When the $600 PLO event kicked off at Caesars New Orleans, “Hawk” knew exactly what he was after. Maurice Hawkins breezed through the nine-hour sprint against 106 competitors, ultimately defeating Thai Cao in a heads-up showdown. His victory earned him $14,548 and a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package. More importantly, he claimed the historic 20th WSOP Circuit gold ring, solidifying his solo lead in the record books.
The final table was brimming with WSOP Circuit regulars, including Daniel Lowery (18 rings), who settled for eighth place. Hawkins maneuvered expertly through the final levels, entered heads-up with a slim lead, and turned the tide in his favor to clinch victory over Thai Cao. This triumph broke the tie with Ari Engel (19 rings), making him the first player in history to reach the 20-ring milestone.
| Rank | Name | Country | Amount |
| 1. | Maurice Hawkins | USA | $14,548 |
| 2. | Thai Cao | USA | $9,431 |
| 3. | Daniel Pearlman | USA | $6,350 |
| 4. | Greg Headrick | USA | $4,448 |
| 5. | James Calloway | USA | $3,246 |
| 6. | Hariharan Rangarajan | USA | $2,474 |
| 7. | William Oertling | USA | $1,971 |
| 8. | Daniel Lowery | USA | $1,647 |
The Timeless Race Continues
The “Lord of the Rings” race has been open to everyone for years, but the names leading the charge are consistent: Hawkins and Ari Engel. In March 2025, Engel took the top spot during the online Super Circuit in Pennsylvania by claiming his 19th ring, but Hawkins quickly responded. Engel still has the edge with his four bracelet victories, whereas Hawkins is yet to win one. Daniel Lowery (18) is also frequently seen emerging from the shadows, finishing at the final table in this tournament (8th place).
With this triumph, Hawkins solidified his status as the most successful WSOP Circuit player in history, creating a gap between himself and his chasers – Ari Engel (19) and Daniel Lowery (18). He's not only a force in hold’em titles but has proven victorious in Omaha, spotlighting his lead as the “Lord of the Rings” ahead of the fall season.
Won ring #19 tonight online on wsop PA. 500 buyin with 86 entrants (I was 1)
— Ari Engel (@AriEngelPoker) March 9, 2025
Confidence has never been in short supply for Hawkins, as demonstrated after his win: “I don't mean to offend anyone competing against me, but my name should be at the top. Honestly, this is my circuit. I’ve respected Ari throughout his career, and at times aspired to be like him. Dan is a great player, but I should be at the top.”
A Polarizing Figure – Debts and Legal Battles
Hawkins’ story is not just about trophies. In 2019, former backer Randy Garcia sued him over unpaid debts; a Florida court awarded Garcia $103,000 plus interest and costs (totaling $115,828.34). Hawkins told PokerNews at the time that they were trying to “settle it amicably” and that he was repaying the debt.
The issue resurfaced in 2022 – Hawkins responded to new allegations by saying, “I’ll pay when I can,” maintaining that he had already covered the majority. This duality makes “Hawk” either an idol or a controversial figure to different segments of the poker community.
Sources – X, Poker.org, PokerNews, WSOP, PokerStrategy
