Fergal O’Brien won four matches at the weekend in Wigan to qualify for the World Seniors Championship in March.
The 42 year-old Dubliner saw off Jimmy O’Shea in the opening round before a brace of 2-0 victories over fellow Main Tour professionals Mark Davis and Joe Swail.
In the final round O’Brien was taken to a decider by former world no.5 Gary Wilkinson but came from 55 points down to snatch qualification on the final black.
The Irishman will be contesting the World Seniors for the first time after the age restriction for entry was reduced from 45 to 40.
In the last 16 in Blackpool, O’Brien will play former Crucible world champion Peter Ebdon before a potential quarter-final clash with either Jimmy White or countryman Ken Doherty.
Meanwhile, O’Brien was joined in the main draw by a pair of other professionals and a pair of amateurs.
Dominic Dale, who will be among the favourites for the title, saw off fellow Welshman Tony Chappel – the runner-up in 2012.
The man who won the title that year, Nigel Bond, will face Dale in his quest to regain the title.
The other Main Tour stalwart who advanced was Rory McLeod, who’ll be making his debut in the tournament when he faces defending champion Steve Davis.
The final two spots went to Scotland’s Paul McPhillips and Darryn Walker of England, who march on to challenge Joe Johnson and Mark Williams respectively.
The full draw can be viewed by clicking here.
The World Seniors Championship takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
