David Grace, Ian Burns, Connor Benzey and Fergal Quinn successfully negotiated the Q School gauntlet to earn tour cards on the final day of Event Two in Leicester.
Grace earned an immediate return to professional status thanks to a 4-0 whitewash win over Scotland’s Jack Borwick. Victory for Grace saw him bounce back from a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss to Alexander Ursenbacher in Event One.
The Yorkshireman was relegated from the circuit at the end of last season, after a run which extended back 2018, when he most recently came through Q School. Grace is a two-time ranking event semi-finalist and made the last four of the UK Championship in 2015. However, he has only been able to win 15 matches over the last two seasons and as a result dropped off. Breaks of 61 and 69 helped him regain his tour card today.
“It is such a relief. You go through the mill here. I feel like I’ve been here a month. I’m really happy,” said 40-year-old Grace.
“I’ve managed to avoid Q School for most of my career. The last time was 2018 and that feels like a long time ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is a big deal. It is two years of your life. I didn’t want to be spending a year off tour.”
Burns put on a fine display to defeat Andrew Pagett 4-1 in a battle between two recently relegated tour players.
Lancashire’s Burns dropped off the circuit at the end of last season after a narrow 10-8 loss against Ali Carter in World Championship qualifying. He had looked like bowing out in the penultimate round at Q School, when he trailed Kayden Brierley 3-1. However, a comeback 4-3 win kept his hopes alive. Things were more comfortable this morning and breaks of 85, 56 and 63 saw him ease to victory.
Burns said: “It feels like relief more than anything. I’ve come through Q School twice before so I feel like I have a bit of pedigree here. The idea is not to keep coming back though. I’m delighted to get over the line.
“The experience of being here and having done it really helps. You get to that last round and you can see how nervous players are. I’m nervous too, but deep down I have that experience and I think that is what helped me today.”
Ireland’s Quinn finally earned his maiden tour card after defeating Scotland’s Dean Young 4-1.
Quinn has been attending Q School since 2018, but until today was yet to successfully navigate the event. The Coalisland cueman showed his pedigree earlier this year with a run to the WSF Championship semi-finals in Morocco. Breaks of 62 and 54 helped him defeat the recently relegated Young today and take his place on the circuit.
“I can’t believe it to be honest. I wasn’t sure if this day would ever come. I’m just shocked. There was so much mental stress and pain to get here. I’m so relieved and happy,” said 25-year-old Quinn.
“I just fight so hard. I fight for every single frame. It is a constant mental battle, but I’ve got so much grit and determination. I’ve been through quite a lot in the last year. All the pain you go through only makes you stronger. I’m happy I dealt with the pressure.”
Southampton’s Benzey bounced back from 2-0 down to score a 4-2 win over Latvian cueman Rodion Judin.
23-year-old Benzey is one of English snooker’s brightest prospects. He won the European Under 17 title in 2019, but today’s victory is the fulfilment of his professional dream.
Benzey said: “It is amazing. It has been a long and tough two weeks it is brilliant to finally get through. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m speechless. I don’t really know what to say.
“At 2-0 down I just kept fighting. That is what I’ve done for the last few days. I’ve fought for every ball. It has worked out for me in the end.”
The post Grace, Burns, Benzey and Quinn Secure Tour Cards at Q School appeared first on WPBSA.
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Grace earned an immediate return to professional status thanks to a 4-0 whitewash win over Scotland’s Jack Borwick. Victory for Grace saw him bounce back from a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss to Alexander Ursenbacher in Event One.
The Yorkshireman was relegated from the circuit at the end of last season, after a run which extended back 2018, when he most recently came through Q School. Grace is a two-time ranking event semi-finalist and made the last four of the UK Championship in 2015. However, he has only been able to win 15 matches over the last two seasons and as a result dropped off. Breaks of 61 and 69 helped him regain his tour card today.
“It is such a relief. You go through the mill here. I feel like I’ve been here a month. I’m really happy,” said 40-year-old Grace.
“I’ve managed to avoid Q School for most of my career. The last time was 2018 and that feels like a long time ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is a big deal. It is two years of your life. I didn’t want to be spending a year off tour.”
Burns put on a fine display to defeat Andrew Pagett 4-1 in a battle between two recently relegated tour players.
Lancashire’s Burns dropped off the circuit at the end of last season after a narrow 10-8 loss against Ali Carter in World Championship qualifying. He had looked like bowing out in the penultimate round at Q School, when he trailed Kayden Brierley 3-1. However, a comeback 4-3 win kept his hopes alive. Things were more comfortable this morning and breaks of 85, 56 and 63 saw him ease to victory.
Burns said: “It feels like relief more than anything. I’ve come through Q School twice before so I feel like I have a bit of pedigree here. The idea is not to keep coming back though. I’m delighted to get over the line.
“The experience of being here and having done it really helps. You get to that last round and you can see how nervous players are. I’m nervous too, but deep down I have that experience and I think that is what helped me today.”
Ireland’s Quinn finally earned his maiden tour card after defeating Scotland’s Dean Young 4-1.
Quinn has been attending Q School since 2018, but until today was yet to successfully navigate the event. The Coalisland cueman showed his pedigree earlier this year with a run to the WSF Championship semi-finals in Morocco. Breaks of 62 and 54 helped him defeat the recently relegated Young today and take his place on the circuit.
“I can’t believe it to be honest. I wasn’t sure if this day would ever come. I’m just shocked. There was so much mental stress and pain to get here. I’m so relieved and happy,” said 25-year-old Quinn.
“I just fight so hard. I fight for every single frame. It is a constant mental battle, but I’ve got so much grit and determination. I’ve been through quite a lot in the last year. All the pain you go through only makes you stronger. I’m happy I dealt with the pressure.”
Southampton’s Benzey bounced back from 2-0 down to score a 4-2 win over Latvian cueman Rodion Judin.
23-year-old Benzey is one of English snooker’s brightest prospects. He won the European Under 17 title in 2019, but today’s victory is the fulfilment of his professional dream.
Benzey said: “It is amazing. It has been a long and tough two weeks it is brilliant to finally get through. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m speechless. I don’t really know what to say.
“At 2-0 down I just kept fighting. That is what I’ve done for the last few days. I’ve fought for every ball. It has worked out for me in the end.”
The post Grace, Burns, Benzey and Quinn Secure Tour Cards at Q School appeared first on WPBSA.
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