Jimmy White could bridge remarkable 35-year gap as Hong Kong lands major snooker ranking event
A world ranking event is set to return to Hong Kong for the first time in 35 years with the World Grand Prix moving to the Asian city in March. The 4,000-capacity Grand Hall at the Kai Tak Arena will stage the tournament between March 4-9. Jimmy White is the only player still competing on the main World Snooker Tour who played at the Hong Kong Open in 1989, the last ranking event held there.
A major World Snooker Tour ranking event is set to return to Hong Kong for the first time since 1989 when the World Grand Prix moves to the Asian city in March.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the defending champion at a competition that will host the top 32 players qualified via the sport’s one-year list with a first prize of £180,000 on the table at the 4,000-capacity Grand Hall at the new Kai Tak Arena.
A sell-out crowd at the venue would be a record audience for a ranking tournament.
The invitational Hong Kong Masters hosted a world-record crowd of 9,000 fans at the Hong Kong Coliseum two years ago when O’Sullivan defeated Marco Fu 6-4 in the final.
Jimmy White is remarkably the only player competing on the main World Snooker Tour circuit who played at the 1989 Hong Kong Open, the last ranking event staged by the city.
Mike Hallett defeated White 5-2 in the last semi-finals before edging Dene O’Kane 9-8 in the final.
White is 79th on the qualifying list as he bids to make up a 23,900 deficit on Jak Jones, who occupies the 32nd and final spot for the event.
O’Sullivan defeated Judd Trump 10-7 in last year’s World Grand Prix final in Leicester, his third title triumph at the tournament.