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Welsh Open 2025: Luca Brecel chases huge £250,000 bonus in Welsh Open title bid – 'Fantastic to be in the mix again'

ByDesmond Kane

Published 14/02/2025 at 08:21 GMT

Luca Brecel is on course to produce a season-defining performance at the Welsh Open in Llandudno. The world No. 7 completed a 4-1 win over Pang Junxu in the last 16 to remain on course for the £100,000 first prize and a £150,000 bonus for topping the standings in the Home Nations Series events. Brecel faces Jackson Page in the last eight on Friday afternoon live on Eurosport and discovery+.

‘Saving his best for last’ - Brecel beats Pang with highest break of match

Video credit: TNT Sports

A rejuvenated Luca Brecel could produce a pivotal performance in an inconsistent campaign if he can claim the Welsh Open title in Llandudno on Sunday evening.

The 2023 world champion would secure a £250,000 cheque and a spot in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next month (March 4-9 at the Kai Tak Arena) by lifting the Ray Reardon Trophy at Venue Cymru.

The £100,000 first prize would also see him earn a further £150,000 bonus as the most consistent performer in the Home Nations Series events.

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He is £100,000 behind Neil Robertson, the only other contender for the six-figure prize, but will finish ahead of the English Open champion on the countback rule with victory in the most recent event in Wales.

The Australian lost 4-3 to Tom Ford in the last 32 and must hope Brecel falters in his pursuit of a fifth ranking title.

There is also the added incentive of a place at the World Grand Prix with a run to the final enough to earn the Belgian player £45,000 and guarantee a qualifying spot inside the top 32 on the sport's one-year list.

‘That is cruel’ - Brecel flukes red to stun Pang at Welsh Open

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"When I turn up at tournaments now I really want to go deep," said Brecel, who defeated Pang Junxu 4-1 in the last 16 to secure a meeting with Jackson Page in the second quarter-final on Friday afternoon.

"Before, if I wasn't in a really good place, I wanted to go home. Now I want to win the tournament or at least get to a quarter or semi-final.

"It's fantastic to be in the mix again.

"I will enjoy playing Jackson, he is very attacking and very fast and a nice guy to watch."

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Open and the final of the non-ranking Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in December, Brecel has flirted with losing his tour card by dropping out of the top 64.

He remains ranked at 47th in the provisional end-of-season world rankings.

But that could all change if he can win his first major title since his Crucible triumph that saw him defeat four-time world champion Mark Selby 18-15 in the final 21 months ago.