Martin Kozlov Wins SHRPO Championship for $754,083

Australia’s Martin Kozlov has just won the biggest score of his professional career, after taking down the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $5,250 Championship for $754,083. As a result of his latest score, the Australian pro now boasts $2,680,977 in live earnings, as well as a further $3,523,366 amassed online.
The tournament took place in Hollywood, Florida, with 887 players entering the event to create a prize pool of $4,301,950. Amongst the recognizable pros subsequently seeing a return on their buy-ins was Paul Volpe in 53rd ($15,014), Alan Engel in 41st ($16,950), Shaun Deeb in 33rd ($19,531), Shannon Shorr in 22nd ($28,049), and David Sands in 21st ($33,211).
On Day 4, the final table of nine then got underway, but it would be another 11 hours or so before the heads-up phase of the competition was reached between Martin Kozlov and Dylan Drazen. At this stage, Kozlov enjoyed a good advantage over his remaining opponent, but Drazen still managed to stage a comeback and even take the lead at one point, before the pendulum swung back in Kozlov’s favor.
The 38th hand of their battle then proved to be the deciding one, with Kozlov (Kh-Kc) moving all-in on a K-Q-8-4-2 board, and Drazen making the call with J-8. The US player subsequently received $528,322 for his hard-fought efforts, bringing his career earnings to $705,004 since his first live cash back in 2008.
In the meantime, the top prize, SHRPO guitar pick trophy, and congratulations went to Martin Kozlov on his impressive victory.
Last year, Kozlov picked up a gold bracelet after winning the WSOP $10,000 Six-Max NL Championship for $665,709, after which commenting on the vociferous rail of his opponent, he stated:
“When you’re playing the game, you just get in the zone and all of that [distractions] just fades away. It’s just about the cards and the spot, you try not to think about what’s happening beyond the felt.”
Final Table Results:
1: Martin Kozlov $754,083
2: Dylan Drazen $528,322
3: Matt Berkey $341,618
4: Yi Li $252,481
5: Michael Aron $191,437
6: Aaron Mermelstein $152,547
7: Adam Levy $126,305
8: Luke Brereton $100,408
9: Joe Kuether $75,413