Sung outlasted an elite field and high-stakes legend Phil Galfond heads-up to earn his second bracelet and $1.2 million in the ultra-tough $25k Six-Max.
Mercier, who likely has about that much in bracelet bets on the line, found his focus in the even tougher $50k Player's Championship to build a big stack after Day 1.
Two more big-field No-Limit events played out and Kristen Bicknell won Canada's 10th bracelet of the summer as well as the WSOP marched on to its big finale.
Sung Tops Galfond, Stern in $25k Six-Max
One of the toughest fields of the summer gathered for the $25k No-Limit Hold'em Six-Max event with 18 making it to yesterday's final playdown.
Just six would make the final table but what a six it was win Sung, Galfond, Stephen Chidwick, Richard ''nutsinho" Lyndaker, Max Lehmanski and Dani "ansky" Stern.
Given his unbelievable online record and impeccable reputation Galfond was the favorite to earn his second career bracelet.
Starting heads-up play fairly even it looked like it would happen but Sung had other plans and controlled much of the lengthy heads-up match before finsihing him off.
Check our WSOP Live Updates for a full recap of all the action. THe official final six and payouts:
1. Steve Sung $1,205,324 2. Phil Galfond $744,841 3. Dani Stern $509,473 4. Stephen Chidwick $353,780 5. Max Lehmanski $249,291 6. Richard Lyndaker $353,780Mercier Starts Strong in $50k, Brunson Arrives
The only event that could top the $25k Six-Max for star power at the Rio also got underway yesterday with 123 of the biggest names in poker taking their seats.
With the $50k Player's Championship the pinnacle of prestige apart from the Main Event, even Doyle Brunson made it to the tables for his first appearance at the 2013 WSOP.
To keep his focus the Godfather of Poker even made a few big bets on his performance and held strong to finish 14th to end the day.
Jason Mercier, who also has some big bets hinging on his performance, ran up a big stack to sit second behind Jonathan Duhamel.
Given the slow structure the day was short on knockuts and 116 made it on to Day 2. Registration is also still open to start Day 2.
Check out Brunson's journey in our Follow the Chips coverage and tune back in at 2 pm today for more. The top 10:
1. Jonathan Duhamel 401,300 2. Jason Mercier 340,600 3. Justin Smith 336,600 4. Brian Rast 319,900 5. Jared Bleznick 296,000 6. George Lind 294,200 7. Calvin Anderson 290,500 8. Greg Mueller 261,300 9. Mike Leah 248,000 10. Tommy Hang 240,000Canada Still Crushing, Sylvia and Salsberg Move On
While Kristen Bicknell polished off Canada's 10th bracelet of the summer in the Ladies Championship Jonathan Cohen edged closer to #11 in Event #53, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em.
Cohen leads a final 22 that includes fellow Canadian Mike "SirWatts" Watson, Scotsman David Vamplew, Aussie Ty Krost and Costa Rican Humberto Brenes.
Event #54, $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em also got underway with 239 players getting to Day 2 highlighted by Jesse Sylvia, Matt Salsberg, Sam Grafton and Amanda Musumeci. The top 10 in each:
Event #53, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
Event #54, $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em
1. Barry Hunter 211,000 2. Marcus Aurelius 150,800 3. Ørjan Skommo 125,200 4. Warwick Mirzikinian 111,700 5. Fergal Nealon 93,000 6. Jesse Sylvia 83,000 7. Ira Basil 77,700 8. Raffi Soualian 72,500 9. Duy Ho 68,300 10. Matt Salsberg 67,700Check our WSOP Live page for all the latest results and highlights.
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