The World Pool Championship in Saudi Arabia is quickly approaching and this week’s UK Open Pool Championship acts as the final chance for the World Nineball Tour professionals to qualify for the tournament.
Click here for the UK Open Pool Championship 2024 draw bracket, prize fund and how to watch
The top 100 players on the WNT professional rankings who have signed on to the WNT circuit will be invited to the life-changing tournament in the Middle East.
Former World Cup of Pool runner-up Toh Lian Han of Singapore current sits directly on the bubble following a 9-7 losers qualification win over Phuong Nam Pham, a crucial victory in the race towards South Arabia.
Jeffrey Ignacio and Masato Yoshioka have also provisionally qualified by virtue of their Telford exploits, with Japan’s Yoshioka notably coming through a hill-hill winners qualification contest against Szymon Kural.
Jefrey Roda kept his World Championship hopes alive with a 9-8 win over Sam Henderson, ending the American teenager’s slim hopes, while his Filipino compatriot Marvin Asis will need to reach the last 16 to force his way in.
Teenagers Kledio Kaci and Karl Gnadeberg have attracted attention in Telford and both remain without touching distance of the World Championship. Last 64 victories for both would move them inside the provisional top 100.
Those who miss out on the top 100 in the world nineball rankings or are inside but not signed players will require an invitation from either promoters Matchroom, local federations or the WPA, with 28 wildcard spots distributed.
WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Top 100 WNT professionals qualify
92 Ajdin Piknjac $7,314
93 Riku Rompannen $7,210
94 Daniel Guttenberger $6,849
95 Nicholas De Leon $6,720
96 Jeffrey Ignacio $5,713
97 Donny Mills $6,708
98 Masato Yoshioka $6,397
99 Fu Che-Wei $6,250
100 Toh Lian Han $6,078101 Chris Alexander $5,830
102 Albert James Manas $5,757
103 Phuong Nam Pham $5,600
104 Jefrey Roda $5,563
105 Kledio Kaci $5,561106 Luong Duc Thien $5,485
107 Karl Gnadeberg $5,480108 Kuo Po-Cheng $5,288
109 Ko Ping-Han $5,263
110 Bui Truong An $5,226111 Ante Sola $5,194
112 Marvin Asis $5,002
Correct ahead of UK Open single elimination phase, with Last 64 earnings added
