Patrick Leonard, a prominent name in British poker, is back in the winner’s circle after securing his first live tournament victory since 2022. With a $124,800 payday, Leonard also claimed the top spot on the 2025 PokerGO Tour leaderboard, making a strong start to the year. The victory came in the second event of the PGT Kickoff Series, a $5,100 buy-in tournament that drew 96 entrants and a prize pool of $480,000.
Final Table Drama and Early Eliminations
The road to victory wasn’t smooth for Leonard. The seven-handed final table featured a stacked lineup, including legends and rising stars. Day 1 ended with notable bust-outs such as David Chen, Rodger Johnson, and Stephen Song, leaving the field with only seven players vying for the top prize.
Leonard entered the final table as the short stack but quickly turned his fortunes around in a pivotal three-way hand. Holding pocket aces, Leonard faced off against Chino Rheem’s pocket tens and Sam Laskowitz’s pocket kings. With all the chips in the middle, the board ran out jack-high, propelling Leonard from the bottom to the top of the leaderboard. Rheem exited in seventh place with $19,200, setting the tone for a high-stakes showdown.
Natalie Ferguson’s Narrow Escape Ends
Natalie Ferguson was one of the table’s shortest stacks, sitting with only four big blinds. Although she managed a triple-up, her resurgence was short-lived. Joey Weissman, a player selling action for the series on StakeKings, put an end to her run. Ferguson’s king-ten flopped top pair, but Weissman’s ace-ten held stronger, sending her out of the competition.
Weissman’s dominance continued to be a focal point of the game, showcasing the high-pressure environment and the razor-thin margins between survival and elimination.
Laskowitz Falls in Fifth Place
Sam Laskowitz, another victim of Leonard’s early dominance, saw his stack dwindle after losing the pivotal three-way hand. Trying to claw back into contention, Laskowitz pushed his remaining chips with king-queen, only to be bested by Joseph Cheong’s king-nine. Cheong, a former WSOP Main Event finalist, demonstrated once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with, adding another notch to his poker résumé.
Laskowitz’s fifth-place finish earned him respect and prize money, but the hand highlighted how small moments can swing entire games.
Leonard’s Momentum Builds Toward Victory
With each elimination, Leonard grew more confident and cemented his position as a frontrunner. His early setback at the final table transformed into an inspiring comeback, bolstered by well-timed aggression and a bit of good fortune. PokerGO Studio bore witness to a masterclass in adaptability and resilience.
The crowd in Las Vegas, both in-person and watching the live stream, was treated to a thrilling exhibition of poker skill and strategy. Leonard’s win not only enriched his career earnings but also reminded the poker world of his ability to thrive under pressure.