‘I’m going back as soon as I can’ – Snooker star Tom Ford reveals incredible pre-match meal after winning Shoot Out tie

2 weeks ago 13

SNOOKER star Tom Ford has credited a two-hour BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH for getting him into the last-32 of the Shoot Out.

A relaxed Ford enjoyed a lovely unlimited meal out with his pals before beating Paul Deaville in the last-64 on Friday night.

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Ford has since advanced to the last-16 after marginally edging out Duane Jones 29-21 across one frame this afternoon.

But the World No22 had promised to go back to the same brunch spot ahead of his clash against Welshman Jones on Saturday.

Asked by Jimmy White on Eurosport how he prepared for Friday’s game, Ford said: “My preparation has been a two-hour bottomless brunch with my friends, to be honest.

“And I’m going back there as soon as I can. I’ve got a Christmas jumper that I’m going to put on and I’m straight out!”

The 41-year-old seemed in perfectly good shape despite his revelation, knocking in a break of 55 in his win over Deaville.

The Shoot Out is perhaps the most unique, but controversial ranking event in the snooker calender.

Every match is just one frame, played with a shot clock and a 10-minute limit, with the crowd free to be as noisy as they like.

So it’s a million miles away from the traditional atmosphere of a snooker event, with many believing it shouldn’t count towards the rankings.

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Ford added: “Its one of these tournaments that you’ve just got to go out there and enjoy it what you can.

“I don’t think any of us deep down enjoy it because it’s so hectic with the nerves just kick in, you’ve just got to try and get that over and get on with it.”

The champion crowned on Saturday night will win a staggering £50,000, which counts towards the world rankings.

Two players that are currently in the midst of a public feud, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen, have both crashed out of the competition.

Murphy suggested Allen used tactical slow play in his defeat to Barry Hawkins in their semi-final at the UK Championship, saprking a backlash from the Northern Irishman.

The Magician has since called for a shot clock to introduced into all snooker events.

Ironically, both players were at the behest of the clock today, as Si Jiahui beat Allen and David Gilbert dumped out Murphy in their one round affairs.

Not every top player enters the Shoot Out, but there are some very big names still in the field.

Former world champ Neil Robertson crashed out to 19-year-old Brit Liam Pullen on Saturday.

List of all-time Snooker World Champions

BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.

The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.

The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.

Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.

Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.