Former world No. 2 Knowles set to chase return to professional circuit

Former world No. 2 Tony Knowles has not given up hope of returning to the main professional World Snooker Tour at the age of 68.

The popular Bolton player is registered to compete at Q School in Leicester next week where he has been drawn against Jack Borwick of Scotland in the first round.

Knowles – who reached his career-high ranking after reaching the 1985 World Championship semi-finals – would need to win six matches at the city’s Mattioli Arena with the best-of-seven frame encounters running between Tuesday May 21 until Sunday May 26 at qualifying event one.

He won two ranking events – the International Open in 1982 and the Professional Players Tournament a year later – but has not competed on the main circuit since 2001.

Knowles reached the last 32 of Q School in 2021 before losing 4-2 to Mark Lloyd.

A number of other players will bid to regain their tour cards at Q School, including 1995 world semi-finalist Andy Hicks, former Crucible qualifiers James Cahill and Mark Joyce, and two-time ranking event quarter-finalist Liam Highfield.

Four tour cards will be handed out before qualifying event two begins on Monday May 27 and runs until Saturday June 1 in Leicester with the same process providing four more tour cards.

There is also two Asia and Oceania qualifying events in Bangkok (22-27 May and May 28 until June 2) which will see four more tour cards on the line.