There may still be a number of events to be played during the course of this season, but already there is a race on for all important tour places for the 2014/15 season, across no fewer than three ranking lists.
Back in August, I explained the various routes available to the players looking to stay on tour and how they can do so, but below I take it a step further, considering the position of each of the players individually, to see how they are currently shaping up in the race to remain on tour for next season…
- Click here to view the latest provisional money list
- Click here to view the latest European Tour Order of Merit (after five events)
- Click here to view the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit (after three events)
- Click here to view my previous article on the early running
- Click here to view the prize money schedule for 2013/14
Who Stays on Tour?
This is explained in some detail on my previous article here, but in summary, the following players will retain their professional places for 2013/14 as follows:
- All players ranked inside the top 64 on the two-year prize money list following the 2014 World Championship
- All players ranked outside of the top 64on the two-year prize money list, who have joined the tour for 2013/14 on the first year of a two-year tour card.
- The top eight players ranked on the European Order of Merit, not already qualified as above.
- The top four players ranked on the Asian Order of Merit, not already qualified as above.
So the important part to note, which not everybody realises yet, is that it will be the top 64 on the money list, NOT the current points list, who will automatically earn a tour card for 2014/15 as of right.
In some cases, this is a crucial difference, for example for James Wattana currently 65th in the latest projected seedings, but 73rd on the provisional money list.
Who will finish in the top 64?
With so many events still to run, it is impossible to say with certainty as to what the final amount of money required to stay inside the top 64 will be, but as a conservative estimate I would be surprised to see anybody inside of the current top 50 on the latest provisional money list fall out of the top bracket.
At the time of writing, if we exclude the suspended Stephen Lee, the cut currently stands at £30,327 for 64th placed Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, while for example 53rd placed Jimmy Robertson sits on £42,789. I would expect only a dramatic loss of form, combined with strong performances from those below, to threaten those around Robertson’s position.
For the avoidance of doubt, those players are:
- Ding Junhui, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Marco Fu, John Higgins, Ricky Walden, Mark Allen, Stuart Bingham, Shaun Murphy, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter, Mark Davis, Matthew Stevens, Robert Milkins, Joe Perry, Graeme Dott, Mark Williams, Peter Ebdon, Xiao Guodong, Martin Gould, Ryan Day, Michael Holt, Liang Wenbo, Tom Ford, Michael White, Dominic Dale, Marcus Campbell, Mark King, Ken Doherty, Fergal O’Brien, Andrew Higginson, Jack Lisowski, Ben Woollaston, David Gilbert, Mark Joyce, Kurt Maflin, Alan McManus, Rod Lawler, Cao Yupeng, Jamie Cope, Jamie Burnett, Aditya Mehta, Anthony McGill, Rory McLeod, Alfie Burden, Dechawat Poomjaeng, Anthony Hamilton, Matthew Selt, Pankaj Advani, Jimmy Robertson
Importantly, these players will all earn a one-year tour card for the following season, but importantly will retain their prize money earned, rather than start again from zero, as those qualifying on a two-year card by any other means.
Safe? – Dechawat Poomjaeng
Who is on the first year of a two-year card?
Simply put, those players who are safe due to being on the first year of a two-year tour card, are those highlighted in green on the latest provisional money list page.
For the avoidance of doubt, those players are:
- Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson, David Morris, Lyu Haotian, Stuart Carrington, Alex Davies, Joe Swail, Li Hang, Noppon Saengkham, John Astley, Hammad Miah, Andrew Pagett, Vinnie Calabrese, Elliot Slessor, Andrew Norman, Robin Hull, Ratchayothin Yotharuk, Ross Muir, Chris Norbury, Chris Wakelin, Jin Long, Cao Xinlong, Patrick Einsle, James Cahill, Lee Page, Fraser Patrick, Alex Borg, Shi Hanqing, Allan Taylor, Ryan Clark, Alexander Ursenbacher, Ahmed Saif, Lee Spick, Jak Jones, Igor Figueiredo
What about the rest?
For everybody else, I will consider their prospects individually below, highlighting where they currently stand on the three respective lists and trying to summarise how they stand overall.
When giving the totals below, I have also put in brackets the gaps between them and the person in the last qualifying position from the respective lists at the time of writing.
Nigel Bond
Money list: 54th – £39,245 (+8,918)
European Tour OOM: 52nd – £3,083 (+500)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: Nigel is well placed to retain his tour card for 2014/15, either by finishing inside the top 64 on the money list (he currently has a gap of nearly 9,000 to the last placed qualifier), or should he drop out of that bracket, via the European Order of Merit. A few more wins during the three remaining European Tour events, or in some of the full-ranking events, should make absolutely sure.
Dave Harold
Money list: 56th – £37,297 (+6,970)
European Tour OOM: 93rd – £1,000 (-1,583)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Having made a late start to the 2013/14 season, not entering an event until the Shanghai Masters qualifiers back in August, Dave is perhaps a little lower on the money list than is to be expected. Similarly, having also only entered two of the five European Tour events so far this season, he is some way from being able to qualify by that route, although with three events still to play, a last 16 run for example would bring him into contention.
Dave Harold – Currently safe, but needs more wins
Yu Delu
Money list: 57th – £37,188 (+6,861)
European Tour OOM: 97th – £600 (-1,983)
Asian Tour OOM: 20th – £1,900 (-1,200)
Summary: One of last season’s most impressive rookies, Yu Delu has work still to do this season if he is to make certain of a place on the main tour for 2014/15. While he is currently inside the all important top 64 bracket on the money list (and will gain a further place assuming that Stephen Lee remains suspended), he is short on both the European and Asian Orders of Merit at present, should he fall out of that group.
Steve Davis
Money list: 58th – £36,726 (+6,399)
European Tour OOM: 40th – £3,866 (+1,283)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: 56-year-old Steve Davis might be the oldest player on tour, but he looks well-set to retain his place for yet another season, as he currently stands inside the top 64 on the provisional money list. Should he be surpassed on that list between now and the end of the season, he does have the fall-back of being high enough on the European Tour Order of Merit to retain a place, with three events still to be played.
Jamie Jones
Money list: 59th – £35,366 (+5,039)
European Tour OOM: 28th – £5,600 (+3,017)
Asian Tour OOM: 83rd – £200 (-2,900)
Summary: At the start of the season, 2012 World Championship quarter-finalist Jamie Jones looked like he could find himself in a surprise fight for his main tour place come next May, but thanks to consistent performances in the season’s European Tour events so far this season, the Welshman looks to be safe for 2014/15.
Jamie Jones – Looking Good
Peter Lines
Money list: 60th – £34,037 (+3,710)
European Tour OOM: 54th – £2,866 (+283)
Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £400 (-2,700)
Summary: An ever-present on the tour since 2008, Peter Lines is currently in position to retain his place on the main tour for next season, but his place is far from safe at this stage of the season. While inside both the money list and European Order of Merit at present, he will need to gain more points still on each if he is to secure his tour spot for another season.
Gerard Greene
Money list: 61st – £32,854 (+2,527)
European Tour OOM: 8th – £12,183 (+9,600)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: The situation looked bleak for Gerard at the start of this season, but thanks to his shock run to the final of the Paul Hunter Classic earlier this season, Greene is now certain to remain on tour for next season. The only question is to whether it will be for one year or two, depending on whether he can finish inside the top 64 on the money list.
Robbie Williams
Money list: 62nd – £32,609 (+2,282)
European Tour OOM: 21st – £7,349 (+4,766)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Like Gerard Greene above, Robbie will be safe for at next season, courtesy of his excellent performances in the European Tour events, while he could well finish inside the top 64 on the money list should he maintain his impressive form of late.
Jimmy White – in trouble?
Jimmy White
Money list: 63rd – £32,159 (+1,832)
European Tour OOM: 97th – £600 (-1,983)
Asian Tour OOM: 83rd – £200 (-2,900)
Summary: Perhaps the biggest story from this article is the fight that Jimmy White currently has if he is to remain on tour, which I suspect will have passed most people by up to this point. Down to 63rd on the money list (62nd not including Stephen Lee), Jimmy White is only narrowly placed inside the all important top 64, which he needs to do in order to stay on tour. Currently well down on both the European and Asian Orders of Merit, Jimmy needs either a strong run in an upcoming PTC event, or victories in the full-ranking events, to climb the money list. Something to keep an eye on.
Luca Brecel
Money list: 64th – £31,017 (+690)
European Tour OOM: 26th – £6,016 (+3,433)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: The youngest ever player to qualify for the World Championship in 2012 might have struggled to repeat those heroics since, but thanks to his form in the European Tour events, particularly his recent quarter-final in Germany, he looks set to retain his place via the European list.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Money list: 65th – £30,327 (+0)
European Tour OOM: 76th – £1,583 (-1,000)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is what poker players might term as ‘on the bubble’, currently sitting in the 64th and final qualifying place on the money list. Perhaps surprisingly, Thepchaiya is yet to feature on the Asian Order of Merit, but remains in contention on the European Tour Order of Merit, presently a last 32 run from moving into a qualifying place.
Ian Burns
Money list: 66th – £28,954 (-1,373)
European Tour OOM: 65th – £2,183 (-400)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Similar to Un-Nooh, Preston’s Ian Burns currently sits on the borderline both on the provisional money list, as well as the European Tour Order of Merit. His fate is in his own hands and only time will tell as to whether he will be able to do enough to finish high enough on either list.
Mike Dunn – Upwardly mobile
Mike Dunn
Money list: 67th – £28,354 (-1,973)
European Tour OOM: 56th – £2,766 (+183)
Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £400 (-2,700)
Summary: Again, veteran (sorry Mike, couldn’t resist). Mike Dunn is currently close to retaining his main tour place on both the main money list and the European Order of Merit, but given how his situation looked at the start of the season, I am sure that he would have snatched your hands off for his current position if offered that back in the summer. His best chance looks to be via the European list, from which he would currently qualify, but with three events still to go, more wins will be needed if he is to cement his place, starting in Gloucester this weekend.
Sam Baird
Money list: 68th – £26,576 (-3,751)
European Tour OOM: 22nd – £6,934 (+4,351)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Though Sam is not currently in position to retain his tour card by finishing inside the top 64 on the money list, thanks largely to back-to-back last 16 runs in European Tour events at the start of the season, he is certain to earn a tour card for 2014/15, currently heading the list of the eight players who will qualify via this route.
Zhang Anda
Money list: 69th – £25,845 (-4,482)
European Tour OOM: 115th – £0 (-2,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: Currently well down on both PTC OOMs, Zhang will need either a deep run in one of the season’s remaining PTC events if he is to earn a tour card that way, or perhaps more likely, he will need to outscore those directly above him in both these and the main ranking events, to climb into the top 64 on the money list.
Liu Chuang
Money list: 71st – £24,833 (-5,494)
European Tour OOM: 93rd – £1,000 (-1,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 9th – £3,600 (+500)
Summary: A surprising inclusion on this list, given his much higher position on the current points list, Liu Chuang needs to get wins on the board if he is to finish the season inside the top 64 on the money list. That said, Liu is also currently well placed to qualify via the Asian Tour Order of Merit, £500 inside with just one event remaining next March.
Liam Highfield – Work to do
Liam Highfield
Money list: 72nd – £24,462 (-5,865)
European Tour OOM: 72nd – £1,766 (-817)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: Having narrowly retained his tour place a couple of seasons ago, Liam Highfield looks like he will need to do it the hard way again this year, with gaps to make up in all three relevant lists. That said, with many points and pounds still to earn during the remainder of the season, he is close enough for his fate to currently be in his own hands…
James Wattana
Money list: 73rd – £24,381 (-5,946)
European Tour OOM: 89th – £1,100 (-1,483)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: Much like Highfield above, tour veteran James Wattana has work to do if he is to retain his place on the main tour for another season, but has given himself a much better chance thanks to his last 32 run at the recent International Championship in Chengdu, which brought him 7,000 closer to the all-important top 64 mark.
Tian Pengfei
Money list: 74th – £23,052 (-7,275)
European Tour OOM: 97th – £600 (-1,983)
Asian Tour OOM: 16th – £2,300 (-800)
Summary: As above, Tian Pengfei is currently poised to fall short on all three lists, but looks to have a reasonable chance of securing a place via the Asian OOM, if he can have a run to at least the last 16 of the final event next March. Otherwise, he will need to gain ground in the main money list, or have improved showings at the next three European Tour events.
Barry Pinches
Money list: 75th – £22,384 (-7,943)
European Tour OOM: 73rd – £1,749 (-834)
Asian Tour OOM: 83rd – £200 (-2,900)
Summary: The experienced Barry Pinches is another in need of of a good run somewhere, perhaps preferably at one of the three remaining European Tour events, as he currently stands just 834 from qualification via that method. Otherwise, he will need to hit form at one or more of the season’s remaining majors, to haul himself up the money list.
In form – Scott Donalson
Scott Donaldson
Money list: 76th – £21,930 (-8,397)
European Tour OOM: 34th – £4,516 (+1,933)
Asian Tour OOM: 7th – £4,100 (+1,000)
Summary: Unlike those above, Scott looks safe to retain his place on the tour for next season, either by the European or Asian Tour OOM. Given his recent form, who is to say that he cannot push on and finish higher up on the money list, but either way he looks to be secure – one way or another.
Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon
Money list: 78th – £21,569 (-8,758)
European Tour OOM: 70th – £1,917 (-666)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Like Barry Pinches, Thailand’s Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon’s best chance of staying on the main tour for 2014/15 looks to be by winning matches at the season’s remaining European Tour events, with just 666 to make up at this stage.
Paul Davison
Money list: 79th – £20,318 (-10,009)
European Tour OOM: 102nd – £583 (-2,000)
Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £400 (-2,700)
Summary: For Paul Davison, with significant deficits to make up in each of the three lists, opening round consistency between now and the end of the season will not do, with a deep run somewhere looking to be necessary, if he is to retain his tour place for another season.
Chen Zhe
Money list: 80th – £19,923 (-10,404)
European Tour OOM: 97th – £600 (-1,983)
Asian Tour OOM: 47th – £800 (-2,300)
Summary: As above for Paul Davison, Chen Zhe looks likely to require a series of victories in one particular event, if he is to put himself back into contention to retain his tour place for next season.
Tony Drago – currently safe…just!
Tony Drago
Money list: 82nd – £16,389 (-13,938)
European Tour OOM: 56th – £2,766 (+183)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Though some distance from the top 64 on the money list, the ever-popular Tony Drago is currently in position to retain his main tour card by virtue of his performances in European Tour events this season. With three events to go this season, any matches that Tony can win in these events could prove crucial to his hopes.
Adam Duffy
Money list: 83rd – £16,330 (-13,997)
European Tour OOM: 83rd – £1,166 (-1,417)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Following a brilliant début season on the main tour in 2011/12, Adam Duffy has struggled for victories during the past 18 months, with the result that he currently sits some distance from the top 64 on the money list. Similarly, he also needs wins in the seasons’ remaining European Tour events if he is to survive by that method.
Michael Wasley
Money list: 84th – £15,499 (-14,828)
European Tour OOM: 56th – £2,766 (+183)
Asian Tour OOM: 83rd – £200 (-2,900)
Summary: For Tony Drago, read Michael Wasley, who similarly looks like he will need victories in the season’s remaining three European Tour events, if he is to retain his tour card for next season. As the likes of Robbie Williams and Aditya Mehta have shown recently, do not discount a deep run at a major event either, but the European list looks to be his most realistic chance at present.
David Grace
Money list: 85th – £14,791 (-15,536)
European Tour OOM: 51st – £3,100 (+517)
Asian Tour OOM: 39th – £1,000 (-2,100)
Summary: Again, David Grace is another whose best hope of retaining his tour card looks to be via the European Tour Order of Merit and perhaps crucially, he has an additional cushion to those below him with three events still to run.
David Grace – Targets the European Tour
Craig Steadman
Money list: 86th – £14,684 (-15,643)
European Tour OOM: 93rd – £1,000 (-1,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: Behind on all three lists, Craig Steadman will need to embark upon a winning run in either one or more European Tour events, or full-ranking events if he is to give himself a chance of retaining his tour card.
Simon Bedford
Money list: 87th – £14,078 (-16,249)
European Tour OOM: 102nd – £583 (-2,000)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: As with Steadman above, Simon Bedford needs to pull something out of the bag during the second half of the season if he is to avoid relegation from the circuit next May.
Joel Walker
Money list: 89th – £12,979 (-17,348)
European Tour OOM: 66th – £2,166 (-417)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: Sheffield youngster Joel Walker trails by some 17,000 on the provisional money list, but has a realistic chance of retaining his place on the tour by the European Tour OOM route, if he can win more matches during the three remaining events of the season.
Li Yan
Money list: 90th – £12,422 (-17,905)
European Tour OOM: 115th – £0 (-2,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £400 (-2,700)
Summary: As with Steadman and Bedford, Li Yan is a player who despite a successful debut season on tour, has been unable to run deep in a number of tournaments during the past 18 months, leaving him needing to hit top form between now and the end of the campaign, if he is to retain his professional status.
MOD – Well placed on the European Tour OOM
Martin O’Donnell
Money list: 94th – £8,868 (-21,459)
European Tour OOM: 44th – £3,500 (+917)
Asian Tour OOM: N/A
Summary: The first ever winner of the Snookerbacker Classic, Martin O’Donnell, is currently well-placed to earn a fresh two-year tour card, by virtue of his strong performances in the European Tour events so far this season, in particular in Rotterdam where he reached the last 16. A few more wins in the final three events of the series should be enough.
Daniel Wells
Money list: 96th – £7,013 (-23,314)
European Tour OOM: 62nd – £2,583 (+0)
Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600 (-2,500)
Summary: While he might not be in realistic contention to retain his tour card either by the money list or the Asian OOM, Daniel is currently holding onto the final qualifying place from the European Order of Merit, some 400 ahead of the nearest threat Ian Burns.
Sean O’Sullivan
Money list: 99th – £6,209 (-24,118)
European Tour OOM: 76th – £1,583 (-1,000)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: Sean O’Sullivan is another whose hopes of retaining his place on the main tour via the money list look to be slim, however he remains well in contention to do so via the European list, if he can win matches between now and the final European Tour event of the season.
Michael Leslie
Money list: 102nd – £4,843 (-25,484)
European Tour OOM: 73rd – £1,749 (-834)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: As above, Michael looks to be reliant upon further wins during the season’s three remaining European Tour events, if he is to earn a fresh two-year tour card from 2014/15.
Jamie O’Neill – Needs a run
Passakorn Suwannawat
Money list: 104th – £3,883 (-26,444)
European Tour OOM: 102nd – £583 (-2,000)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: As above, although having not played since August’s ET4 event, rumour has it that Passakorn will not compete again on the main tour during this season, ultimately sealing his fate.
Jamie O’Neill
Money list: 112nd – £2,127 (-28,200)
European Tour OOM: 76th – £1,583 (-1,000)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: Again, Jamie is another who is reliant upon a successful run at one or more of the season’s European Tour events, if he is to retain his main tour status for a third successive season.
Mohamed Khairy
Money list: 113rd – £1,500 (-28,827)
European Tour OOM: 115th – £0 (-2,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: Mohamed Khairy’s hopes of remaining on the main tour look to be slim at best, with a deep run at either a main tour or European Tour event needed if he is to do so.
Hossein Vafaei Ayouri
Money list: 124th – £200 (-30127)
European Tour OOM: 115th – £0 (-2,583)
Asian Tour OOM: 105th – £0 (-3,100)
Summary: Due to visa issues since his IBSF World Amateur success in 2011, Hossein Vafaei Ayouri has not had the opportunity to show the world what he can do during his two-year main tour stint, that looks certain to end next May.