Name: Daniel Wells
DOB: July 31st, 1988
Nationality: English
Turned Pro: 2008
Highest Ranking: #70 (2009/10)
Current Ranking: N/A
Highest Break: 132 (2009 Welsh Open Qualifiers)
Career Highlights: Winner of the 2007 Paul Hunter Scholarship, 2007 World U21 Championship Semi Finalist, 5th Position in the 2007/8 PIOS
Early career
One of several talented young Welsh players coming through at the moment, Daniel first came to the attention of the wider public when he was awarded the inaugural Paul Hunter Scholarship for the 2007/8 season. Spending a year at the academy in Sheffield, practising with top players like Ding Junhui and Peter Ebdon, he performed well in the PIOS and by finishing 5th in the rankings, secured a spot on the main tour for 2008/9.
Daniel in action during the second event of the 2007/8 PIOS season
2008/9
The first half of Daniel’s first professional season was solid if not spectacular, though he did make the third qualifying round in Bahrain and recorded impressive wins over Jimmy Michie and Liang Wenbo in the Masters qualifying tournament.
It was in the last two events where he really impressed though, again reaching the third round in the Welsh Open before going one better at the all-important World Championship qualifiers in February. It was a dramatic run in which he won his first three matches against Li Hang, Ian Preece and Marcus Campbell by a 10-9 scoreline, before he was eventually halted by Barry Hawkins, again 10-9 in the final round.
He had at least already done enough however to retain his place on the main tour for a second season.
2009/10
Daniel again enjoyed a solid start to the following season, winning his opening match at both the Shanghai Masters and the Grand Prix qualifiers.
That was to be as good as it got however, a 9-8 defeat to fellow Neath pro Michael White at the UK Championship giving himself a mountain to climb before a 10-7 defeat to David Gray at the season-ending World Championship confirmed his relegation from the tour.
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