World Snooker Tour’s Q School: Ng On-yee misses chance of 147 break as defeat ends pro circuit hopes
- Ng loses in second Asia Oceania Q School event and will play only on women’s circuit next season
- Coach cites loss of confidence and says Ng’s old form could return now that the burden of qualifying is gone
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Ng On-yee’s hopes of bouncing straight back to the World Snooker Tour ended on Saturday with defeat in the second Asia Oceania Q School event in Thailand – and the chance of a sensational 147 break went begging along the way.
Three-time women’s world champion Ng’s two-year card on the tour ended this summer, and losses in both Q School qualifying events at BSAT Academy in Bangkok this month mean the Hongkonger will not be playing on the pro circuit for the 2023-24 season at least.
Having stormed past Ong Jia-jun of Singapore 4-0 on Wednesday before receiving a bye when her next opponent withdrew, Ng faced Amir Sarkhosh of Iran in the round of 32. She lost the first two frames 63-39 and 66-23 but was able to find her footing in the next.
Ng already held the highest break ever by a woman in the men’s World Championship – a 115 in her defeat by Michael Holt in qualifying this year. And she missed out on a possible 147 here, as she potted 13 reds, all with blacks, but missed a tricky 14th red on 104.
Sarkhosh took the next two frames 61-26 and 67-0 to end Ng’s hopes.
Alan Wong, a coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, believed the pressure took its toll, saying Ng “underperformed”.
“There was a slight improvement from the British Open, but it was still some way below her capabilities,” he said. “I believe it was mainly due to pressure, given this is a make-or-break situation for her pro status.
“Now that the outcome is settled and the burden is off her, maybe she can get back to her normal form.”
Ng will play only on the women’s circuit – where she is ranked No 3 – when the new season begins in Seattle in August. To earn another tour card, she needs to win the women’s world title or be the highest-ranked woman not already on the tour.
But she will be face stern competition, including from Bai Yulu of China, who is enjoying a rapid rise, winning the women’s British Open last month.
Mink Nutcharut of Thailand and Rebecca Kenna of England are on the tour for one more season, while Baipat Siripaporn, also of Thailand, and 12-time world champion Reanne Evans will have places for the next two.
“I still believe On-yee is one of the players with the ability and consistency to do it,” Wong said. “I think regaining her confidence is most important.
“This may involve mental training, skills improvement, data and results. She may just need to win a tournament and she’ll be fine again.”
Two of the Hong Kong men chasing tour cards were due to play each other late on Sunday. World Games champion Cheung Ka-wai and compatriot Chau Hon-man met knowing the winner would be one win away from a card on Monday.
