Fergal O'Brien booked his place in winners’ week at the BetVictor Championship League in Leicester after winning Group 6 at the Morningside Arena.
After drawing 2-2 with both Andrew Higginson and Michael Holt, the veteran Irish cueman needed to beat Mark Lloyd 3-0 in the last match to finish level with Holt, and he managed to do just that to progress by virtue of the group’s highest break of 100.
O’Brien told the World Snooker Tour’s official website: "I am absolutely delighted. Drawing the first two games you’re relying on other results, but I knew I had to win 3-0 in the last match.
"I was grateful for the chance, but having to win 3-0 was a lot of pressure. I’ve done my job today, I’m in the hat for the next round, and we’ll go from there."
Having claimed the first frame, O’Brien edged a tactical affair in the second to put himself within sight of the victory he needed.
After missing a red, having put together a break of 20 in the third, he was handed a second chance and made sure with a visit of 46.
Ronnie O'Sullivan topped his group in more straightforward fashion.
The six-time world champion needed only a point from his final Group 32 clash with Mark Joyce after earlier easing to a 3-1 win over Ian Burns and beating Saqib Nasir 3-0.
Joyce took the opening frame with a break of 95, but O’Sullivan levelled with a clearance of 51 in the second and won the third on the pink to secure his passage.
His opponent, who would have snatched top spot with a win, cemented second place with a point from a 2-2 draw by winning the final frame.
