Sporting Life
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry

Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty awarded WST wildcards for next two seasons

By Sporting Life
Snooker
Tue April 26, 2022 · 4y ago

Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty have been handed wildcards to compete on the World Snooker Tour (WST) for the next two seasons.

The decision was announced by WST chairman Steve Dawson during day 11 of the World Championship at the Crucible, an event for which seven-time champion Hendry did not attempt to qualify.

The 53-year-old Scot won just three times in 11 matches after coming out of retirement in September 2020 and accepting a two-year invitational tour card.

Doherty, who beat Hendry in the final of the 1997 World Championship, lost 6-4 to Rory McLeod in the second round of qualifying for this year’s event.

'Great ambassadors' rewarded

Dawson said: “We have decided to offer Ken Doherty and Stephen Hendry invitational tour cards for the next two seasons.

“They are both great ambassadors for our sport and they have both done a huge amount to grow snooker around the world over many years.

“Both Ken and Stephen continue to generate interest from fans, television and media.

“We wish them all the best for the next two seasons. We will review this invitation at the end of the two-year period.”

New format for UK Championship

Dawson also announced that the format for November’s Cazoo UK Championship in York has changed to mirror that of the World Championship, with the top 16 players seeded into the last 32 and the other 16 to come through qualifying.

There will be 128 players in the qualifying rounds – 112 tour players and 16 invited amateurs. Prize money has been increased to £1.2million, with the first prize up from £200,000 to £250,000.

The event will remain at the York Barbican, its home since 2011, with the televised stages running from November 12 to 20, immediately preceded by the qualifying event.

Matches will remain best of 11 frames up until the final.

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