Though the Event 8 final is still to be completed, according to Global Snooker at least, the top eight in the rankings cannot now be displaced and so the identities of eight more main tour players for 2009/10 are now known…
The all-important qualifiers are:
- Xiao Guodong
- Lee Page
- Bjorn Haneveer
- Joe Jogia
- Stephen Rowlings
- Ben Woollaston
- Noppadol Sangnil
- Craig Steadman
Before the tournament started Guodong, Page and Haneveer were already well clear at the top of the rankings and certain to return, but otherwise all was to play for as around 20-30 players could have moved up into the top eight with a good result this week.
Starting the week in fourth place was Bolton’s Craig Steadman, a fine player who has been desperately unlucky not make it onto the main tour before now. Having looked a certainty to finish in the top eight following his victory in event four before Christmas however, two early exits at the hands of Avtar Sohanpal in the last two events had left him sweating on other results as it looked like he might miss out yet again. As it has turned out though it looks as if he has just about kept his place in the top eight and so will finally make his tour debut next season.
Former professionals Joe Jogia and Ben Woollaston meanwhile begun this week in 15th and 19th positions respectively and having each come through to make tomorrow’s event eight final, have both done enough to finish in the top eight regardless of the result.
The final two places have been taken by Stephen Rowlings, an experienced player who now offers coaching via his website here, and Thailand’s Noppadol Sangnil who also has previous experience of the main tour having attained a ranking of 107 for the 2002/3 season.