John Lardner
Encyclopedia
John Lardner is a professional snooker
player. His best performance came in the 1999 World Snooker Championship, where he reached the last 32. He reached a peak world ranking on 67 in 2000/2001
.
.
, he reached the final of the Benson & Hedges Championship, losing 9-6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
.
In 1999
, at the age of 26, Lardner reached the first round of the World Snooker Championship
by defeating Neal Foulds
, Quinten Hann
and Martin Clark in the qualifying rounds. In his first round match against world number 9 Stephen Lee
, Lardner trailed 9-3 before recovering to lose only 10-7. Despite the defeat, he described the Crucible Theatre
as "the best place I've ever played snooker".
The following season, Lardner climed to position 72 in the world rankings, and reached the first round of the UK Championship
, losing to David Gray. However, he was defeated in the qualifying rounds of the World Championship to Icelandic player Kristjan Helgason. His world ranking climbed to 67 for the 2000/2001 season.
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player. His best performance came in the 1999 World Snooker Championship, where he reached the last 32. He reached a peak world ranking on 67 in 2000/2001
Snooker season 2000/2001
The snooker season 2000/2001 was a series of snooker tournaments played during the years 2000 and 2001. The following table outlines the results for ranking events and the invitational events.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
.
Early life
Lardner was born in Glasgow in 1973. He left school early to spend time practising snooker, confident that he could be come a professional player. In 1988 Lardner won the Star of the Future award at a competition in PrestatynPrestatyn
Prestatyn is a seaside resort, town and community in Denbighshire, North Wales. It is located on the Irish Sea coast, to the east of Rhyl. At the 2001 Census, Prestatyn had a population of 18,496.-Prehistory:...
.
Professional career
Lardner turned professional in 1991. In the 1993/1994 seasonSnooker season 1993/1994
The snooker season 1993/1994 was a series of snooker tournaments played during the years 1993 and 1994. The following table outlines the results for ranking events and the invitational events.-Calendar:...
, he reached the final of the Benson & Hedges Championship, losing 9-6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
.
In 1999
Snooker season 1998/1999
The snooker season 1998/1999 was a series of snooker tournaments played during the years 1998 and 1999. The following table outlines the results for ranking events and the invitational events.-Calendar:...
, at the age of 26, Lardner reached the first round of the World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
by defeating Neal Foulds
Neal Foulds
Neal Foulds is a former English professional snooker player and is now a commentator on the sport.-Career:Foulds quickly climbed the rankings after turning professional in 1983, reaching no. 3 within four years. He won his first ranking tournament in 1986, the BCE International, beating Cliff...
, Quinten Hann
Quinten Hann
Quinten Hann is an Australian former professional snooker player who now plays professional pool. He was the 1999 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion and 1994 world under 21 champion. His highest break is 143...
and Martin Clark in the qualifying rounds. In his first round match against world number 9 Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee is a professional snooker-player from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, whose smooth cue action is regarded by some pundits as the most natural in the game. He has won four ranking titles, and spent 10 seasons in the Top 16 of the world rankings before dropping out for the snooker...
, Lardner trailed 9-3 before recovering to lose only 10-7. Despite the defeat, he described the Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
as "the best place I've ever played snooker".
The following season, Lardner climed to position 72 in the world rankings, and reached the first round of the UK Championship
UK Championship (snooker)
The UK Championship is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It is the second biggest ranking tournament after the World Championship and is one of the Triple Crown events.-History:...
, losing to David Gray. However, he was defeated in the qualifying rounds of the World Championship to Icelandic player Kristjan Helgason. His world ranking climbed to 67 for the 2000/2001 season.