Hellmuth gets record 13th bracelet by winning WSOP Europe event

Phil Hellmuth Jr. captured his record-setting 13th World Series of Poker individual event championship bracelet Friday, winning the Main Event at the World Series of Poker Europe.

The tournament, which had seven bracelet events, was held at Hotel Majestic Barriere in Cannes, France.

Hellmuth topped a field of 420 players in the No Limit Hold’em event. He earned 1,022,376 euros for the victory, which translated into $1.33 million in U.S. dollars. The event had a buy-in of 10,000 euros, or $13,031.16 in U.S. dollars.

Hellmuth, who is from Palo Alto, Calif., defeated Sergii Baronov of the Ukraine with a pair of aces and a better kicker on the final hand.

“I don’t say this often, but I am truly humbled by this,” Hellmuth said. “This is one of the most prestigious titles in poker and to get this one, it’s right up there with the (1989 World Series of Poker Main Event) World Championship.”

Hellmuth flew back to the U.S. after winning the title. He is scheduled to play in actress Eva Longoria’s charity event in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday.

“TY fam, friends, & fans for AMAZING support & love! Still dazed, did I really win #WSOPE13? Guess so, there’s a new bracelet on my wrist!” Hellmuth posted on his Twitter account.

The gold bracelet was Hellmuth’s second that he has earned this year. In June at the Rio, Hellmuth won the World Series of Poker $2,500 buy-in Seven Card Razz title. That victory was his first bracelet earned in a non-hold’em event.

Hellmuth is now three bracelets ahead of his closet rivals on the World Series of Poker career list, Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, who each have 10. Hellmuth has now cashed in a record 95 World Series of Poker events, earning more than $12.1 million.

The victory in Europe also moved Hellmuth to the top of the World Series of Poker Player of the Year leader board. He has 889.33 points while Antonio Esfandiari is second with 683.10 points.

Greg Merson is the only player who can now surpass Hellmuth. Merson must win the World Series of Poker Main Event Championship at the end of the month.