The World Poker Tour has verified that Florida pro Chad Eveslage is the WPT's Season XX Player of the Year, capping a breakthrough season for one of the game's hottest players. Eveslage, of Fort Lauderdale, topped the WPT's Season XX (2022) POY points total with 2,325 points, edging out runner-up Steve Buckner.
By winning the year-long points race, Eveslage, an Indiana native, earns a WPT Passport worth $15,000 that can be used to enter any Season XXI events, along with the stylish WPT POY trophy. Runner-up Buckner earns a $10,000 Passport, while third-place points earner Josh Kay collects a $5,000 Passport. Ray Qartomi and WPT Prime Championship winner Stephen Song rounded out the top five on the WPT Season XX Player of the Year list.
“I’m honored to add my name to the list of players who have won WPT Player of the Year,” said Eveslage. “2022 was an amazing run for me and to add POY to my WPT title just made the year even more special. I can’t wait to get back in action and try to defend this title.”
Eveslage outdueled Buckner for the win at October's Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio. It was Eveslage's largest of four cashes, and along with a third-place showing at the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open in late November, was just enough to hold off Buckner for the POY honor. Buckner had five WPT cashes in Season XX, the most of any player, including two second-place finishes.
