Latest news with #Q-School
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star announces retirement after falling off the tour
World Snooker Championship star announces retirement after falling off the tour Anthony Hamilton, who won the German Masters in 2017 and was a former World Championship quarter-finalist, has retired from snooker after 34 years as a professional Anthony Hamilton has called time on his professional career (Image: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire ) Anthony Hamilton, once a practice partner of Ronnie O'Sullivan, has announced his retirement after a run of 34 years on the World Snooker Tour. Turning pro in 1991, just a year before O'Sullivan himself hit the professional scene, Hamilton has now brought down the curtain on his top-level career. The 'Sheriff of Pottingham' never quite lived up to what many believed was his full potential. Nonetheless, his career highlights include triumphing at the German Masters in 2017, where he bested Ali Carter in the final for his maiden ranking title. His record also boasts four appearances in the quarter-finals of the World Championship. The Nottingham native had already been contemplating retirement prior to bowing out of qualifying for the 2025 World Championship, which consequently led to the loss of his tour card. Reflecting on his experiences at Q-School, where he failed in his bid to regain his card, he said: "It felt strange playing there, knowing that these could be your last couple of matches. But I'm not going to miss it because the last few years have not been that enjoyable." However, he remains fond of the sport, adding: "I probably love it again now more than I used to. I appreciate it more. I watch it more now than I used to. I love it more and I love players now because I know what they're about. Article continues below Hamilton admits it is a relief to retire (Image: Getty ) "During my prime, I didn't really focus on snooker; my interests lay elsewhere in life. Now, as an older man, I've rediscovered my love for the sport and enjoy watching it again. I'm eager to see what the future holds." O'Sullivan once praised Hamilton, describing him as "phenomenal" and a "great practice partner". In 2021, the Rocket said: "He was phenomenal, still is, just goes ton, ton, ton, ton. It's good for you to play someone like that because it rubs off on you. He was a great practice partner. "He's won the German and had a very good career. It's a compliment, but with his game he should have won more really because he's a very heavy scorer. That's why he's still competing, because of his scoring power. "Plays the right shots, plays the right game, plays in the right spirit. A bit like [Anthony] McGill maybe, plays the game nicely, good cue action, everything's nice. When he does bring his best form, he's like that every day in practice. O'Sullivan rated his practice partner very highly (Image: Getty ) "If he could bring that regularly to the match table, he'd have won multiple titles. I don't know why he hasn't because he's got bottle, he's got everything. It's a strange one. Some players you look at and think they're too good not to have won more. He's definitely one of those." Meanwhile, O'Sullivan, 49, looks set to play on following his comeback at the World Championship, where he made the semi-finals despite complaining of chronic cue issues. How often fans will see the Rocket next season remains to be seen after he missed virtually half of last season. Speaking following his Crucible defeat to eventual champion Zhao Xintong, he announced plans to quit the UK for the Middle East. He said: "I'll still try and play snooker but I don't know what the future looks like for me really. Article continues below "I'm moving away soon so I'll just see how it goes. There's a lot of more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 'phenomenal' ex-practice partner retires from snooker at 53
Anthony Hamilton, who was once described as "phenomenal" by Ronnie O'Sullivan, has called time on his 34-year snooker career after failing to regain his tour card One of Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite practice partners has announced his retirement from snooker after 34 years at the top level. Anthony Hamilton turned pro in 1991 - a year before O'Sullivan and fellow greats John Higgins and Mark Williams - and has been a constant presence on the World Snooker Tour ever since. Although he may not have reached the heights he was capable of, Hamilton's career was still marked by notable achievements, including a ranking title win at the 2017 German Masters and four World Championship quarter-final appearances. Following a loss of form and his tour card, Hamilton attempted to regain his place at Q-School but was defeated by Germany's Umut Dikme, prompting his decision to retire at 53. Hamilton said: "It felt strange playing there, knowing that these could be your last couple of matches. But I'm not going to miss it because the last few years have not been that enjoyable." However, his love for the game remains. He added: "I probably love it again now more than I used to. I appreciate it more. I watch it more now than I used to. I love it more and I love players now because I know what they're about. "Back in my prime, snooker wasn't always on my mind as I had other interests. But now I'm older, I've rediscovered my love for the game and I'm eager to see what the future holds." Hamilton was once praised by O'Sullivan, who described him as "phenomenal" and a "great practice partner" in 2021. The Rocket said: "He was phenomenal, still is, just goes ton, ton, ton, ton. It's good for you to play someone like that because it rubs off on you. He was a great practice partner. "He's won the German and had a very good career. It's a compliment, but with his game, he should have won more, really, because he's a very heavy scorer. That's why he's still competing, because of his scoring power. "Plays the right shots, plays the right game, plays in the right spirit. A bit like [Anthony] McGill maybe, plays the game nicely, good cue action, everything's nice. When he does bring his best form, he's like that every day in practice. "If he could bring that regularly to the match table, he'd have won multiple titles. I don't know why he hasn't because he's got bottle, he's got everything. "It's a strange one. Some players you look at and think they're too good not to have won more. He's definitely one of those." O'Sullivan, four years Hamilton's junior, looks set to play on following his comeback at the World Championship, where he made the semi-finals despite complaining of cue issues. Exactly how often fans will see the Rocket next season is unclear, though. Speaking following his Crucible defeat to eventual champion Zhao Xintong, he announced plans to quit the UK for the Middle East. The Rocket, who has a snooker academy in his name in Saudi Arabia, added: "I'll still try and play snooker but I don't know what the future looks like for me really. "I'm moving away soon so I'll just see how it goes. There's a lot of more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker."
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Smyth's advice for happy Howard: just keep winning
Making it in the big, bad world of professional golf is no easy feat but David Howard got some invaluable advice from one of Irish golf's greatest Tour players as he celebrated his East of Ireland win into the small hours at Baltray. There is arguably no stronger hotbed of golfing knowledge in this country than the members' bar at County Louth Golf Club after the 'East,' where great amateurs such as Declan Branigan, Mark Gannon, and Barry Reddan shoot the breeze with Des Smyth and discuss what they've just watched. Smyth, the eight-time European Tour winner and two-time Ryder Cup player, was out in links early on Sunday to see Howard hit a few shots in the third round. He was there later that evening, too, as he marvelled at Howard's 211-yard hold-up shot with a five-iron to the par-five 18th that set up the two-putt birdie that gave him his first amateur major. Howard's closing 70 in high winds gave him a one-stroke victory over Dun Laoghaire's Robert Abernethy on five-under 283. After the members had filled the Lyons Cup with four bottles of champagne, he stayed in the lounge chatting golf with the Baltray cognoscenti until three o'clock in the morning. 'Des was great,' said 26-year-old Howard, a native of the townland of Currabinny near Ringaskiddy, as he headed home with the trophy and a sore head. 'He said, 'Keep winning!' because that's the key.' While Branigan, Gannon and Reddan never contemplated turning pro in the economically challenging 1970s, Smyth headed for the pro ranks on the back of an amateur career replete with victories - the 1973 West of Ireland title and umpteen scratch cups, which were the lifeblood of Irish amateur golf during its heyday. Smyth won 11 scratch cups in 1972 alone, and after racking up 26 professional wins worldwide in a 46-year career on tour, his words hit home with Howard, who plans to try for his Tour card at the qualifying school later this year. While he has a card on the third-tier Clutch Tour, where players like James Sugrue are regulars, Howard won't be paying too many £350 entry fees and plans to concentrate on the amateur circuit. And winning. 'It doesn't make too much sense financially, so I'll probably only play another couple of events,' said Howard, a trained mechanic who is playing full-time golf this year to chase his dream despite the handicap of suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder which facilitates the colonisation and infection of the lungs by bacteria. 'I'll concentrate on the amateur circuit instead and hopefully go to Q-School.' His next outing comes in this week's Connacht Stroke Play at Galway before he plays the Amateur Championship and local qualifying for The Open at The Island as well as the South of Ireland and Irish Amateur Close Championships. He's now ranked second in the Bridgestone Men's Order of Merit behind Stuart Grehan, which means he's in position to earn one of two automatic berths on the Ireland team for the Home Internationals in Wales in August. 'I'd love that,' he said of the prospect of winning an Irish cap just a year after breaking into the Munster team. 'That would be a dream. Hopefully, my results help me get the job done.' His emergence as an elite player comes as a revelation. He started playing pitch and putt, then joined his father, John and his brothers, including PGA professional Jack, at Rafeen Creek before following them to Fota Island. He got down to plus two under the Congu handicap system, and while covid was a challenge for him due to his condition, he's never felt better thanks to modern medication. While he doesn't have a full-time coach, he occasionally takes lessons with Kevin Morris at Fota Island and hopes to keep improving this season after winning the East without his A game. 'Driving would be my strength, but I'm working on my putting and performing well in tough conditions,' added the Cork man, who won the East Cork Senior Scratch Cup for the third time in a row earlier this year. 'I decided to try the Clutch Tour after Brian Kelleher at Fota Island suggested it would be a good way to compare your game to the pros. 'I've only played one event, and it didn't go to plan, so it'll mainly be amateur golf for the rest of the summer.' He'll draw confidence from that back nine on Sunday when he played his last seven holes in two-under to get over the line thanks to that glorious five-iron to the last. 'There was pressure on the back nine, but it was tough all week from the tough side of the draw,' said Howard, who will remember his shot to the last forever more. 'It was a full send with a five iron - a little fade against the wind,' he said. 'To pull it off was lovely.'
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
LPGA Tour Rookie Crushes the Field at Riviera Maya Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The LPGA Tour headed south of the border this week for the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. The event attracted several top stars including Linn Grant, Charley Hull and Gabriela Ruffels, but it is a rookie who stole the headlines. Japanese sensation Chisato Iwai crushed the field for what turned out to be a six-shot victory. She started the final round at 6-under after 54 holes, but by the 13th hole on Sunday she had stormed into the lead, no less than eight shots clear of her main rivals. Iwai finished the front nine with five birdies and no bogeys, and added two more birdies on the 11th and 13th holes. It was not until the 14th that she made her first bogey of the day, but her lead was still seven strokes over American Jenny Bae. Through the first three rounds, Iwai remained in the thick part of the leaderboard after scores of 68, 74 and 68. Her best round of the LPGA Tour season so far is a 65 at the Honda LPGA Thailand (second round). Chisato Iwai of Japan plays her shot from the 17th tee during the final round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2025 at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on May 25, 2025 in Playa del... Chisato Iwai of Japan plays her shot from the 17th tee during the final round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2025 at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on May 25, 2025 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. MoreWith the win, Iwai became the third rookie to win this season, joining compatriot Rio Takeda, who won the Blue Bay LPGA in March, and former World No. 1 amateur Ingrid Lindblad, who won the JM Eagle LA Championship in April. By the way, Chisato's twin sister, Akie Iwai, has come close to winning twice this season, in Thailand (she finished one stroke behind Angel Yin) and in Los Angeles (she finished just one stroke behind Lindblad). Akie is also in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour. Chisato has played in seven LPGA Tour events, not counting the Mexico Riviera Maya Open. She has made five cuts and her best finish was a tie for 11th at the JM Eagle LA Championship. It was only a matter of time, however, before the 22-year-old would showcase her quality at the highest level. Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, she won seven tournaments on the Japanese professional circuit (between 2022 and 2024) and added another title this season. In addition, Chisato Iwai earned her LPGA Tour card by finishing second at the Q-School in December 2024. More Golf: LPGA Star Charley Hull Reveals Unbelievable Golf Reason She Started Smoking
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
A new Tiger leads in Turkish Open as Aussie Gale shines
World number 1964 Tiger Christensen has capitalised on a back-nine hot streak of six birdies to earn a share of the lead in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. The 22-year-old rookie, who qualified for the British Open in 2023 as an amateur, carded a six-under 65 to end the day one ahead in a three-way tie at Regnum Carya. Two shots behind was Australian Daniel Gale, who enjoyed his own hot streak, carding five successive birdies between the 11th and the 15th holes to finish with a four-under 67 in joint-sixth place. Christensen was not the only 'Tiger' in contention, however, as that is also the middle name of South African Robin Williams who joined the German youngster and France's Martin Couvra on six under after he birdied five of his first 10 holes. Christensen, who turned professional in November after coming through Q-School, was making only his third start on the European Tour, having missed the cut and finished 71st in his previous two. "I stayed patient all day. The front nine I didn't get it close enough to the hole and then made a good one from the fringe on 10 and hit it really close on 11," Christensen said afterwards. "I definitely enjoy these tournaments a lot, I'm happy to be here and take advantage as best I can." The other Australian in the field, Danny List, had a solid start, finishing on two under to lie in joint-24th position. World number 1964 Tiger Christensen has capitalised on a back-nine hot streak of six birdies to earn a share of the lead in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. The 22-year-old rookie, who qualified for the British Open in 2023 as an amateur, carded a six-under 65 to end the day one ahead in a three-way tie at Regnum Carya. Two shots behind was Australian Daniel Gale, who enjoyed his own hot streak, carding five successive birdies between the 11th and the 15th holes to finish with a four-under 67 in joint-sixth place. Christensen was not the only 'Tiger' in contention, however, as that is also the middle name of South African Robin Williams who joined the German youngster and France's Martin Couvra on six under after he birdied five of his first 10 holes. Christensen, who turned professional in November after coming through Q-School, was making only his third start on the European Tour, having missed the cut and finished 71st in his previous two. "I stayed patient all day. The front nine I didn't get it close enough to the hole and then made a good one from the fringe on 10 and hit it really close on 11," Christensen said afterwards. "I definitely enjoy these tournaments a lot, I'm happy to be here and take advantage as best I can." The other Australian in the field, Danny List, had a solid start, finishing on two under to lie in joint-24th position. World number 1964 Tiger Christensen has capitalised on a back-nine hot streak of six birdies to earn a share of the lead in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. The 22-year-old rookie, who qualified for the British Open in 2023 as an amateur, carded a six-under 65 to end the day one ahead in a three-way tie at Regnum Carya. Two shots behind was Australian Daniel Gale, who enjoyed his own hot streak, carding five successive birdies between the 11th and the 15th holes to finish with a four-under 67 in joint-sixth place. Christensen was not the only 'Tiger' in contention, however, as that is also the middle name of South African Robin Williams who joined the German youngster and France's Martin Couvra on six under after he birdied five of his first 10 holes. Christensen, who turned professional in November after coming through Q-School, was making only his third start on the European Tour, having missed the cut and finished 71st in his previous two. "I stayed patient all day. The front nine I didn't get it close enough to the hole and then made a good one from the fringe on 10 and hit it really close on 11," Christensen said afterwards. "I definitely enjoy these tournaments a lot, I'm happy to be here and take advantage as best I can." The other Australian in the field, Danny List, had a solid start, finishing on two under to lie in joint-24th position. World number 1964 Tiger Christensen has capitalised on a back-nine hot streak of six birdies to earn a share of the lead in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. The 22-year-old rookie, who qualified for the British Open in 2023 as an amateur, carded a six-under 65 to end the day one ahead in a three-way tie at Regnum Carya. Two shots behind was Australian Daniel Gale, who enjoyed his own hot streak, carding five successive birdies between the 11th and the 15th holes to finish with a four-under 67 in joint-sixth place. Christensen was not the only 'Tiger' in contention, however, as that is also the middle name of South African Robin Williams who joined the German youngster and France's Martin Couvra on six under after he birdied five of his first 10 holes. Christensen, who turned professional in November after coming through Q-School, was making only his third start on the European Tour, having missed the cut and finished 71st in his previous two. "I stayed patient all day. The front nine I didn't get it close enough to the hole and then made a good one from the fringe on 10 and hit it really close on 11," Christensen said afterwards. "I definitely enjoy these tournaments a lot, I'm happy to be here and take advantage as best I can." The other Australian in the field, Danny List, had a solid start, finishing on two under to lie in joint-24th position.
