Pinhey Ends Q School Heartache To Turn Professional
Hayden Pinhey finally overcame the last Q School hurdle to beat Northern Irishman Gerard Greene 4-1 and gain his professional status for the first time.
England’s Pinhey has previously suffered four defeats in the final round of Q School. However, success in the last round of 2024’s event one in Leicester has seen him finally break through and gain a two-year card on the World Snooker Tour.
Pinhey’s performances in the amateur ranks have seen him earn numerous appearances on the professional circuit in recent years. He notably defeated Luca Brecel 4-2 at the 2023 WST Classic.
Having come so close at Q School in the past, Pinhey would have been forgiven for feeling the pressure in today’s encounter. However, breaks of 100 and 53 helped him to the verge of victory this morning at 3-0.
The experienced Greene made Pinhey work for it, winning two 40-minute frames to move one behind at 3-2, but Pinhey took the sixth to get over the line and achieve his dream.
“It feels amazing. To have four last round losses and make it fifth time lucky. There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I thought I was going to cry or fist pump, but the feeling was just relief,” said 27-year-old Pinhey.
“I lost to Jenson Kendrick a couple of years ago. I didn’t just lose, I fell apart. It was coming to the point where I needed to do it soon or it was going to be impossible. To finally win is amazing.”
Artemijs Zizins became Latvia’s first ever professional player after a 4-2 win over Kayden Brierley.
The 17-year-old became his country’s national champion last year after a 5-2 defeat of Rodion Judin in the final. Today sees him become a professional at the first time of asking.
Zizins put on a fine display to end Brierley’s hopes of turning professional for the first time. He crafted runs of 120, 88 and 51 on his way to victory.
Allan Taylor recovered immediately from tour relegation to regain his place on the circuit with a 4-3 defeat of former professional Chris Totten.
Taylor came from 3-2 down to win yesterday evening’s last 16 tie with Simon Blackwell 4-3. He again trailed 3-2 this afternoon, but claimed the last two frames to regain his professional status.
Taylor said: “The overriding feeling is relief. I’m sure all of the other lads have said the same. I came here with a plan. I prepared well for the World Championship and then had a couple of weeks off before getting back to business here.”
Wang Yuchen regained his place on tour with a 4-3 defeat of recently relegated Welshman Dylan Emery.
China’s Wang was on the World Snooker Tour between 2016 and 2018. After six years away, today’s result sees him seal a fresh two-year card.
