Tweet
Ssb - michael holt wins eptc6
After a pretty calamitous start to the season, Michael Holt produced a superb performance in Prague to win the final European Players Tour Championship title of the campaign.
Holt led John Higgins 2-0 and 66-0 but lost that third frame and fell 3-2 adrift.
For his followers this looked like a familiar story and a Higgins victory was surely the only result.
But Holt dug in, won the sixth frame and easily secured the decider to win 4-3 and play his way into the PTC grand finals in Dublin next March.
Holt has recently endured a difficult time off the table due to illness in his family. His father suffered a stroke two months ago.
Who knows why players suddenly find form? Perhaps his personal situation is unrelated to his success but maybe getting back to playing snooker was a release from what is happening off table.
He said he would try and win the title for his dad and that’s what he’s done.
And he certainly did it the hard way, beating top 16 players Stephen Maguire, Jamie Cope, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Higgins.
Holt has always been a great talent but has lacked inner belief and there have been well documented times when pressure has caused him to let himself down.
But he has done himself proud tonight. This is a massive confidence boost that could turn his entire season around.
I’m delighted for him. You couldn’t meet a friendlier snooker player and, after all the knocks and disappointments, he deserves to enjoy this victory.
And his family will be very proud of him too.
More...
Holt led John Higgins 2-0 and 66-0 but lost that third frame and fell 3-2 adrift.
For his followers this looked like a familiar story and a Higgins victory was surely the only result.
But Holt dug in, won the sixth frame and easily secured the decider to win 4-3 and play his way into the PTC grand finals in Dublin next March.
Holt has recently endured a difficult time off the table due to illness in his family. His father suffered a stroke two months ago.
Who knows why players suddenly find form? Perhaps his personal situation is unrelated to his success but maybe getting back to playing snooker was a release from what is happening off table.
He said he would try and win the title for his dad and that’s what he’s done.
And he certainly did it the hard way, beating top 16 players Stephen Maguire, Jamie Cope, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Higgins.
Holt has always been a great talent but has lacked inner belief and there have been well documented times when pressure has caused him to let himself down.
But he has done himself proud tonight. This is a massive confidence boost that could turn his entire season around.
I’m delighted for him. You couldn’t meet a friendlier snooker player and, after all the knocks and disappointments, he deserves to enjoy this victory.
And his family will be very proud of him too.
More...
Comment