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It was an incredible tight race for the WSOP National Championship sponsored by Southern Comfort 100 Proof automatic seat. So tight, in fact, that it could not be determined until the final Ring event.

If you just looked at the final standings, you would think that Tim Kelliher ran away with the title. But that could not be farther from the truth. The 31-year old poker professional from Taunton, MA had to scratch and claw his way to New Orleans

Kelliher started by making the final table of Event 1 and coming in third for over $21,000. In Event 7, he made his second final table in the $365 No-Limit and was eliminated in 9th place.

His total points for the Foxwoods Casino Champion race through Event 7 were 45, which put him just behind those players who had earned 50 points for winning a Ring. The only player over 50 points going into the Main Event was Aaron Massey with 52.5 points.

That left just two events for somebody to make a move. Tim Kelliher did just that.

In Event 11, Kelliher took 8th place, good for 17.5 points and yet another final table.  With 62.5, Kelliher had a lead with only one event remaining.

Despite the fact that a number of players entered Event 12 that could have overtaken Kelliher, he made the money and looked to have the title locked up.

It wasn’t without drama though. Just in the money with 15 players left, Kelliher was down to just one big blind. He fought his way back and did the one thing that assured him the title.

He just won the whole thing.

Kelliher put the finishing touches on an amazing first WSOP Circuit Series at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Over the Series, Kelliher made four final tables, over $39,000 in total earnings, his first Ring and a seat to the WSOP National Championship sponsored by Southern Comfort 100 Proof.

“After my two final tables, I was really focused on earning the seat. The fact that it came down to the final two events really drained me. I am going to take some time off to rest but I will be ready to go in New Orleans!”, Kelliher said after his victory.

The WSOP National Championship takes place at Harrah's New Orleans May 22-24. The tournament will be filmed for ESPN and feature as many as 200 players (100 WSOP Circuit qualifiers and 100 WSOP player of the year qualifiers permitted to buy into the event for $10,000) and a prize pool of up to $2 million.

More information regarding the season-ending event is available on WSOP.com.

Top Casino Champion points standings from Foxwoods Resort Casino:

1. Tim Kelliher - 112.5 points

2. Zachary Donovan - 55 points

3. Aditya Prasetyo - 55points

4. Aaron Massey – 52.5 points

5. Julian Schulman - 52.5 points

6. Seven others tied at 50 points

Full points standing from Foxwoods Resort Casino available on WSOP.com.