Ken Doherty tour wildcard

He mentioned in a podcast interview with Eamon Dunphy that he doesn't want to fall into obscurity before he retires. It would be great to see him win or at least contest a final ranking event this year. Seems to have had a great run in Riga!

Only saw the quarter-final match against McGill in Riga which was pretty poor fare truth be told. But you can't knock him. Looks to be really trying to give it a go for the next two years and take full advantage of his wildcard. Hit a nice 147 in what looks like an exhibition match in Germany a couple of weeks back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=5V9IW2kM54w

Ken's on the last of his two year tour exemption, same as Jimmy. He isn't in China this week as he was beaten in qualifying by a young German player who is the current European under-21 champion. He's 65 on the rankings currently, so will be a battle for him if he wants to retain his tour card for next season. I see Hearn gave a wild card to James Wattana this year but I doubt Ken will be able to rely on getting an extension next season.

Think you have to see it in context. Ken's a guy who, right from the start, always had a bit going on other than snooker. I think he was keen to set himself up for life in financial terms and relying purely on earnings from snooker probably didnt seem all that appealing, especially in the less affluent time of the 90s. That has morphed into owning a business, probably a few bits of property here and there, a bit of commentary and other bits and pieces. Outside of snooker, what do guys like King and Hamilton have going on? Some of them tend to have involvements with snooker clubs, but from what I gathered when King won his ranking title a couple of years back, he was desperately in need of the cash.

Ken sort of went into decline about 12-13 years ago, round his mid-30s, and I dont think it was for want or practice or motivation. It just happened and I'm not sure anybody, least alone Ken himself, can fully understand why. Same thing basically with Hendry I'd say. When you've been a world champion, ranked top 2 or 3, i'd imagine it's so much more difficult to motivate yourself in your 40s than for journeymen like Hamilton or King for whom matchplay snooker remains their main breadwinner. Anyway, Ken will soon be pushing 50 and, bar something remarkable, I think we are near the end point now. Still a great career and its sad and rather shameful for the sport that we're not producing players of that distinction anymore.

Yes top 64 (Ken is 65 at moment) or in the top 8 on the one year money list (excluding those already exempt) so there's 2 chances. Jimmy will keep going until someone actively tells him he cant play anymore, he'll be back in q school next summer if he falls off the tour. Doubt Ken would be so inclined to go through that torture chamber.

Unsurprisingly Ken no match for the world champ today. Didn’t see match but Williams winning 5-0 with a highest break of 55 suggests it wasn’t up to much.

Better news for Fergal though who reached the last 32 with a win over Ali Carter.

A 6 nil hammering by Selby today.

Ken about to play Ronnie now on BBC 2 and eurosport.