Snooker news – Former Shoot Out winner Michael Holt loses tour card after 26-year stay on main circuit

Michael Holt suffered a 4-2 defeat to John Astley as his bid to retain his World Snooker Tour card failed at the final hurdle at Q School in Sheffield on Thursday. Having dropped to 65 in the world following a 6-3 loss to Tom Ford in the World Championship qualifiers in April, Holt needed to overcome Astley to earn a fresh two-year tour card in the finals of event three at Ponds Forge having turned professional in 1996. Ad/> Gateshead potter Astley – who defeated defending champion 6-2 Neil Robertson as an amateur at the UK Championship in November – made breaks of 52 and 78 in his win over Holt, who had levelled at 2-2 from 2-0 behind.

SnookerMaflin, Akani and Holt continue progress at final Q School qualifier31/05/2022 AT 12:35 2016 Riga Masters quarter-finalist Astley returns to the tour two years after losing his card, but Holt joins former world No 21 Kurt Maflin in dropping off the professional circuit. Maflin suffered a 4-1 defeat to Lukas Kleckers in round five on Thursday night. Kleckers regained his tour card with a 4-3 win over Scotland's Ross Muir.

The German player compiled 78 and 75 with Muir forcing a decider he would lose with a run of 80. James Cahill made breaks of 69, 68 and 79 in a 4-1 victory over Zhao Jianbo to regain his professional status a year after losing his card. 21-year-old Englishman Jenson Kendrick completed a 4-1 win over Haydon Pinhey to claim his place on the tour.