Ex-professional turned pundit Karl Boyes will make his UK Open Pool Championship debut this week, receiving a wildcard from promoters following a relatively successful return at the Scottish Open in Glasgow.
Boyes overcame both Jonas Souto Comino and Albin Ouschan during a valiant campaign in Scotland, before back-to-back defeats at the hands of Aloysius Yapp and Jayson Shaw ended his bid in the losers’ qualification round.
The former US Open Pool Championship runner-up executed three clutch shots as well as a break and run after Souto Comino hooked himself on the hill, before compiling four break and runs in a statement victory over two-time world champion Ouschan.
Having dusted off his cues, Boyes will make his maiden UK Open appearance at the Telford International Centre and has received a tough test in Poland’s Konrad Juszczyszyn in the opening round.
Boyes allegedly retired from professional pool a number of years ago, since making brief appearances on the Ultimate Pool tour in English pool and notably reaching the 2021 World Cup of Pool final alongside Darren Appleton.
His fellow pundit and commentator, former US Open winner Jeremy Jones, also returned for the Scottish Open, enduring back-to-back losses, although he’s also received a wildcard for the UK Open in Telford.
The UK Open Pool Championship takes place from May 7-12 at the Telford International Centre, with Matchroom Pool’s YouTube channel showing the opening four days followed by the last 16 onwards on Sky Sports.
