Clemen Deng Conquers Elite Field to Win PGT Last Chance Kickoff Event

Clemen Deng has announced his arrival at the top of the PokerGO Tour in emphatic fashion. The Portland, Oregon native captured Event #1 of the PGT Last Chance series, outlasting a stacked field of 109 entries to win the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament and collect $277,950. The victory marks the first PokerGO Tour title of 2026 and came after Deng navigated one of the most talent-heavy final tables seen this season.

A Breakthrough Win Against Poker’s Best

Deng’s path to the trophy required overcoming several of the game’s most accomplished names. Among those standing between him and the title were 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, who finished fourth, and reigning 2025 Card Player Player of the Year Jesse Lonis, who bowed out in third place.

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Despite the star-studded lineup, Deng remained composed throughout the final stages. This win represents the fifth-largest score of his career and pushes his lifetime tournament earnings to nearly $5.9 million. Notably, all of his biggest results have come within the last 18 months, highlighted by a $695,000 payday at a $100,000 Triton Poker event in Jeju, South Korea.

Narrowing the Field: Notable In-The-Money Finishers

The 109-entry field generated a $1,090,000 prize pool, with the top 16 players reaching the money. A long list of established pros cashed, including:

• Jeremy Ausmus (15th)
• Josh Arieh (13th)
• Joe Serock (12th)
• Byron Kaverman (11th)
• Jared Jaffee (10th)
• Connor Rash (9th)
• Aram Oganyan (8th)
• Jonathan Little (7th)

Day 2 began with six players remaining and Jesse Lonis holding a commanding chip lead. Phil Hellmuth scored the first elimination of the day when his pocket eights held against the A-7 of Matthew Wantman, who finished sixth for $54,500 after recently winning the MSPT Venetian Main Event.

Key Eliminations Shape the Final Four

Momentum continued to swing when Lonis won a preflop race, his J♥10♥ besting the pocket eights of Cary Katz, eliminating the PokerGO founder in fifth place for $70,850.

Hellmuth’s run ended shortly after. He committed his stack with A♥2♠ on a 10♥6♣2♦ flop but ran into the overpair of David Baker’s jacks. The board paired twice, sealing Hellmuth’s fate in fourth place for $98,100 and pushing his career earnings beyond $27.5 million.

Deng Pulls Away Three-Handed

The defining moment came during three-handed play. Baker opened short, Lonis shoved with pocket nines, and Deng called with A♣K♦, covering both opponents. Baker folded, and the board ran out A♦7♥3♥A♥3♦, giving Deng aces full and eliminating Lonis in third place for $125,350.

Lonis’ podium finish keeps him well positioned in the PokerGO Tour standings, virtually locking up a seat in the season-ending $1,000,000 freeroll championship.

Heads-Up Finish Seals the Title

Deng entered heads-up play with more than a 26-to-1 chip advantage over Baker. Although Baker managed a quick double-up, the comeback attempt was short-lived. In the final hand, Baker moved all-in with an open-ended straight draw, but Deng’s bottom pair held through the turn and river to close out the tournament.

Baker earned $174,400 for second place, bringing his career tournament winnings to nearly $9.3 million.

Final Table Results – PGT Last Chance Event #1