Born | 17 February 1967 |
---|---|
Sport country | ![]() |
Professional | 1988–1996 |
Highest ranking | 42 |
Best ranking finish | QF (x2) |
Ian Graham (born 17 February 1967) is an English former professional snooker player. [1]
Graham is from Watford. [2] During the 1986-87 amateur season he finished in the top 8 of the WPBSA Pro-Ticket series. In the subsequent play-off he defeated professional player Clive Everton 10-1. [3]
Graham turned professional in 1988. [4] Playing as a professional, Graham has a run to the last-16 of the 1988 Canadian Masters, including a 5-2 victory over Eddie Charlton, but was denied a first ranking event quarter final being edged out 5-4 by home player, and former World Champion, Cliff Thorburn. [5] He came through matches against Graham Cripsey and Martin Smith to reach the final qualifying round for the 1989 World Snooker Championship, but was defeated 10-5 by Dean Reynolds one match from The Crucible. [6] After the start to his pro career, Graham finished the 1988-1989 season ranked 59th in the world rankings. [7]
He reached his first ranking event quarter final at the 1989 Hong Kong Open where he defeated James Wattana, Rex Williams, Tony Jones and Steve James before his run ended with a loss to New Zealand pro Dene O'Kane. [8] For the second consecutive season he reached the final round of qualifying at the Snooker World Championships, but did not make it to The Crucible as he was defeated 10-7 by Tony Drago. [9] He finished his second season as professional with his world ranking having risen to a career high of 51st following the 1989-90 season. [10]
In October 1990, he reached the last-16 of the 1990 Grand Prix with wins over experienced Welsh campaigners, Doug Mountjoy and Cliff Wilson. [11] Graham made his debut at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as he reached the last-32 at the 1991 World Snooker Championship, with a win over Dene O'Kane in the final qualifying round, before losing to the ninth seed Steve James 10-3. [12] He finished the 1990–91 season with a career high world ranking of 42. [13]
In October 1991, he reached a second ranking event quarter final at the 1991 Grand Prix where he beat Jimmy White 5-4 before losing to Alan McManus. [14] He defeated former World Champion Dennis Taylor on his way to the last-16 of the 1993 British Open. [15]