Liam Davies has defeated Craig Steadman 5-2 to win the opening event of the 2023/24 WPBSA Q Tour UK/Europe Series at the North East Snooker Centre, North Shields.
The first of a record seven Q Tour UK/Europe events set to take place this season saw 115 players contest the title with the top ranked player at the end of the season set to earn a place on the World Snooker Tour, with at least a further 16 players to qualify for a newly expanded Global Playoff later this season.
Welsh youngster Davies began his campaign with a bye in the last 64, before dramatically winning four deciding-frame matches against Aidan Murphy, Bulcsú Révész, Duane Jones and Ryan Davies to reach his first Q Tour final.
Awaiting him was former Shoot Out semi-finalist Craig Steadman, who was playing in his first Q Tour event after dropping off the professional circuit at the end of last season. The English player defeated Mitchell Travis, Ayaan Iqbal, Simon Bedford, Iulian Boiko and Tyler Rees to reach the title match.
It was 17-year-old Davies who made the stronger start with runs of 47 and 109 to claim a 2-0 lead, before Steadman pounced upon a missed blue in the next with 98 of his own to close to 1-2.
The following two frames were split either side of the interval, but Davies needed just 19 further minutes to add the following two frames and surge to a sensational breakthrough victory.
The victory earns Davies the top prize of £3,000 and a guaranteed place in the season-ending Global Q Tour Playoff, which will see 24 players contest three places on the professional circuit. The top ranked player in the Q Tour UK/Europe rankings will automatically earn a two-year card.
The highest break of the event was compiled by Simon Bedford, who hit 136 during his last 16 defeat to Steadman.
The second event of the WPBSA Q Tour UK/Europe will take place in Sweden from 15-17 September 2023. Enter the event online via WPBSA SnookerScores.
