Pullen, Ursenbacher, Brown and Baranowski Secure Tour Cards
Liam Pullen, Alexander Ursenbacher, Oliver Brown and Mateusz Baranowski secured two-year cards for the World Snooker Tour after successfully negotiating the Q School gauntlet at Event One in Leicester.
Pullen earned an immediate tour return by beating Germany’s Umut Dikme 4-2 in his final round match.
The Yorkshire cueman suffered relegation at the end of last term, having first qualified as a professional with success at Q School in 2023. 19-year-old Pullen displayed glimpses of his potential in his maiden stint on tour, including a run to the last 16 of the Shoot Out and the last 32 of the International Championship. However, he didn’t do enough to secure his place on the circuit.
This morning’s clash with Dikme saw Pullen compose runs of 73, 82 and 58 to wrap up victory.
“The overriding emotion is relief. I’d rather have stayed on tour the proper way and been in the world’s top 64, but I’m here and I’ve come through this week,” said former WSF Junior Championship runner-up Pullen.
“When you have been on tour for a couple of years this is a bit of a come down. The environment is totally different. Even in that match there, I had a lot of knocks. I went to the toilet and I was in bits. I had a strong word with myself and I’m glad I found a way to get over the line. I know deep inside I should be on tour, but to do it, win and pot those balls is a different kettle of fish.”
Ursenbacher also booked an instant bounce back to the circuit with a 4-1 win over English 23-year-old Ryan Davies.
Swizerland’s Ursenbacher is a Q School veteran, having now come through the process no fewer than four times. He last qualified in 2023, but after two disappointing years on tour he dropped off following this season’s World Championship.
The former English Open semi-finalist, who has 3-0 head-to-head record with Ronnie O’Sullivan, top scored with 61 in today’s win.
“I’ve changed my mindset a bit. I just can’t keep doing this for much longer. I don’t know how I keep doing it, my record in Q School is quite good. I’m just really proud and I want to make the next step now,” said 29-year-old Ursenbacher.
“I want to do what I dreamed of as a kid. I’m getting older and I see all these youngsters achieving stuff. You see the likes of Xintong winning the World Championship. At some time you have to stop kidding yourself.
“You can talk all you want, but actions count and words mean nothing. I’ve always said what I think and what I feel, but discipline was a big problem for me. I know if I put the work in I will get results.”
Brown sealed his return after a year away from the tour with a 4-1 win over fellow former professional Craig Steadman.
The Englishman first qualified for the World Snooker Tour by winning the European Championship in 2021. However, he was only able to muster ten match wins in his first two years and was relegated in 2023.
After losing the opening frame this morning, Brown reeled off four on the bounce to prevail and give himself another shot at snooker’s top table.
Brown said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I was half expecting not to get this far, but I just showed some real grit and determination this week. I’m really proud of myself and over the moon to be back on tour.
“The reason I’ve won today is because of my family. I have to pot the balls, but they give me self belief and make it as if it doesn’t really matter, win or lose. I feel very fortunate to be in that position.”
