The final part of my trio of ‘best of’ articles in 2012 sees me take a look at the most improved players of the year and again with so many players having impressed this year, it is not an easy call to make…
Please note that the above options are merely suggestions and you are free to insert your own choice into the ‘other’ option should you so wish.
Luca Brecel
While talented Luca Brecel has been highly regarded for a number of years, 2012 was to be the breakthrough year for the young Belgian, as he not only became the youngest ever player to qualify for an appearance at the Crucible Theatre, but rounded off the year by reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship for good measure.
Still just 17, Luca is only going to continue to improve over the course of the next few years, but in 2012 he showed that already he is capable of mixing it with the very best.
Michael White
Another player who has been the centre of much hype since an early age is Welshman Michael White, but in 2012 he began to deliver results on a far more consistent basis.
Ranked 57th at the turn of the year, White ends 2012 ranked 20 places higher and in with a real chance of a top 32 place if he can repeat his recent runs to the venue stages at the International and UK Championship tournaments.
Cao Yupeng
Also impressing in 2012 has been China’s Cao Yupeng, who new to the tour 18 months ago has since reached the last 16 of the World Championship, Australian Goldfields Open and International Championship events, as well as qualifying for the venue stages of the UK Championship.
While the mooted changes to the tour structure to ensure that the players at tournaments will all start in the same round, will make it easier for tour newcomers to make it through to the venues, Cao has shown that it is not impossible to do so under the current set-up either.
Mark Davis
While the players mentioned above can all be filed under the ‘young and up and coming’ category, 40-year-old Mark Davis is very much at the other end of the scale, having turned professional over 20 years ago.
Despite that, this year has seen him not only crack that elusive top 16 bracket for the first time in his career, but so do courtesy of three semi-final appearances in full-ranking events, having never reached one before. Mark might not be the youngest, but his performances have demonstrated that he is as dangerous now as he has ever been and is fully deserving of his current ranking.
Rod Lawler
Much in the same vein as Mark, Rod Lawler is closer to the end of his career than he is the start, but since having regained his professional status via the Q School, following relegation at the end of last season, he has hardly looked back.
A consistent match winner in all tournaments, the highlight of the year for Rod was without doubt his popular capture of the UKPTC3 title in Gloucester, his first title carrying ranking points in a long career.
Who was the most improved player of 2012 for you?