Borg gets WSA wild card for Main Tour entry
Malta Cup - Jan. 29-Feb. 4
Alex Borg will again play in the World Snooker Association (WSA) Main Tour next season after receiving a wild card entry yesterday.
Borg, winner of the European Championship for a second successive time earlier this month, was hoping to get the green light to play on the professional tour in 2006/07 after slipping out of contention at the end of last season by a mere 88 ranking points.
In 2005, Borg gained entry to the Main Tour via his European Championship triumph in Poland.
However, this year that slot went to beaten finalist Jeff Cundy as Borg lost his chance after finishing in the world rankings red zone at the end of the season.
The WSA yesterday awarded two wild cards, one to Borg and the other to Sean Storey. Borg starts the season at no.73.
Tony Drago will also need to play qualifiers to reach the first round of major tournaments next season.
The first qualifiers will be played on July 27 in Prestatyn, Wales.
At stake will be first-round berths for the new Northern Ireland Open, now graded among the ranking events.
The calendar also includes the four majors - the Grand Prix, the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Snooker Championship - as well as the Welsh Open and overseas trips to Malta and China.
The Malta Cup, at the Hilton Portomaso, will be played between January 29 and February 4, 2007.
WSA Main Tour prize-money in 2006-07 will be £3.26 million.