Chris Wakelin qualified for the Winners’ Group of Championship League Snooker after winning Group 2 on Friday.
The Englishman finished third following a tight round-robin phase to safely reach the knockout rounds.
In the semi-finals, the former Shoot Out champion overcame Kyren Wilson with a 3-1 scoreline.
The 31 year-old then edged Mark Selby 3-2 in the final to guarantee his involvement at the latter stages, compiling a break of 110 in the deciding frame.
“It was a tough match against Mark, but when my chance came in the decider I took it,” Chris Wakelin said.
“I’ve had time off over Christmas and you can see it in my game – my long game is nowhere near where I’d like it to be and my safety was poor.”
“Sometimes you get away with it, but you’ve still got to pot the balls.
“There was a couple of times today when I didn’t even think I was going to get out of the group stages, but a couple of big clearances got me into the semis and gave me a free run.
“Every event is a bonus. Compared to where I was 12 months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamt of qualifying for this tournament in the first place.
“It’s a prestigious event and the winner gets through to the Champion of Champions.
“Winning takes a lot, especially up against the field we had today – all in the top 16 and well-established winners. To come through, I’m delighted.”
Wakelin joins Stuart Bingham in the Championship League Winners’ Group, which will take place in March.
Bingham emerged as the winner of Group 1 on Wednesday at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.
Seven players in total will qualify for the final group where the tournament’s overall champion will be determined.
In addition to various prize money bonuses on offer throughout the event, the champion will receive an invite to the lucrative Champion of Champions.
This is the second edition of Championship League Snooker this season, with Shaun Murphy having already won the ranking event version last summer.
Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter, and Gary Wilson will all have another crack at reaching the Winners’ Group when they participate again in Group 3.
They will be joined by newcomers to the fray Neil Robertson, Barry Hawkins, and Tom Ford.
Matthew Selt and Ryan Day were both eliminated from the non-ranking event after finishing bottom of Group 2.
Featured photo credit: WST
The first two group winners are part of Kyren Wilson’s brother Taylor’s management group.
Ali Carter has now made 400 career centuries.