Neil Robertson salutes toughest snooker era of all time after securing Tour Championship place

Neil Robertson will defend his Tour Championship title next month in what he describes as the most competitive era in snooker history. Robertson hit four centuries and four breaks over 50 in an impeccable performance that saw him overwhelm World No 9 Barry Hawkins 10-5 in a memorable Players Championship final in Wolverhampton on Sunday.

Ad/> It was the 2010 world champion's third trophy of the season following victory at the English Open final (9-8 against John Higgins) and Masters, where he also overcame Hawkins 10-4 at the elite invitational event in London last month. Welsh OpenWelsh Open Qualifying: Robertson advances after beating Devlin21 HOURS AGO Robertson's 22nd career ranking title and £125,000 top prize ensures he will defend his Tour Championship title at Venue Cymru in Llandudno next month (March 28-April 3) with only the top eight on the sport's one-year list guaranteed a spot on the starting list.

European Masters 2022: Draw, Schedule from Milton Keynes Hendry: 'Winning machine' Robertson will be judged on world titles The European Masters, Welsh Open, Turkish Masters and Gibraltar Open (live on Eurosport) all count towards qualifying for the Tour Championship that carries a £150,000 first prize. UK and German Masters winner Zhao Xintong is top of the standings on £301,000 with Robertson moving up from sixth to second on £243,000.

Third-placed Luca Brecel (£193,000) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (£190,000) in fourth can cement their places at the Tour Championship with solid runs at the European Masters next week. /> Mark Williams (£160,000), Mark Allen (£149,500), Higgins (£129,000) and Hawkins (£109,500) hold the remaining four places with Champion of Champions holder Judd Trump (£78,000) and world and