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Barry Hearn, 76, set to break record for oldest professional player as he lands wildcard entry to prestigious tournament
A Prem cult hero pulled out of the tournament last year
BARRY HEARN is set to become the oldest person to appear in a professional pool tournament in the UK.
The British sports promoter, 76, has been given a wildcard to play at the UK Open Pool Championship, which takes place at the Telford International Centre between May 6-11.
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Hearn, who has vowed to practise daily in the build-up, will be involved in at least two games and his goal is to win one of them.
It follows his appearance at last summer’s US Open Pool Championship at Atlantic City where he won one rack in a 9-1 opening-round loss to Polish star Konrad Juszczyszyn – and this cost son Eddie a lot of money in a family bet.
His progress and performance should feature in the new Netflix documentary – ‘Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen’ – which has been following the Hearn family as they promote darts, snooker and boxing.
Given his company run the World Nineball Tour, it was not exactly hard to secure the spot but he told the haters: “I don’t really care – I’m entering.”
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Speaking to SunSport, Hearn said: “The US Open was a dream achieved. But there was nothing planned afterwards until now.
“If I thought I was keen before that, I’m four times keener now. I have had the taste.
“I won one rack, which cost Eddie a fortune. He had to take me out for this lavish meal.
“The bet was ‘you won’t win a rack’. And he had to pay for the most expensive lunch you can ever arrange, which we did.
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“We went to a Smith & Wollensky restaurant. A private room. It will be on the Netflix documentary.
“Nineball has become an addiction with me. I thought the US Open was supposed to be a one-off and a bucket list item ticked off.
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“It has caused chaos in my household but I have cleared out a room and my own table will arrive in the next few weeks. I will play every day.
“I have a clearer understanding of how difficult the game is, how enjoyable it is and I have the desire to be better.
“Now, I want to win a game. I’m the oldest person in the tournament.
“My struggle is the same for those 76-year-olds out there that dreamed of being at Wembley and scoring the winning goal – or hitting the winning runs at Lord’s.
“I’m 27 years older than Ronnie O’Sullivan and he’s contemplating retirement from snooker. I’m just starting this journey in the sport. I have no excuses for not getting better.
“I think I have earned my wildcard. I don’t care what people think. I have paid my dues. I’m not thinking I’m a risk to the eventual winner.
“There should be no boundaries in sport. Ability is the only criteria. I am not good enough to win it but I might do better than at the US Open and that is my goal.”
talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein is the other celebrity to be involved in the 256-player field, which features the top-128 professional players.
Troy Deeney, the former Watford striker, was due to play in the 2024 UK Open but pulled out with an injury suffered during boxing training.
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Goldstein said: “My practice begins this week, and this year, my goal isn’t just to win a match.
“I’m determined to break into the world rankings and secure my status as an official professional pool player.”
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