Macau’s Straight Shooter

Affectionately known as ‘Machine Gun Rock’, pool player Rocky Lane — former police officer and prosecutor, world record jump shooter, and now resident House Pro at Macau’s Private Party Bar — is “one of the most unassuming world record-holding sports people around,” according to Mark Phillips writing for Macau Closer. In a small bar in Taipa, “with a quiet air of grace and humility” every Thursday, Lane “defeats player after player … each one hopeful they might stand a chance of beating [him].” “The son of a New Zealand dairy farmer, Lane was introduced to the game of pool by his father-in-law, 1972 New Zealand snooker champion, the late Norm Stockmann, and quickly showed his talent, winning the National 8-ball championship in 1976. In 2005 he rose to fame when he set a new world record jump shooting and potting 15 balls in just 14.16 seconds, a record that still stands today. Lane turned professional in 2006 and began playing on the European, American and Asian circuits. At 61, he is one of the oldest professional players still on tour. ‘I practice two to three days a week and do around 250 to 300 racks a month, but I can only count the games I win,’ Lane explains.”