So far this season there have been a number of big talking points already, but one less obvious theme that I have found interesting, particularly in recent tournaments, is the improvement of some of the players currently on the second, of their two-year tour cards.
Indeed, Joel Walker in particular has demonstrated how the decision to award two-year tour cards from 2012/13 can help players, but is he an isolated case? Continue reading for a look at how those in his position have fared as their second season enters its final months and consideration of whether generally it is now easier for tour rookies to stay on the circuit…
The Old System
Historically, it has always been notoriously difficult for new professionals, in particular young rookies, to retain their professional status beyond a single season, let alone flourish. Yes there have been exceptions, Mark Allen’s rapid rise to the top 16 being the most obvious one of the last decade, but generally far more tour rookies have fallen straight back off the tour than have not.
Why has this been the case?
Most obviously, players have had only a single season on tour, with fewer events than there are now and were burdened with the dreaded ‘starter points’, often the equivalent of the lowest surviving player from the previous season. Coupled with the previous event structure, which saw those outside of the top 64 having to win four matches in order to reach the last 32 stage of events, newcomers were immediately required to hit the ground running on joining the tour if they were to have any hope of staying on.
The New System
Times are changing however. Barry Hearn’s five-year plan has this season seen the introduction of flat 128 draws to all but three full-ranking events, while it is of course no secret that there are now far more events and far greater opportunities for young players to play the world’s elite in professional competition.
Perhaps most notably however, since the start of the 2012/13 season, all players qualifying for the 128 man main tour, outside of the top 64, have been awarded not just one, but a two-year tour place. Seeing new professionals start from zero, this not only eradicates the much-maligned starter points, but in theory allows players a chance to gain experience and hopefully, acclimatise to the professional circuit and begin to record results, before it is too late.
Does it work?
Effectively now three-quarters through their initial two-year card, we now have the first opportunity to judge whether the extra year has helped these players and clearly there are some who have benefited from the extra time.
Perhaps the most obvious is Sheffield’s Joel Walker, who having struggled throughout the majority of his first campaign, has in recent weeks begun to show much improved form.
To put it plainly, during the whole of last season Joel won just seven matches from 20 tournaments, while in 2013/14 he has already won 16, including seven during November alone.
Indeed, having seen him early on during his first season, up against last season’s rookie of the year Ian Burns at the World Championship qualifiers in April, on form I had expected a comfortable win for Burns, but Walker was to stay with him all the way, losing a close match 10-8 to bring his season to an end.
In previous seasons, Walker would have faced a trip to the Q School, or in previous years, a year in the PIOS, but with his two-year card he has been able to continue his education and this season improve to the degree that he now looks certain to retain his place on the circuit, via the European Tour Order of Merit.
Following his recent match at the UK Championship in York with Alan McManus, I asked him how much it has helped him to have a two-year card:
“I know I have been playing well recently and I just wasn’t getting the results. I gained a lot of experience last year and I think things have just started to fall into place, I have just started to play well and take my chances and win frames in one visit a lot more and that is what you have got to do if you want to become a top player.
“If I had got on and got one year I’d have been straight off, at least this year I think I have secured it for another two years from the PTCs barring a miracle. Hopefully it will help me even more, another two years to just progress.”
Another who has enjoyed an excellent second season is Scott Donaldson, who having shown flashes of his talent during his maiden season as a professional in 2012/13, has this season proven to be one of the stars of the lower half of the rankings, particularly in its early months.
With chances to retain his tour place via the European Tour Order of Merit, Asian Order of Merit and the main provisional money list, Scott is well placed to continue his rise up the rankings, which would not have been possible with just a one-year card.
Though he looks set to be relegated from the tour, fellow Scot Michael Leslie has also shown signs of improvement this season, having defeated the likes of Jack Lisowski, Matthew Stevens and Jimmy Robertson so far.
Again, I asked him in York following his comeback victory against Lisowski just how much it had helped him to have an extra year on tour and he explained:
“I mean when I look back at how I was in the first year, I was just like a headless chicken, I felt like I couldn’t get back to my seat quick enough when I was at the table looking back now.
“I feel like a completely different player in my second year, even though as it stands it looks as though I will be falling off the tour, I do feel like I have improved a lot since last year. If I can improve every year and maybe try to get back on, hopefully I can do well in the future.
“It is just improving in the matchplay, everyone is so good. Coming through the amateurs I was just a young boy coming into the pro game, I learned the hard way. I had a lot of tough draws my first year, people will say that it stood me in good stead having these great players in my first season and maybe that is why I am doing ok now.”
Of course the same does not apply to everyone, some players have come onto the tour and impressed from an early stage, while others have enjoyed a strong first season before then falling back, for example Adam Duffy in recent years.
It is also fair to say that there are arguably drawbacks as a consequence of the recent changes in snooker, including the increased expenses on the circuit due to the increase in tournaments, which may limit the ability of some newcomers to compete in enough events to be able to develop.
But that reality aside, it is clear to see now that while still difficult, it is now easier for those new to the tour to make their mark and ultimately survive on the main tour. Whether this is courtesy of strong results during their first season, or by using the experience gained to flourish during their second, the current tour structure for me at least, does help to increase opportunities for those further down the rankings.