,350, and amongst the 48 players making the money was such notable pros as Matt Glantz in 36th, Anthony Zinno in 31st, and Olivier Busquet in 30th, all of whom picked up $9,453 for their efforts. Also cashing in was Byron Kaverman in 19th ($16,380), Marvin Rettenmaier in 18th ($19,689), and Maxx Coleman in 14th ($24,040).
The final table of nine was equally stacked with top pros, and after Jake Schwartz (9th), Noah Schwartz (5th), Tyler Patterson (4th), and Ankush Mandavia (3rd) hit the rail, it was left to Samuel Panzica and Richard Malone, Jr. to battle it out for the title.
As the heads-up phase got underway, Malone held a 2-to-1 chip lead over his remaining opponent, but Panzica eventually was able to take the lead, and 140 hands into their battle the deciding hand took place with Panzica moving all-in preflop with K-9, only to be called by Malone holding A-3. The 8-7-5-9-K board subsequently sealed the deal, and so Malone finished the runner-up for $237,616, while top honors went to Samuel Panzica.
Final Table Results:
1: Samuel Panzica $354,335
2: Richard Malone, Jr. $237,616
3: Ankush Mandavia $152,766
4: Tyler Patterson $100,643
5: Noah Schwartz $77,499
6: Paul Balzano $64,183
7: Timothy Miles $53,785
8: Kory Kilpatrick $43,827
9: Jake Schwartz $33,933