2016–17 snooker season explained

Tournaments:37 (19 ranking events)
Previous:2015–16
Next:2017–18

The 2016–17 snooker season was a series of professional snooker tournaments played between 5 May 2016 and 1 May 2017.

The number of ranking events was increased in 2016/17, with a target of 20 ranking events for 2017/18. According to the World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, total prize money for the World Snooker Tour in 2016/17 hit £10 million for the first time ever. The trophy for the Masters was renamed the Paul Hunter trophy in perpetuity, in memory of the three-time Masters champion who died in 2006.[1]

The Snooker Shoot Out became a ranking event for the first time.[2] The Australian Goldfields Open was cancelled.

The Players Championship featured the top-16 players on the one year ranking list, as the Players Tour Championship has been cancelled and no order of merit was issued.[3]

The new Home Nations Series was introduced in this season with the English Open, Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open and Welsh Open tournaments. The winner of all four tournaments could earn a massive £1 million bonus prize.[4]

Mark Selby won five ranking events during the season with Anthony McGill and Judd Trump each winning twice. Trump appeared in five ranking event finals during the season.

Players

The top 64 players from the prize money rankings after the 2016 World Championship,[5] and the 30 players earning a two-year card the previous year automatically qualified for the season (Vinnie Calabrese has resigned his membership).[6] The top eight players from the European Tour Order of Merit and top two players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit, who have not already qualified for the Main Tour, also qualify. Another two players come from the EBSA Qualifying Tour Play-Offs,[7] and a further twelve places were available through the Q School.[8] [9] The rest of the places on to the tour come from the amateur events and national governing body nominations. Yan Bingtao's two-year tour card will commence this season. Also, since Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry have both retired from professional play, only James Wattana was offered an Invitational Tour Card.[10] The list of all professional players in the 2016/2017 season includes 129 players.[11]

New professional players

All players listed below received a tour card for two seasons.

  1. [12]
  2. [13]
  3. EBSA European Championship winner: [14]
  4. EBSA European Under-21 Championship winner: [15]
  5. ACBS Asian Championship winner:
  6. ACBS Asian Under-21 Championship winner:
  7. Oceania Championship winner: [16]
European Tour Order of Merit
Asian Tour Order of Merit
  • EBSA Qualifying Tour Play-Offs[17]
  • Q School

    • See main article: 2016 Q School.

    Event 1
    Event 2
    Order of Merit[18] [19]
    CBSA China Tour
    Invitational Tour Card
  • Deferred Tour Card

    • Calendar

    The following tables outline the dates and results of all events of the World Snooker Tour, World Women's Snooker, the World Seniors Tour, and other events.[20] [21] [22] [23]

    World Snooker Tour

    StartFinishTournamentVenueWinnerRunner-up
    22 Jun24 JunRiga MastersArena Riga in Riga, Latvia52[24]
    5 Jul9 JulIndian OpenHICC Novotel Hotel in Hyderabad, India52[25]
    25 Jul31 JulWorld OpenYushan No.1 Middle School in Yushan, China108[26] [27]
    24 Aug28 AugPaul Hunter ClassicStadthalle in Fürth, Germany42[28] [29]
    5 Sep10 SepSix-red World ChampionshipBangkok Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand87[30]
    19 Sep25 SepShanghai MastersShanghai Grand Stage in Shanghai, China106[31] [32]
    3 Oct9 OctEuropean MastersGlobus Circus in Bucharest, Romania98[33] [34]
    10 Oct16 OctEnglish OpenEventCity in Manchester, England96[35] [36]
    23 Oct30 OctInternational ChampionshipBaihu Media Broadcasting Centre in Daqing, China101[37]
    1 Nov5 NovChina ChampionshipGuangzhou Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China107[38] [39]
    7 Nov12 NovChampion of ChampionsRicoh Arena in Coventry, England107[40]
    14 Nov20 NovNorthern Ireland OpenTitanic Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland98[41] [42]
    22 Nov4 DecUK ChampionshipBarbican Centre in York, England107[43]
    12 Dec18 DecScottish OpenCommonwealth Arena in Glasgow, Scotland94[44] [45]
    15 Jan22 JanMastersAlexandra Palace in London, England107[46]
    1 Feb5 FebGerman MastersTempodrom in Berlin, Germany96[47]
    6 Feb12 FebWorld Grand PrixPreston Guild Hall in Preston, England107[48]
    13 Feb19 FebWelsh OpenMotorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales98[49]
    23 Feb26 FebShoot OutWatford Colosseum in Watford, England10[50]
    2 Jan2 MarChampionship LeagueRicoh Arena in Coventry, England30[51]
    3 Mar5 MarGibraltar OpenTercentenary Sports Hall, Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar, Gibraltar42[52]
    6 Mar12 MarPlayers ChampionshipVenue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales108
    27 Mar2 AprChina OpenBeijing University Students' Gymnasium in Beijing, China108[53]
    15 Apr1 MayWorld ChampionshipCrucible Theatre in Sheffield, England1815[54]
    Ranking event
    Non-ranking event

    World Ladies Billiards and Snooker

    StartFinishTournamentVenueWinnerRunner-up
    25 Aug28 AugPaul Hunter Ladies ClassicBallroom in Nuremberg, Germany41[55]
    7 Oct8 OctUK Ladies ChampionshipNorthern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England51[56]
    14 Jan15 JanEden Women's MastersCueball Derby in Derby, England40[57]
    18 FebConnie Gough TrophyDunstable Snooker Club in Dunstable, England42[58]
    13 Mar19 MarWorld Women's ChampionshipLagoon Billiard Room in Toa Payoh, Singapore65[59]
    7 AprWorld Women's 6-Red ChampionshipNorthern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England43[60]
    10 AprWorld Women's 10-Red ChampionshipNorthern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England42[61]

    Other events

    StartFinishTournamentVenueWinnerRunner-up
    5 May8 MayVienna Open15 Reds Köö Wien Snooker Club in Vienna, Austria51[63] [64]
    8 Jun12 JunPink RibbonSouth West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, England43[65]
    17 Oct21 OctHaining OpenHaining Sports Center in Haining, China53[66]
    19 Dec23 DecSingapore OpenLagoon Billiard in Toa Payoh, Singapore54[67]
    27 Jan29 JanItalian OpenSala Torre in Bolzano, Italy32[68]

    Points distribution

    2016/2017 points distribution for World Snooker Tour ranking events:[69]

    width=160 Tournament/Round→width=60 R144width=60 R128width=60 R96width=60 R80width=60 R64width=60 R48width=60 R32width=60 R16width=60 QFwidth=60 SFwidth=60 Fwidth=60 W
    Riga Masters–0––525–1,0502,2504,50011,25018,75037,500
    Indian Open–0––2,000–3,0006,0009,00013,50025,00050,000
    World Open–0––4,000–6,5008,00012,50021,00040,00090,000
    Paul Hunter Classic–0––525–9001,7253,0004,5009,00018,750
    Shanghai Masters–0500[70] –2,0003,0006,0008,00012,00019,50035,00085,000
    European Masters–0––1,312–2,6254,5008,25013,12526,25056,250
    English Open–0––2,500–3,5006,00010,00020,00030,00070,000
    –0––4,000–7,00012,00017,50030,00065,000125,000
    Northern Ireland Open–0––2,500–3,5006,00010,00020,00030,00070,000
    UK Championship–0––5,000–10,00015,00022,50035,00075,000170,000
    Scottish Open–0––2,500–3,5006,00010,00020,00030,00070,000
    German Masters–0––1,500–3,0003,7507,50015,00026,25060,000
    World Grand Prix––––––5,0007,50012,50020,00040,000100,000
    Welsh Open–0––2,500–3,5006,00010,00020,00030,00070,000
    Shoot Out–0––500–1,0002,0004,0008,00016,00032,000
    Gibraltar Open–0––525–9001,7253,0004,5009,00018,750
    Players Championship–––––––10,00015,00030,00050,000125,000
    China Open–0––4,000–6,5008,00012,50021,00035,00085,000
    World Championship0––8,000–12,00016,00025,00037,50075,000160,000375,000

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. http://www.worldsnooker.com/announcements-from-barry-hearn/ Announcements From Barry Hearn
    2. Web site: Snooker Shoot Out Becomes Ranking Event. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 11 May 2016. 11 May 2016.
    3. Web site: Every Pound Counts... Snooker Race Set To Start. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 13 May 2016. 14 May 2016.
    4. http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/watch-all-four-events-of-the-new-snooker-home-nations-series-live-on-eurosport_sto5693285/story.shtml What is the Home Nations series?
    5. Web site: Provisional End-of-Season Seedings. Snooker.org. 6 May 2016.
    6. Web site: 2016/17 Roll Call. wpbsa.com. 17 May 2016. 18 May 2016.
    7. Web site: Amateur Order of Merit . worldsnooker.com . . 13 July 2014 . 6 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717123613/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3990277%2C00.html . 17 July 2014 . dead .
    8. Web site: Two Weeks Until Q School Deadline. worldsnooker.com . World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 23 March 2016. 15 May 2016.
    9. Web site: Four More Tour Cards Available At Q School. worldsnooker.com . World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 29 April 2016. 6 May 2016.
    10. Web site: World Snooker Update. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 30 April 2016. 7 May 2016.
    11. Web site: 2016/17 Tour Professional Players. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 1 June 2016. 2 June 2016.
    12. Web site: Chinese Duo to Turn Professional. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 17 May 2016. 18 May 2016.
    13. Web site: Double delight for Thailand. Boonyarit & Siripaporn are new champions. 5 July 2015.
    14. News: JAK JONES IS THE NEW EUROPEAN CHAMPION. 21 February 2016. European Billiards & Snooker Association. 21 February 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160706193736/http://www.ebsa.tv/index.php/k2/item/804-jak-jones-is-the-new-european-champion. 6 July 2016.
    15. News: Ireland's Josh Boileau takes European Under-21 title and turns professional. 14 February 2016. RTÉ Sport. 14 February 2016.
    16. http://www.wpbsa.com/blog/201516-tour-qualification-making-128-ish 2015/16 Tour Qualification: Making 128 (ish)
    17. Web site: Slessor And Craigie Win EBSA Play-Offs. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 14 April 2016. 15 April 2016.
    18. Web site: Q School Order Of Merit. snooker.org. 16 May 2016.
    19. Web site: Q School Ranking List. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 19 May 2016. 20 May 2016.
    20. http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Calendar_2016_2017.pdf Calendar 2016/2017
    21. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgKWGUuWwAAw0U0.jpg 2016 snooker calendar
    22. http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Click-Here-For-The-Calendar.pdf Calendar 2016
    23. http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Click-here-for-the-calendar.pdf Calendar
    24. Web site: Robertson Rules in Riga. World Snooker. 24 June 2016.
    25. Web site: Indian Open: Scot Anthony McGill secures first ranking title. BBC Sport. 10 July 2016.
    26. Web site: Carter Captures World Open Crown. World Snooker. 31 July 2016.
    27. Web site: Ali Carter back in world's top 16 after beating Joe Perry in World Open final. BBC Sport. 31 July 2016.
    28. Web site: Selby first in Fürth. World Snooker. 28 August 2016.
    29. Web site: Mark Selby wins snooker's Paul Hunter Classic in Germany. BBC Sport. 29 August 2016.
    30. Web site: Ding Claims Thrilling Six Red World Title. World Snooker. 11 September 2016.
    31. Web site: Shanghai Masters: Ding Junhui beats world champion Mark Selby in final. BBC Sport. 26 September 2016.
    32. Web site: Shanghai Success For Ding. World Snooker. 26 September 2016.
    33. Web site: Judd Trump beats Ronnie O'Sullivan in European Masters final. BBC Sport. 10 October 2016.
    34. Web site: Trump wins thrilling final. World Snooker. 9 October 2016.
    35. Web site: Liang Wenbo wins first ranking title by beating Judd Trump in English Open. The Guardian. 17 October 2016.
    36. Web site: Liang Claims Maiden Ranking Title. World Snooker. 17 October 2016.
    37. Web site: Selby Crushes Ding in Daqing. World Snooker. 30 October 2016.
    38. Web site: China Championship: John Higgins beats Stuart Bingham in final. BBC Sport. 6 November 2016.
    39. Web site: Higgins Is Guangzhou King. World Snooker. 6 November 2016.
    40. Web site: Champion of Champions final: John Higgins beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–7. 12 November 2016. BBC News. 13 November 2016.
    41. News: Northern Ireland Open: Mark King ends 25-year wait for ranking title. BBC Sport. 21 November 2016.
    42. Web site: King Crowned in Belfast. World Snooker. 21 November 2016.
    43. Web site: Mark Selby beats Ronnie O'Sullivan to win UK Championship final. 4 December 2016. BBC News. 5 December 2016.
    44. Web site: Scottish Open: Marco Fu fights back to stun John Higgins in final in Glasgow. 18 December 2016. BBC News. 19 December 2016.
    45. Web site: Brilliant Fu Claims Glasgow Victory. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 18 December 2016. 19 December 2016.
    46. Web site: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Joe Perry to win record seventh Masters title. 22 January 2017. BBC News. 22 January 2017.
    47. Web site: Anthony Hamilton lifts German Masters to win first ranking event. 5 February 2017. Eurosport. 6 February 2017.
    48. Web site: World Grand Prix: Barry Hawkins beats Ryan Day to win title in Preston. 12 February 2017. BBC Sport. 20 February 2017.
    49. Web site: Welsh Open 2017: Stuart Bingham beats Judd Trump 9-8 in final. 19 February 2017. BBC Sport. 20 February 2017.
    50. Web site: Anthony McGill wins one-frame Shoot Out tournament. 26 February 2017. BBC Sport. 27 February 2017.
    51. Web site: John Higgins Wins Championship League. 4 March 2017. 3 March 2017.
    52. Web site: Gibraltar Open 2017: Murphy beats Trump in final. 6 March 2017. 5 March 2017. 31 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204527/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/murphy-wins-gibraltar-title/41342. dead.
    53. Web site: China Open: Mark Selby beats Mark Williams 10–8 to ahead of World Championship. BBC Sport. 2 April 2017. 2 April 2017.
    54. Web site: Mark Selby beats John Higgins to defend his World Championship title. BBC Sport. 2 May 2017. 1 April 2017.
    55. Web site: 2016 Paul Hunter Ladies Classic - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    56. Web site: 2016 LITEtask UK Ladies Championship - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    57. Web site: 2017 Eden Women's Masters - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    58. Web site: 2017 Connie Gough Trophy - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    59. Web site: 2017 World Women's Snooker Championship - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    60. Web site: 2017 LITEtask World Women's 6-Red Championship - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    61. Web site: 2017 LITEtask World Women's 10-Red Championship - Results. snookerscores.net. 29 April 2022.
    62. Web site: Stephen Hendry beaten as Peter Lines wins World Seniors event. BBC Sport. 26 March 2017.
    63. Web site: Vienna Snooker Open 2016. 6 May 2016.
    64. Web site: Vienna Snooker Open: Internationale Snooker-Stars kommen nach Wien. 6 May 2016.
    65. Web site: South West Snooker Academy. 6 May 2016. 2 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160502200835/http://www.swsasnooker.com/. dead.
    66. https://twitter.com/ViewCue/status/789498731825598464 Matt Selt is the 2016 Haining Open Champion after beating Li Hang 5-3 in the final
    67. http://www.thecueview.com/2016-singapore-snooker-open.html Pro-Am Snooker - 2016 Singapore Snooker Open
    68. http://www.thecueview.com/2017-italian-snooker-open.html Pro-Am Snooker - 2017 Italian Snooker Open
    69. Web site: Indicative prize money rankings schedule 2016/2017 season. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 3 June 2016.
    70. Players who lose their first match receive no ranking points.

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