Michael Holt makes winning return at Championship League snooker after replacing Ronnie O'Sullivan

Michael Holt took full advantage of Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision to skip the Championship League by winning Group 1 in Leicester after replacing the seven-time world champion at the season's first ranking event. Holt failed to regain his tour card at Q School last month after losing his place on the main circuit a year ago, but showed he still has the class to mix it with the elite by defeating Alfie Burden 3-0 in their group decider to progress on frames won.

Ad It was a measure of revenge for the former Shoot Out winner, who saw his pro tour hopes ended for another year by Burden at Q School with the Londoner leaving Holt wondering what might have been by progressing to secure a new two-year card. SnookerWho are the most represented countries on the 2023/24 World Snooker Tour?A DAY AGO Burden won his opening two matches against Rod Lawler (3-0) and Scott Donaldson (3-1) at the Morningside Arena on Monday with Holt, playing under amateur status, needing a whitewash win to reach the last 32 after a win over Donaldson (3-1) and a defeat to Lawler (3-1).

Elsewhere, Noppon Saengkham potted the final black in a dramatic Group 19 decider with Mark Davis to earn a 2-2 draw that saw him progress to the second phase. World No.

27 Saengkham enjoyed earlier wins over Ross Muir (3-0) and Jenson Kendrick (3-1) with Davis defeating Kedrick 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Muir. The Hastings man needed victory over Noppon to top the section, but the outcome of the group came down to the final ball with Davis leading 2-1 but agonisingly failing to scramble over the winning line.

Masters champion Judd Trump, Jimmy White, Joe Perry and former women's world champion Reanne Evans take to the table on Tuesday. The tournament carries total prize