Championships 2011


Name: Jason Twist Seed: Five


A World Championship ever present. Indeed, if the Devon veteran returns to Blackpool in 2012 and 2013 he will have clocked up two decades of service at an event which began with humble beginnings in Manchester.


And Twist doesn't just turn up, he comes to win. It may be 2002 since he last lifted the trophy but Twist remains hard to beat as his seeding suggests.


He was runner-up in 2008 when Gareth Potts prevented himbecoming the first player to win three world titles. He's since reached the last 16 and


Name: Gareth Hibbott Seed: Six


Another experienced campaigner who has often produced his best pool at the Imperial Hotel. Indeed, it's only a short drive to the Fylde Coast from his home town of Southport.


Hibbott produced his best world showing in 2008 where he reached the penultimate hurdle.


A 9-8 quarter-final success against Lee Kendall set- up a semi showdown against Jason Twist. It proved an epic contest and Hibbott, unfortunately for him, was on the wrong end of a 10-9 score line. Beaten 9-5 by eventual champion Mick Hill in 2010.


Name: Lee Clough Seed: Seven


Blackpool taxi driver with a game capable of challenging and beating the best. Probably should have wonmoremajor titles but the Lancastrian does commendably well juggling his day job with a home life and pool commitments.


Lee's best achievement at the World Championship in 2007 and memories of his semi-final against Gareth Potts still come back to haunt him.


A place in the final beckoned as he led 6-1. But the man from the Potteries came storming back to win 10-7 and leave Lee wondering what might have


Name: Marc Farnsworth Seed: Eight


Holds unofficial title as 'world's best money player' but would love to become world's best player, full stop. And who is to say the 33-year-old from Houghton Le Spring won't achieve that in the next 10 days or so.


Farnsworth has been a late developer when it comes to the business end of tournaments. But he's usually there or thereabouts at the final reckoning.


He certainly was at the World Championships in 2009.


Country: England Nickname:


After an early exit the year before, he went through the rounds, including victory over second seed Jason Twist, until Mick Hill blocked his path to the final.


Marc, who won as many matches as eventual champion Phil Harrison that year, gave it his best shot but went down 10-7.


Collected his first major pro title in 2010 defeating Lee Clough in the UK Professional final.


Started the year with success at the Staffs Open, including a final victory over Gareth Potts.


9


Country: England Nickname: ‘The Tower’


been.


Has only been as far as the quarters since then but more than capable, on his day, of going on to bank the winners' cheque.


Defeated Derek Murphy to win event five of last season's IPA UK Tour.


Country: England Nickname:


Enjoyed his finest hour in the sport's ranks last year when he became European 8-Ball champion.


And no one can say he didn't merit his triumph, beating Gareth Potts in the final. Would love to achieve the rare double.


Country: England Nickname: ‘Tornado’


quarter-finals to stay comfortably among the top eight ranked stars.


Rolled back the years recently at the third event of the 2011 IPA UK Tour. 'Twisty' reached the semi- finals with wins over the likes of Ronan McCarthy and Craig Marsh before losing agonisingly 8-7 to Gareth Potts.


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