Australia to host ranking event

Barry Hearn’s bid to take snooker to a wider audience has taken a further step forward with confirmation that Australia is to stage a ranking tournament for the first time.

The inaugural Australian Goldfields Open will be held in Bendigo from July 18 to 24, the event forming part of the World Snooker Tour on an initial three-year deal.

World Snooker chairman Hearn said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be going to Australia for a world ranking event for the first time.

“Snooker is going global like never before as we also have new events in Thailand and Brazil within the next few months, plus many more in the pipeline.

“Australia has a fantastic tradition of producing world-class sportsmen and it was great for snooker to see Neil Robertson become the first Aussie to win the World Championship last year.

“I know the fans down under have a great passion for sport. It’s a great chance for them to see Neil as well as all of the other best players close up.”

Robertson will be one of 32 players in action at Bendigo Stadium and he is delighted at the chance to play in his homeland.

“This is a long-standing dream come true for me, as I am sure it is for many snooker players and fans in Australia,” he said.

“To have a world ranking event in my home state will be just unbelievable and I hope to get a lot of support.”