• Home
  • Snooker
  • Fergal O'Brien bounces straight back to the World Snooker Tour but hints at "limited schedule"

Fergal O'Brien bounces straight back to the World Snooker Tour but hints at "limited schedule"

Fergal O'Brien said he would focus his efforts on a "limited schedule" after he came through Q School event one in Sheffield to earn a two-year card to the World Snooker Tour.

The 50-year-old Irishman joined Rod Lawler, Andy Lee and Bai Langning in securing a place on the professional circuit for the seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24.
The former world number nine and British Open winner was relegated from the tour at the end of last season but bounced straight back with a 4-1 win over Rory McLeod.
"It's a tough week," he told World Snooker Tour.
"If you don't get through the first event here then the pressure is only going to build.
"I'm really proud of the way I battled for everything and kept a good attitude.
"A couple of weeks ago I wasn't even sure whether I would play in Q School. If I was going to play then I was going to give it everything."
O'Brien revealed he would be more selective in the competitions he chooses to play in over the next two years so that he has a better work-life balance.
He said: "I don't see myself playing more than two more years and I plan to play a limited schedule.
"Over the last couple of years I've been chasing points and haven't always enjoyed it. That frees me up to choose the tournaments I want to play and take more breaks."
The former International Open finalist Lawler let slip a 3-1 lead against Brandon Sargeant in the final round but came through the decider 4-3 to return to the professional tour.
"I'm really delighted to be back on tour," he said.
"I can't give up the enjoyment of the battle, that's what I have really missed over the past year. I'm coming towards the end of my career so I have to embrace the next two years and enjoy it."

Lee of Hong Kong will return for his third time after a two-year absence following a 4-2 win over Luke Simmonds and the 41-year-old said the make-or-break nature of Q School had him on edge.

"It's disbelief, I'm shocked to have got through," said Lee.
"When Covid hit in 2020 I went back to Hong Kong and I couldn't come back to the UK. So I haven't been playing to any kind of elite level over the past two years. I have practised occasionally with Marco Fu which has really helped.
"The last round of Q School is the worst match that any snooker player can be involved in. There is so much at stake, it's all or nothing."
READ MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan will 'definitely break the record' for most Crucible wins

More Articles