LOL! Shane's lost a step or two in tournament play, but he's still the best in the USA. Only two people have won the US open five times. The other is Earl Strickland.
(edit) One Shane tale I love..during another interview, he told of returning home after winning the US open, and taking his car to the local car wash. He found one of his former bullies working there. With a smirk, he added; "I tipped him five bucks."
Who is currently the best? Far as I'm concerned, a toss up between Josh Filler of Germany and Russian Fedor Gorst...Gorst now playing in the USA with a green card...for obvious reasons wants to become a USA citizen.
It is a shame that the top players earn so little. To reach that level requires the natural talent, but also total dedication. Maybe the top 25 make a decent living.
If you want to kill an hour, here's Shane vs. "Jayson who?" in Gibraltar's world pool masters invitational. Watch how each player controls the cue ball. Playing shape well IS the game..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIOCh_ti3aQ&ab_channel=MatchroomPool