Barry Hawkins was dumped out of a close Group 1 as Championship League Snooker resumed on Monday in Leicester.
With so many top names absent from the draw this time, Hawkins was actually the top-ranked contender in the Championship League field.
But the world number nine missed out on frame difference, with Haydon Pinhey snatching first position and a spot in Stage Two instead.
A tight day of play came down to just the odd frame here or there, with Pinhey, Hawkins, and Haris Tahir all finishing with four points from a possible nine.
The trio finished ahead of amateur top-up John Astley, who went undefeated but still placed last following a hat-trick of draws.
In the last game of the day, a single frame-winning break above 90 would have proved to be enough to see Hawkins through.
But Pinhey orchestrated the 3-0 victory he required to usurp both Hawkins and Tahir into the number one position based on frame difference.
The early exit for Hawkins means that there are only two top-16 members left in the draw – Zhang Anda who has already reached the last 32 and Chris Wakelin who enters the fray in Group 5 on Wednesday.
There was an upset in Group 20 as well with Zhou Yuelong crashing out of the running with a record of just one win and two defeats.
David Lilley advanced instead, beating Zhou and David Grace either side of a 2-2 tie with Ashley Hugill.
Both Haydon Pinhey and David Lilley will feature again later this week when Stage Two commences at the Mattioli Arena.
Before that, there are still a few days from Stage One to complete with two more groups on the agenda for Tuesday’s order of play.
Last year’s runner-up Jackson Page is in Group 24 alongside Jordan Brown, Liu Wenwei, and Zack Richardson, while Martin O’Donnell is in Group 31 with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Reanne Evans, and Gao Yang.
Championship League Snooker represents the opening ranking event of the fledgling 2025/26 snooker season.
The overall winner on July 23rd will take home ยฃ33,000 worth of prize money and ranking points, plus a ticket to the lucrative Champion of Champions invitational later this year.
Live coverage is available for Ireland and UK viewers on the Matchroom Multi Sport and Matchroom Pool YouTube channels.
Monday’s Results
Group 1
Barry Hawkins 2-2 John Astley
Haris Tahir 3-1 Haydon Pinhey
Haydon Pinhey 2-2 John Astley
Barry Hawkins 3-0 Haris Tahir
Haris Tahir 2-2 John Astley
Haydon Pinhey 3-0 Barry Hawkins
Table
1. Haydon Pinhey – 4 points
2. Barry Hawkins – 4 points
3. Haris Tahir – 4 points
4. John Astley – 3 points
Group 20
Ashley Hugill 3-1 Zhou Yuelong
David Lilley 3-0 David Grace
David Lilley 2-2 Ashley Hugill
Zhou Yuelong 3-1 David Grace
David Grace 2-2 Ashley Hugill
David Lilley 3-1 Zhou Yuelong
Table
1. David Lilley – 7 points
2. Ashley Hugill – 5 points
3. Zhou Yuelong – 3 points
4. David Grace – 1 point
Featured photo credit: WST
We live in New Zealand and have TNT which we were told is the New Channel to Watch Snooker,so why can’t we watch it now,what other Channel can we watch it on,we have lots to choose from.
Championship League Snooker isn’t on TNT. For NZ viewers, I believe the option to watch live for free on YouTube is available. Check the Matchroom Pool and Matchroom Multi Sport channels.
Why can’t we get the snooker on the TNT channel anymore,we are in New Zealand, which Channel do we need to watch snooker in NZ,we have lots to pick from.