‘I am a bit devastated’, says snooker star, 20, despite beating former world champion on way to Shoot Out final loss
LIAM GRAHAM has admitted to being “devastated” after losing the Shoot Out final to Tom Ford.
The Scot, 20, produced a miraculous run to the final in Leicester before being pipped to victory.
Graham went into the event ranked outside of the world’s top 100.
But in the one-frame format, he conjured incredible wins over Mink Nutcharut, He Guoqiang, Ali Carter, Noppon Saengkham, Martin O’Donnell and Mark Selby to reach the final.
Graham had an opportunity to win the tournament, only to be beaten by just three points by Ford.
Reflecting on his incredible run, Graham told Metro: “It’s obviously annoying, I am a bit devastated, but it’s one of those things. I’ll get over it.
“I was delighted for Tom as well. I knew he’d lost someone close to him just before, so maybe it was meant to happen that he won.
“I was happy for Tom winning, he’s a great person to win the Shoot Out.”
Ford, 41, went into the tournament having attended the funeral of his friend and sponsor Brian Todd last week.
Having admitted that he nearly didn’t play the Shoot Out, Ford said: “Winning that tournament for Brian just means so much.”
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Graham, meanwhile, enjoyed a potentially life-changing week.
He pocketed £20,000 for his runner-up effort, and has seen his ranking catapult up to No85.
Looking back on his tournament, he said: “It was good fun. I couldn’t have asked for much more.
“I didn’t fancy a run at all to be honest, I’ve never done well in the Shoot Out.
“I fancied maybe winning one or two games.
“If I got to the last day I’d have been happy, I got there and felt like I was playing really well, so I was feeling confident then.
“I love the tournament, I’ve just never done that well, but I do enjoy it.
“There should be a few more on the calendar like that, with more interaction with the crowd.”