REIGNING UK snooker champion Neil Robertson was knocked out of this year’s tournament in the first round by veteran amateur Peter Lines who cruelly had his professional status ripped away after 25 years in the summer.
The unknown 46-year-old stunned the crowd at the York Barbican centre by beating the popular Australian 6-3. And Lines – who has an impressive list of shock scalps on his CV – could now face his own flesh and blood with his son Oliver also pocketing £5,000 by making it into the last 64 in the potting comp.
Lines said: “I’ve beaten a lot of the top players – John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan – but this is probably the most pleasing result I’ve ever had.
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"It was a daunting task to play the defending champion. I wanted to go out and relax and at least give a good account of myself.
In my heart of hearts I wasn't really expecting to win, but I did play quite well tonight.
"I'm pleased with how I held myself together because Neil's obviously a fantastic player.
“Hopefully I can win a few more matches.”
Former World No1, Robertson, who has pocketed over £3million in winnings and made three competitive 147 breaks, had a stinker to go 3-1 down early on.
And even when he battled back to make the score more respectable he admitted he was battered by the Leeds man ranked 73rd in the world.
The outclassed Ozzie said: “I got old-schooled today.
“His safety was absolutely incredible, probably some of the best safety I've come across for quite some time in terms of him denying you an opening.
“He didn't make a whole lot of big breaks but he didn't have to."
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