By World Snooker Tour

Hayden Pinhey admits it could have been a case of now or never, after finally coming through Q School to earn his place on the World Snooker Tour, having fallen at the final hurdle in the previous four seasons.

Pinhey has endured a string of heartbreaking Q School defeats since making the final round back in 2020.

The Plymouth cueman was again one match from becoming a professional at this year’s event, facing veteran campaigner Gerard Greene in the last round. Despite leading 3-0, Pinhey was pegged back to 3-2, before finally getting over the line as a 4-2 victory.

We’ve caught up with 27-year-old Pinhey to hear about the psychological turmoil involved with bidding to earn a maiden tour card and to look forward to next season…

Hayden, many congratulations. First of all how difficult was it to play in the final round this year, knowing what had happened previously?

“It was tough. It may have helped that I played really well throughout the event. In previous years I had scrapped my way to get there. This time I was winning quite comfortably. The demons did start creeping back in when he clawed me back from 3-0 to 3-2. I fell over the line in the end, but I was so relieved.

“It was blood sweat and tears. When I lost to Jenson Kendrick two years ago, that was my darkest moment. I fell apart in that game. I think it made it more special. It was major relief. I thought I would fist pump or cry, but I was just so drained. I was flat for three days after it, while I was trying to come to terms with it.”

Was there a feeling that if you didn’t get through this time, you may never get over the line?

“If it had got to a fifth or a sixth year, I would maybe have needed help from elsewhere mentally. I needed to do it soon. It was getting harder and harder. In a way, I’ve made getting to the last round look easy, but it isn’t. Getting there is hard.

“There were times I thought that I maybe didn’t have it in me to get on tour. I wondered if it was worth putting myself through this. I’ve always had good support from my friends and family. They’ve always picked me up. A couple of years ago I got with a new club, thanks to a bloke called Vincent from Legend’s Lounge in Plymouth. He has shown me amazing support and got me a Star table. That was the final piece in the puzzle. All those people around me have rallied around and kept me going.”

How did you originally get into snooker?

“I was about eight years old when I started playing snooker. My Granddad Fred used to take me every Saturday to Rileys. He sadly passed away a few months ago, which was devastating. He would probably have been the first person I’d have phoned up after qualifying. When he started taking me, I was hooked straight away. I wouldn’t say I was one of the top juniors, but I stuck with it. I always look to improve, tinker and make myself better.”

What are your ambitions for your first two years on the professional circuit?

“Not many people stay on after their first two years on tour. I just really want to try and enjoy it, improve and be a dangerous player and tough draw for anyone. In two years time I will see where I am at and hopefully stay on the circuit. At least now I know that if I ever end up back in Q School I have done it now. That demon of the final round is gone. I am confident that I can do well and that I can do something.

“There are three goals in a snooker player’s career. Turn professional, play at the Crucible and win an event. I’ve done one of them. It would be a dream to play at the Crucible. If I can get there once in my life I will be a happy man. I’ve won games in the qualifiers before. I want to try to get to Judgement Day and give myself a shot at it.”