The Liverpudlian came through the one-day event to regain his place on the Main Tour.
Allan Taylor has secured a two-year professional card after emerging victorious from the Challenge Tour Play-Off on Monday in Sheffield.
The Englishman was one of eight amateurs who made it through to the final tournament of snooker’s second tier.
Originally scheduled for April, the Challenge Tour Play-Off had to be postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic like several other events on the calendar.
At the English Institute of Sport, Taylor fought back from 3-1 behind to deny Oliver Brown in a decider – clinching a semi-final spot with a run of 80 having earlier knocked in a superb 130 break.
After avoiding the scare, the 35 year-old never looked back and lost only one more frame for the remainder of the competition.
Taylor beat Jake Nicholson 4-1 in the penultimate round before a 4-0 whitewash of Adam Duffy in the final earned him the coveted place back on the Main Tour.
Previously, Taylor spent six successive seasons with only limited success on the pro circuit between 2013 and 2019.
Nicknamed the “Albino Assassin”, his best displays in ranking events have earned him spots in the last 32 seven times, while his career-high ranking during his prior stint was number 75.
Taylor, who acted as an emcee during the Home Nations series tournaments this term, will be hoping to have a bigger say in the game upon his return to the big-time.
While he may not be hit the jackpot like what’s on offer in these casinos, Taylor will be able to compete for lucrative prize funds totalling millions of pounds throughout a single campaign.
During what was the second Challenge Tour season, Taylor won one event and comfortably qualified for the play-offs.
“I’m over the moon,” Taylor told WST soon after his triumph. “Something clicked over the last few days, which was perfect timing for me.”
We’ll miss you! 😅
Our Home Nations MC this season @AllanTaylor147 will be swapping the mic for his cue after regaining professional status.
He earned his place back on the World Snooker Tour with a 4-0 win over Adam Duffy in the final of the Challenge Tour Play-Off. pic.twitter.com/qsnpKQ60gU
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) July 20, 2020
The automatic professional card awarded through the Challenge Tour went to Germany’s Lukas Kleckers.
The 24 year-old finished second in the Order of Merit overall following the completion of the ten tournaments.
But top ranked Ashley Hugill already bagged a Main Tour place thanks to his WSF Open glory, so the potentially lucrative ticket instead went to Kleckers.
Next season, the Challenge Tour will be rebranded as the WPBSA Q Tour, with eight events planned across Europe.
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