Seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty, who beat Hendry in the final of the 1997 Worlds, have been handed wildcards to compete on the World Snooker Tour (WST) for the next two seasons
Tuesday 26 April 2022 17:10, UK
Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty have been handed wildcards to compete on the World Snooker Tour (WST) for the next two seasons.
The decision was announced by WST chairman Steve Dawson during day 11 of the World Championship at the Crucible, an event for which seven-time champion Hendry did not attempt to qualify.
The 53-year-old Scot won just three times in 11 matches after coming out of retirement in September 2020 and accepting a two-year invitational tour card.
Doherty, who beat Hendry in the final of the 1997 World Championship, lost 6-4 to Rory McLeod in the second round of qualifying for this year's event.
Dawson said: "We have decided to offer Ken Doherty and Stephen Hendry invitational tour cards for the next two seasons.
"They are both great ambassadors for our sport and they have both done a huge amount to grow snooker around the world over many years.
"Both Ken and Stephen continue to generate interest from fans, television and media.
"We wish them all the best for the next two seasons. We will review this invitation at the end of the two-year period."
Dawson also announced that the format for November's UK Championship in York has changed to mirror that of the World Championship, with the top 16 players seeded into the last 32 and the other 16 to come through qualifying.
Prize money has been increased to £1.2million, with the first prize up from £200,000 to £250,000.
The final stages of the tournament will run from November 12-20 at the York Barbican, its home since 2011.
We've got every pot covered via our website skysports.com/more-sports, our app for mobile devices, and our Twitter account @skysportspool for latest news and reports.
