Tour Survival 2015/16 – Player by Player

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As the nights draw in and the clocks go back, it is also that time of the year when I take a close look at the battle for tour places from the start of the 2016/17 season. As regular readers will be well aware, to fully understand how each of the current tour players are currently placed, it is necessary to analyse a number of different ranking lists and orders of merit.

With two of the biggest money events to come in the International Championship and UK Championship tournaments, today I take my first player-by-player look at the current state of play and flag up some of the surprise names with work to do if they are to remain on tour for another season…

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Tour Survival 2016: The Early Running

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Two ranking tournaments into the 2015/16 campaign, already it is possible to identify some of the players who are sure of being on the main tour next season and perhaps more importantly, those whose places are at real risk.

With every pound, dollar or euro to be earned during the remainder of this season likely to be crucial, today I take my customary look at the likely qualification criteria and look at some of those to follow over the coming months…

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The Q School Qualifiers 2014

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Following two weeks of snooker at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, we now know the names of another eight professionals, following the completion of the 2014 Q School.

Click below for a round-up of the eight qualifiers, or here to view the updated roll call, setting out the latest list of confirmed professionals for the 2014/15 season…

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Vafaei Victorious In Epic IBSF Final

Congratulations to 17-year-old Iranian Hossein Vafaei who today resisted a brave fight-back from Welshman Lee Walker to capture the 2011 IBSF World Championship in Banglaore 10-9 on the final black. Having trailed 7-2 at one stage, it looked like the momentum was with Walker but eventually it was to be Vafaei who would emerge the winner to earn a nomination onto the main tour for 2012/13.

It is a historic triumph for Hossein who earlier this season won the silver medal at the 2011 Asian U-21 Championship, finishing as runner-up to China’s Cao Yupeng in Kish Island as a 16-year-old. Hossein also appeared as a wildcard at this season’s Shanghai Masters tournament, taking a frame off the experienced Fergal O’Brien in a 5-1 defeat.

A member of PJ Nolan’s Champions Academy, Hossein has been tipped by many inside the game as one to watch and now with his place on the main tour secured for next season it will be fascinating to see how he develops.

Hossein Vafaei 10-9 Lee Walker

81-30, 5-121, 72-1, 103-8, 76-4, 83-5, 62-59, 74-15, 92-0, 53-75, 73-25, 5-123, 14-80, 46-80, 73-43, 39-79, 52-57 and 58-52.