Tour Survival 2015/16 – World Championship Update

It is now crunch time in the battle for tour survival now with just the Betfred World Championship remaining during the 2015/16 season.

Continue reading for an updated look at who needs a run at Ponds Forge and who can focus solely on making it to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield…

The Links

• Click here to view the latest provisional end of season ranking list
• Click here to view the latest European Tour Order of Merit (after 6/6 events)
• Click here to view the final Asian Tour Order of Merit (after 1/1 events)
• Click here to view the prize money schedule for 2015/16

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 2016/17:

• All players ranked inside the top 64 on the two-year ranking list following the 2016 World Championship
• All players ranked outside of the top 64 on the two-year ranking list, who have joined the tour for 2015/16 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 two players ranked on the Asian Order of Merit, not already qualified.

Who will finish in the top 64?

Though it remains impossible to say with certainty what the final amount of money required to stay inside the top 64 will be, in 2014 we saw Jimmy White take the 64th and final spot with total prize money of £48,692 across the previous two seasons, while in 2015 the bar rose to £54,582.

With prize money generally having risen in the early rounds of events, but earning opportunities reduced this season by the removal of the Wuxi Classic and Indian Open events from the calendar, I would expect the final amount to perhaps fall somewhere between these two figures.

Importantly, these players will all earn a one-year tour card for the following season, but will retain their prize money earned, rather than start again from zero, as those qualifying on a two-year card by any other means will have to.

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 end of season rankings page.

For the avoidance of doubt, those players are:

• Jamie Cope, Sean O’Sullivan, Chris Wakelin, Martin O’Donnell, Hossein Vafaei Ayouri, Daniel Wells, Sanderson Lam, Ross Muir, Darryl Hill, Michael Wild, Noppon Saengkham, Gareth Allen, Alfie Burden, Fraser Patrick, Allan Taylor, Zhang Yong, James Cahill, Eden Sharav, Jason Weston, Rhys Clark, Duane Jones, Nigel Bond, Sydney Wilson, Vinnie Calabrese, Paul Davison, Jimmy White, Igor Figueiredo, Hamza Akbar, Akani Songsermsawad, Itaro Santos, Hatem Yaseen

What about the rest?

For everybody else, I will consider their prospects individually below, highlighting where they currently stand on the three respective lists (eg provisional end of season ranking list, European Order of Merit and Asian Order of Merit) and trying to summarise how they stand overall.

In the circumstances, while players above could still fall back into the danger zone with a bad run over the coming months, for the purposes of this article I am going to look at this those currently 62nd and below in the latest provisional end of season list.

Oliver Lines

Money list: 62nd – £44,208 (+5,676)

European Tour OOM: 35th – £4,875 (+2,625)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Already guaranteed to be on the tour next season thanks to his position on the European Order of Merit, the key question now for Oliver Lines is as to whether he will be able to finish the season ranked inside the top 64. As stated above, this is the difference between Lines being able to retain his prize money for ranking purposes and seeing his total reset to zero.

Although still well-placed, with a single win at the World Championship qualifiers likely to be enough to secure his status, it should be noted that Lines is without a win at an event carrying ranking points since the Gibraltar Open back in December.

His gap to 65th place has therefore been eroded from £9,100 to £5,676 since January and he will be keen to get at least one victory under his belt at Ponds Forge.

Stuart Carrington

Money list: 63rd – £42,831 (+4,299)

European Tour OOM: 34th – £5,775 (+3,525)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Carrington’s position is very similar to that of Lines above, with his tour status secure via the European Order of Merit and the crucial matter to be determined of whether he is able to retain his prize money as part of the 64 next season.

A single win at Ponds Forge should leave him in a strong position to do so.

Ian Burns

Money list: 64th – £40,722 (+2,140)

European Tour OOM: 39th – £4,050 (+1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Following victory against Peter Ebdon at the venue stages of the China Open, Ian Burns has moved up into the provisional top 64 as it stands.

As with Carrington and Lines, Ian Burns has the safety net of his position on the European Order of Merit should he drop out after the World Championship qualifiers, but he will now be hoping to cement his position there at Ponds Forge to avoid seeing his prize money total reset to zero.

Gerard Greene

Money list: 65th – £38,532 (-2,140)

European Tour OOM: 71st – £1,950 (-375)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Dropping out of the provisional top 64 following defeat in his first match in Beijing last week, Gerard Greene must now win at least one match at the World Championship qualifiers if he is to avoid having to enter Q School to remain on tour next season.

He is not in position to qualify through either the European or Asian Orders of Merit.

Craig Steadman

Money list: 66th – £36,399 (-4,323)

European Tour OOM: 84th – £1,050 (-1,275)

Asian Tour OOM: 33rd – £400 (-1,350)

Summary: When I looked at this battle back in January, Craig Steadman occupied 64th place but a tricky run of form since then has left him needing a result at the World Championship qualifiers if he is to avoid the prospect of Q School in May.

He will require at least one, possibly multiple victories at Ponds Forge if he is to remain on tour.

David Morris

Money list: 67th – £35,633 (-5,089)

European Tour OOM: 84th – £1,050 (-1,275)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Having risen as high as 51st in the rankings 12 months ago, Ireland’s David Morris finds himself needing wins at the World Championship qualifiers if he is to avoid having to come through Q School to remain on tour.

Not in contention on either the European and Asian lists, like Steadman he is likely to need multiple victories in Sheffield to stay on.

Liam Highfield

Money list: 68th – £34,816 (-5,906)

European Tour OOM: 65th – £2,250 (-75)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Liam Highfield was a big mover at the China Open despite not having qualified for the final stages of the event.

With Ian Burns moving up into the top 64, the tour place that Burns was previously set to take via the European Order of Merit effectively passes to Highfield, who moves up into the eight eligible players via that criteria.

This could yet change, for example if either Burns, Stuart Carrington or Oliver Lines were to drop out of the top 64 following the World Championship qualifiers.

In this sense, Liam’s fate is out of his own hands, although he remains well within striking distance of himself breaking into the world’s top 64, if he is able to win at least one match at the World Championship qualifiers next week.

Zhang Anda

Money list: 69th – £32,566 (-8,156)

European Tour OOM: 57th – £2,850 (+600)

Asian Tour OOM: 5th – £1,750 (+450)

Summary: Although he is outside of the world’s top 64 as things stand, Zhang Anda is sufficiently high enough on both the European and Asian Orders of Merit to be sure of his place on tour for next season.

As things stand, he would do so via the Asian Order of Merit, due to the last Asian event having taken place prior to the final European event chronologically.

Cao Yupeng

Money list: 70th – £31,575 (-9,147)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: 33rd – £400 (-1,350)

Summary: For Cao Yupeng only a place inside of the world’s top 64 will do if he is to remain on tour for next season.

Defeat to Stuart Bingham at the China Open means that he needs to win a minimum of two matches at the World Championship qualifiers to climb into the top 64.

Peter Lines

Money list: 71st – £29,925 (-10,797)

European Tour OOM: 78th – £1,425 (-900)

Asian Tour OOM: 17th – £800 (-950)

Summary: Outside of the qualifying places via the European and Asian Orders of Merit, Peter Lines must at least qualify for the Crucible if he is to avoid a trip to Q School to remain on tour.

Anthony Hamilton

Money list: 72nd – £29,323 (-11,399)

European Tour OOM: 64th – £2,325 (+75)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Struggling for form and results towards the end of 2015, the situation looked to be fairly bleak for former world number 10 Anthony Hamilton in respect of his main tour position. A recent resurgence however has seen him climb up into the qualifying position via the European Order of Merit, two victories in Gdynia enough to do so.

This does not mean that he is guaranteed to remain on tour, like Liam Highfield mentioned above insofar as he could miss out should two players higher than him on the European list drop outside of the top 64.

For example if two of Oliver Lines Stuart Carrington and Ian Burns were to drop outside of the top 64, they could then take Hamilton’s position from the European list.

Again, he must now qualify for the Crucible if he is to break back into the top 64.

Michael Georgiou

Money list: 73rd – £28,591 (-12,131)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: 17th – £800 (-950)

Summary: Out of position on both the European and Asian lists, Michael Georgiou must win at least three matches and qualify for the Crucible if he is to break into the top 64 by the end of the season.

Mitchell Mann

Money list: 74th – £27,541 (-13,181)

European Tour OOM: 45th – £3,675 (+1,425)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Perhaps the biggest winner from the recent Gdynia Open at which he won three matches to reach the last 16, Mitchell Mann has assured himself of a fresh tour card via the European Order of Merit.

If he is to break into the world’s top 64 however he must at least qualify for the Crucible, likely reach the last 16 as it stands.

Lee Walker

Money list: 75th – £26,233 (-18,799)

European Tour OOM: 42nd – £3,750 (+1,500)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Following his last 32 run at the China Open, Walker requires at least a last 16 appearance at the World Championship if he is to break into the top 64.

He can at least relax knowing that he has already done enough at European Tour events to be sure of his main tour place for the 2016/17 season regardless of events at Ponds Forge.

Joel Walker

Money list: 76th – £24,666 (-16,056)

European Tour OOM: 68th – £2,100 (-225)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Sheffield’s Joel Walker must reach the last 16 of the World Championship if he is to break into the top 64 and remain on tour as of right next season.

There is still perhaps also a glimmer of hope via the European Order of Merit, if one player already qualified via that list is able to break into the top 64 at the expense of a player who is not.

Scott Donaldson

Money list: 81st – £16,941 (-23,781)

European Tour OOM: 59th – £2,775 (+525)

Asian Tour OOM: 17th – £800 (-950)

Summary: Crucially able to win his opening match at the Gdynia Open, Scott Donaldson looks certain to be on tour next season thanks to his position on the European Order of Merit.

At least a quarter-final at the World Championship is required if he is to break into the world’s top 64.

Zak Surety

Money list: 83rd – £14,616 (-26,106)

European Tour OOM: 71st – £1,950 (-375)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Michael Wasley

Money list: 84th – £14,582 (-26,140)

European Tour OOM: 128th – £0 (-2,250)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Barry Pinches

Money list: 86th – £13,639 (-27,083)

European Tour OOM: 128th – £0 (-2,250)

Asian Tour OOM: 17th – £800 (-950)

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Chris Melling

Money list: 88th – £12,757 (-27,965)

European Tour OOM: 78th – £1,425 (-900)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Michael Leslie

Money list: 91st – £11,422 (-29,300)

European Tour OOM: 71st – £1,950 (-375)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Tony Drago

Money list: 92nd – £10,941 (-29,781)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon

Money list: 95th – £8,800 (-31,922)

European Tour OOM: 128th – £0 (-2,250)

Asian Tour OOM: 17th – £800 (-950)

Summary: Requires at least a quarter-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Lu Ning

Money list: 98th – £6,817 (-33,905)

European Tour OOM: 128th – £0 (-2,250)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Steven Hallworth

Money list: 101st – £6,191 (-34,531)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Thor Chuan Leong

Money list: 102nd – £5,925 (-34,797)

European Tour OOM: 31st – £5,925 (+3,675)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Having earned just £5,925 during his two-year tour card to date, readers could be forgiven for thinking that Malaysia’s Chuan Thor Leong faces relegation from the circuit this season.

However, all of that prize money has been earned during this season’s European Tour events and so is comfortably guaranteed to earn a fresh tour card for the next two seasons via the European Order of Merit.

Ian Glover

Money list: 104th – £4,141 (-36,581)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: 33rd – £400 (-1,350)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Lyu Chenwei

Money list: 105th – £4,125 (-36,597)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £525 (-1,800)

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Rouzi Maimati

Money list: 111th – £2,100 (-38,622)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: 33rd – £400 (-1,350)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Ju Reti

Money list: 114th – £1,400 (-39,322)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: 65th – £0 (-1,750)

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Liu Chuang

Money list: 119th – £600 (-40,122)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.

Steve Mifsud

Money list: 121st – £0 (-40,722)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Requires at least a semi-final at the World Championship to break into the top 64 and remain on tour.