Before the WSOPE main event got to heads up play between John Tabatabai and Annette Obrestad, a third player with high hopes of winning was battling it out. Matt McCullough finished third, winning $766,674 and taking what was once a hobby to a potential full time occupation. His regular job was working as an Anesthetist.

Like many storybook champions, McCullough qualified for the WSOPE main even by playing an online satellite. This satellite gave him not only his £10,000 entry into the event but 10 days 5-star accommodation, flights, a new custom suit and a personal driver for the week. Even if he did not finish in the money, he was already guaranteed a great experience.

In what was his first tournament with a buy-in for over $500, McCullough admitted that he was quite nervous before playing. Asked how he will focus for the event, he replied that he would try and be confident and not get intimidated when he sees the high level players he was up against.

McCullough had quite an impressive list of scalps by the end of the tournament. He knocked out Phil Hellmuth when his Queens held up against Hellmuth's pocket 8's and he also knocked out Gus Hansen.

McCullough's final hand came about when he squared off against John Tabatabai. With the binds at 12k/24k and a 3k ante, McCullough had just under 1.4m in chips with Tabatabai covering him. On the button, Tabatabai raised to 50,000 with Ac 6s and McCullough made the call with Js 8c. The flop came Jc 6h 3c and McCullough checked to Tabatabai who bet 115,000. McCullough then re-raised an additional 350,000 before Tabatabai made another raise putting McCullough nearly all in, to which he quickly did and Tabatabai had to make the call.

At this point the Js 8c was a 77% favorite to win the hand and to give McCullough a great chance in the tournament. Sadly the Ad on the turn turned things around and he could find no help on the river. Speaking about how he felt right after the hand he said ‘I wanted to cry. Obviously I was upset' No one can blame him for feeling like that, but I'm sure the $766,674 he took home for third helped him numb the pain slightly.