Michael Holt is an English professional who won the 2020 Snooker Shoot Out for his sole ranking title, following a long main-tour career that began in the mid-1990s.
Michael Holt – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 7 August 1978 |
| Nationality: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1996 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 20 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 0 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Michael Holt’s Snooker Career
Michael Holt first joined the professional ranks for the 1996/97 season, before reaching the final of the European Under-19 Amateur Championship in 1997. He returned to the main tour in 1998 and went on to compile a long career as a full-time professional.
Nicknamed the Hitman, Holt was a fluent break-builder on his day, but inconsistency and a questionable temperament prevented him from reaching the upper tier of the sport. It took him six seasons to break into the top 32, and he did not qualify for the World Championship until 2005.
Deep runs in major events were relatively rare for much of his career, and Holt did not reach a ranking event semi-final until the 2013 Shanghai Masters. Even then, his overall record remained that of a dangerous opponent rather than a regular contender.
The introduction of the Players Tour Championship series created more opportunities for players outside the elite, and Holt made the most of it. He won two PTC titles in successive seasons, edging John Higgins in Prague and defeating Dominic Dale in Sheffield to claim another trophy.
Holt later came close to a first ranking title with defeats in the finals of the 2016 Riga Masters and the 2019 Snooker Shoot Out. He returned to the Shoot Out final in 2020 and this time went one better, beating Zhou Yuelong to lift his only ranking trophy.
A difficult spell followed and Holt dropped off the tour at the end of the 2021/22 season. He earned his way back through strong Q Tour performances and produced one of his best late-career runs by reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship in 2024.
Michael Holt’s Ranking Titles
Michael Holt won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Snooker Shoot Out |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Minor-ranking events – Prague Classic (2010)
- Minor-ranking events – PTC Event 10 (2011)
- Fürth German Open pro-am (2006)
- Pink Ribbon pro-am (2010)
- World Mixed Doubles Championship (2009, 2015)
Michael Holt and the Triple Crown
Michael Holt has won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career, reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Michael Holt: ★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST