Tour Survival 2013/14 – Player by Player (April Update)

A week on from my previous look at the race for main tour survival, we are down to the final tournament of the season, the 2014 World Championship, which begins in earnest on Tuesday.

Click below then for an updated look at the current position, following a massive week for the likes of Jimmy White and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, but in particular Mike Dunn who with his unlikely semi-final run in Beijing secured his main tour status for another season…

  • Click here to view the latest provisional money list
  • Click here to view the final European Tour Order of Merit
  • Click here to view the final Asian Tour Order of Merit
  • Click here to view my previous article on the early running
  • Click here to view my look at my previous post on the tour survival race (March 2013)
  • Click here to view the prize money schedule for 2013/14

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 2013/14 as follows:

  • All players ranked inside the top 64 on the two-year prize money list following the 2014 World Championship
  • All players ranked outside of the top 64 on the two-year prize money list, who have joined the tour for 2013/14 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 four players ranked on the Asian Order of Merit, not already qualified as above.

So the important point to note is that it will be the top 64 on the money list, NOT the current points list, who will automatically earn a tour card for 2014/15 as of right.

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, the position has become clearer in recent weeks and my educated guess would be that everyone currently inside the top 59 should be safe, barring something strange happening.

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.

Dunn1

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 money list page.

For the avoidance of doubt, those players are:

  • Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson, David Morris, Lyu Haotian, Stuart Carrington, Alex Davies, Joe Swail, Li Hang, Noppon Saengkham, John Astley, Hammad Miah, Andrew Pagett, Vinnie Calabrese, Elliot Slessor, Andrew Norman, Robin Hull, Ratchayothin Yotharuk, Ross Muir, Chris Norbury, Chris Wakelin, Jin Long, Cao Xinlong, Patrick Einsle, James Cahill, Lee Page, Fraser Patrick, Alex Borg, Shi Hanqing, Allan Taylor, Ryan Clark, Alexander Ursenbacher, Ahmed Saif, Lee Spick, Jak Jones, Igor Figueiredo

What about the rest?

For everybody else, I will consider their prospects individually below, highlighting where they currently stand on the three respective lists and trying to summarise how they stand overall.

I have colour coded the competitions below to show at a glance how each player is currently positioned in each list.

Jimmy White

Money list: 60th – £48,692 (+4,842)

European Tour OOM: 95th – £1,183

Asian Tour OOM: 81st – £400

Summary: Following victories against David Morris and Alfie Burden out in Beijing, Jimmy White has given his tour survival hopes a significant boost, extending the gap between himself and 65th place by some £3,600.

I would not go as far as to say that he is definitely safe yet, indeed it is not impossible that five of the players below him could overtake him, but an opening round win against either Ian Burns or Fraser Patrick would definitely see the Whirlwind safe for yet another season.

WhiteThepchaiya Un-Nooh

Money list: 61st – £48,660 (+4,810)

European Tour OOM: 83rd – £2,166

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: As with Jimmy above, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh enjoyed a productive tournament in China, with his 5-0 victory against Ken Doherty earning him an extra £3,500 towards his money list total.

Again, I would not yet be confident enough to declare the Thai player safe, but victory against either David Morris or Alexander Ursenbacher in the first round of the World Championship should prove more than enough for him to remain on tour.

Peter Lines

Money list: 62nd – £45,720 (+1,870)

European Tour OOM: 66th – £4,049

Asian Tour OOM: 81st – £400

Summary: Leading Mike Dunn 4-1 in the last 64 of the China Open last week, Leeds’ Peter Lines looked set to take a giant leap towards staying on the main tour for next season.

Just a couple of hours later however, Peter had lost 5-4 on the black and as a result will most likely need to win his opening match of the World Championship qualifiers against either Jamie O’Neill or Cao Xinlong, if he is to join son Oliver on the tour next season.

Lines

Scott Donaldson

Money list: 63rd – £44,213 (+363)

European Tour OOM: 38th – £6,699

Asian Tour OOM: 8th – £4,700

Summary: As illustrated by the green text above, Donaldson is in the enviable position this season of currently being safe via every ranking list, so there is no doubt that he will remain on tour for at least another year.

The only question now is whether Scott will remain inside the top 64 on the main money list and therefore retain his current total, or whether he will qualify via the European Order of Merit and be forced to start again on zero.

Scott has been handed a favourable draw at the World Championship qualifiers against Ahmed Saif, victory enough to see him add a further £1,000 to his tally, while Cao Yupeng stands in the way of a further £4,000 available for a third round run.

Tian Pengfei

Money list: 64th – £43,902 (+52)

European Tour OOM: 82nd – £2,183

Asian Tour OOM: 18th – £2,900

Summary: Tian entered the China Open needing at least one victory to break into the top 64 and that is exactly what he got, a good 5-2 against Gary Wilson seeing him up to 64th.

Losing in the next round to Mike Dunn however, Tian will in all likelihood need to at least defeat either Tony Drago or Robin Hull if he is to save his tour card for next season.

Luca Brecel

Money list: 65th – £43,850 (-52)

European Tour OOM: 39th – £6,599

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: As with Scott Donaldson and Sam Baird above, Luca Brecel will remain a professional for next season regardless of what happens at the World Championship, but will be hoping to do so by finishing up inside the top 64.

China was to be a success for Luca, two victories seeing him all but eradicate the £4,000 gap to 64th place, while he will now face Lee Page and if he can win that, potentially Yu Delu in the next round.

Time will tell, but with £1,000 available for one win, £5,000 for two, I suspect that he will need to win both if he is to break into the top 64.

Brecel

Sam Baird

Money list: 66th – £42,933 (-969)

European Tour OOM: 11th – £16,351

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: As above re: Luca, Sam will probably need a couple of wins if he is to break into the top 64, John Astley awaiting him in the first round, with Jamie Cope set to face the winner.

Again, Sam will be safe in the knowledge that he is guaranteed to stay on tour courtesy of his results on the European Tour this season.

Steve Davis

Money list: 68th – £42,476 (-1,426)

European Tour OOM: 60th – £4,866

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Due to victories for those around him in China this week, Steve Davis has lost ground in the fight for a top 64 place, which he must achieve if he is to remain on tour this season.

Victory against either Jak Jones or Craig Steadman would earn Steve an extra £4,500, which as it stands would see him move up six places to 62nd.

Having fallen three places this week however, with some of those above him bound to win their openers, I now strongly suspect that Davis will have to go on to defeat Dechawat Poomjaeng in the next round also if he is to stay on tour.

Can he do it?

Davis

Robbie Williams

Money list: 71st – £37,375 (-6,527)

European Tour OOM: 26th – £9,115

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Already safe courtesy of his results on the European Tour this season, Robbie must win at least three matches at the World Championship qualifiers, if he is to finish inside the top 64 on the two-year money list.

James Wattana

Money list: 72nd – £36,964 (-6,938)

European Tour OOM: 91st – £1,683

Asian Tour OOM: 70h – £600

Summary: Following a good run at the China Open last week, James must win at least three, possibly four matches and qualify for the Crucible, if he is to retain his tour card for next season. First up for him will be a clash with Malta’s Alex Borg, with potentially Marcus Campbell awaiting in the second round.

Wattana

Barry Pinches

Money list: 73rd – £34,684 (-9,218)

European Tour OOM: 49th – £5,949

Asian Tour OOM: 59th – £800

Summary: Already safe through the European Order of Merit, Barry must qualify for the Crucible if he is to retain his place by finishing up inside the top 64. First up for him will be Hammad Miah, with Alfie Burden and Rod Lawler lurking further up the draw.

Ian Burns

Money list: 74th – £34,537 (-9,365)

European Tour OOM: 44th – £6,266

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: As above for Barry Pinches, Ian must qualify for the Crucible for the first time if he is to threaten the top 64 on the two-year money list. First up will be Fraser Patrick, with potentially Jimmy White and Tian Pengfei further up the road.

Zhang Anda

Money list: 75th – £32,978 (-10,924)

European Tour OOM: 67th – £3,933

Asian Tour OOM: 59th – £800

Summary: Zhang must at least qualify for the Crucible and depending upon other results, possibly reach the last 16 in Sheffield if he is to retain his tour card for next season without needing to come through Q School.

Liu Chuang

Money list: 76th – £31,083 (-12,819)

European Tour OOM: 108th – £1,000

Asian Tour OOM: 12th – £3,600

Summary: Already safe through the Asian Order of Merit, Liu must reach the last 16 of the World Championship if he is to break into the top 64 on the two-year money list.

Walker

Joel Walker

Money list: 77th – £30,512 (-13,390)

European Tour OOM: 35th – £7,199

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Having struggled for victories during his maiden season on tour in 2012/13, Joel has shown rapid improvement this term, particularly in the European Tour events which has ensured that he will remain on tour for the next two seasons.

Joel will need to reach the last 16 in his home city of Sheffield if he is to stand any chance of breaking into the top 64.

Craig Steadman

Money list: 79th – £28,784 (-15,118)

European Tour OOM: 77th – £2,600

Asian Tour OOM: 120th – £0

Summary: Despite a good run at last week’s China Open, Craig will in all likelihood need to make the last eight in Sheffield if he is to remain on tour for next season.

Paul Davison

Money list: 80th – £26,601 (-17,301)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £1,166

Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £600

Summary: Paul’s hopes of avoiding a trip to Q School in a couple of months look to be slim, with a quarter-final run at the World Championship needed in order to see him into the top 64.

Liam Highfield

Money list: 81st – £25,462 (-18,440)

European Tour OOM: 75th – £2,766

Asian Tour OOM: 54th – £600

Summary: As with Davison above, Liam must reach the last eight of the World Championship if he is to avoid having to enter Q School to remain on tour for another season.

Wasley

Michael Wasley

Money list: 83rd – £24,782 (-19,120)

European Tour OOM: 47th – £6,049

Asian Tour OOM: 94th – £200

Summary: Thanks to his results on the European Tour this season, Michael will be one of the eight players to earn a two-year tour card from next season via that route, with only a number of wins in China and Sheffield now enough to see him into the top 64.

Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon

Money list: 86th – £22,769 (-21,133)

European Tour OOM: 72nd – £2,917

Asian Tour OOM: 94th – £200

Summary: Only the £25,000 from a Crucible quarter-final will be enough to save Thanawat’s tour status for 2014/15.

Tony Drago

Money list: 87th – £21,889 (-22,013)

European Tour OOM: 55th – £5,266 

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Having seen Sam Baird drop out of the top 64 following the China Open, as it stands, Tony is now set to miss out on a main tour place for next season, as having finished above Tony on the European Order of Merit, Sam effectively takes his place.

Much can still change however, with both Luca Brecel and Sam Baird just outside of the top 64 and with every chance of breaking back into that group with a good run next week.

It is effectively out of his own hands barring a strong run at the Crucible, but my gut feeling is that one of Luca or Sam will do enough to move up into the top 64 and hand Tony a lifeline. We shall see…

Drago

Chen Zhe

Money list: 88th – £20,123 (-23,779)

European Tour OOM: 111th – £600

Asian Tour OOM: 51st – £1,000

Summary: It now looks as though Chen will need to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship if he is to retain his tour card without needing to re-qualify through Q School.

David Grace

Money list: 89th – £19,974 (-23,928)

European Tour OOM: 53rd – £5,283

Asian Tour OOM: 51st – £1,000

Summary: Like Tony Drago above, David is currently sweating on other results and following Sam Baird’s drop outside of the top 64, will now be hoping that Scott Donaldson is able to remain in that bracket.

Should Donaldson drop out (unlikely you would think, Ahmed Saif awaiting him in his opening match), Scott would retain his place through the European Merit, effectively taking Grace’s place.

I would be very shocked to see all of Donaldson, Baird and Brecel finish outside of the top 64, but again, stranger things have happened.

Grace

Adam Duffy

Money list: 90th – £19,330 (-24,572)

European Tour OOM: 99th – £1,166

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Adam’s hopes look to be slim, with potentially even a quarter-final run at his home tournament not enough to see him retain his place on the tour as of right.

Martin O’Donnell

Money list: 91st – £16,968 (-26,934)

European Tour OOM: 59th – £5,100

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: For Martin O’Donnell, only a semi-final run at the Crucible would be enough for him to climb up into the top 64 on the two-year money list.

There is however another hope for Martin, should another two spot open up on the European Order of Merit, as he would be second in line after Tony Drago.

In short, Martin must effectively hope that Scott Donaldson, Luca Brecel and Sam Baird are all able to break into/remain inside the top 64 on the two-year provisional money list if he is to claim a place.

At first glance it would appear to be a tall order, but with those three currently 63rd, 65th and 66th, it is far from impossible…

ODonnell

Li Yan

Money list: 93rd – £15,422 (-28,480)

European Tour OOM: 130th – £0

Asian Tour OOM: 81st – £400

Summary: Needs to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.

Jamie O’Neill

Money list: 95th – £14,377 (-29,525)

European Tour OOM: 93rd – £1,583

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Needs to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.

Simon Bedford

Money list: 96th – £14,078 (-29,824)

European Tour OOM: 116th – £583

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Relegated.

Michael Leslie

Money list: 98th – £11,443 (-32,459)

European Tour OOM: 79th – £2,349

Asian Tour OOM: 120th – £0

Summary: Needs to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.

Daniel Wells

Money list: 99th – £11,263 (-32,639)

European Tour OOM: 78th – £2,583

Asian Tour OOM: 70th – £600

Summary: Needs to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.

Sean O’Sullivan

Money list: 101st – £9,209 (-33,367)

European Tour OOM: 93rd – £1,583

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Needs to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.

Passakorn Suwannawat

Money list: 110th – £3,883 (-40,019)

European Tour OOM: 116th – £583

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Relegated.

Mohamed Khairy

Money list: 117th – £1,500 (-442,402)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Relegated.

Hossein Vafaei Ayouri

Money list: 125th – £200 (-43,702)

European Tour OOM: N/A

Asian Tour OOM: N/A

Summary: Relegated.