Tearful Ford Wins Snooker Shoot Out for First Ranking Title
An emotional Tom Ford secured his maiden ranking title in snooker at the Snooker Shoot Out in Leicester, marking a significant milestone in his career. The 41-year-old Leicester native defeated 20-year-old Scot Liam Graham 31-28 in a nail-biting final, claiming the £50,000 prize in front of his home crowd.
Ford, who had previously finished as a runner-up three times, dedicated this emotional victory to his late sponsor and friend Brian Todd, saying:
“I lost my sponsor and really good friend a few weeks ago. I went to his funeral on Wednesday, and that was really difficult.”
Ranked 22nd in the world, Ford made a stunning comeback from 28-8 down against Graham, ranked 100. The victory was particularly meaningful as it came in Leicester, his hometown. “To win on my home turf is absolutely brilliant,” he said.
Graham’s Impressive Run Ends in the Final
In his journey to the final, Graham managed a sensational win against four-time world champion and fellow Leicester player Mark Selby, beating him 38-20 in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Ford edged out China’s Wu Yize 37-32 on a respotted blue in another thrilling semifinal clash.
What Makes the Snooker Shoot Out Unique?
The Snooker Shoot Out is a distinctive tournament format in professional snooker. Each match consists of a single-frame game, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes and a strict shot clock, adding intense pressure to every shot.
This victory is a turning point for Ford, who had long sought a ranking title. The Shoot Out’s fast-paced nature made his win even more remarkable and well-deserved.
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