Michael Holt is making his way back up the world rankings (Picture: WST)
Michael Holt is loving life back in the big time after a spell away from the professional game, into the last 16 of the UK Championship and aiming to go much further.
The Hitman dropped off the World Snooker Tour in 2022, but stormed back into the pro ranks after an impressive string of performances on the amateur circuit.
It had been a steady but unspectacular return for the former world number 20, but he has moved up a gear at the UK Championship, winning four qualifying matches to make it to York and then beating world number 10 Gary Wilson 6-1 in the opening round at the Barbican.
Having spent well over two decades on tour previously, Holt has experienced all the big stages in the sport, but it was a real buzz to be back out there in front of a packed crowd.
‘It’s the first time I’ve been in that big arena for two or three years and I felt fairly calm considering,’ Holt told Metro. ‘Towards the end I missed a few chances but I didn’t feel gone, I’ve got to forgive myself, it’s tough out there against a great player. I’m chuffed.
‘It was amazing. I’ve got to treasure every moment. I’ve not been that good down the years at treasuring it. I wanted to soak it up, but ultimately I wanted to get the win, which I did.
‘From where I was a year ago, getting ready for Q Tour 5 in Brighton, to beating the world number 10 here. It just shows, just keep swinging and you never know. I’ve known the game is there, so I had to keep going, I had to keep trying.’
Holt is currently ranked 98 in the world but on the way up from there (Picture: Getty Images)
The couple of years outside of the bubble of the main tour helped give the 46-year-old some perspective and he is back, certainly trying to win, but also trying to enjoy his matches more.
The endless struggle of trying to produce your practice table form out on the big stage has always got him down, but he is learning to accept that it is an unwinnable battle for any player.
‘I want to try and enjoy the pressure more,’ he said. ‘I’ve not enjoyed the battle. Mainly because I feel like I’m battling with not being able to play as I can. I’ve still nowhere near showed it. But that battle has always been annoying and frustrating. I have to accept it’s there and I have to get over it by winning matches.
‘I’ve never thought I’m a tortured genius. I know I’m doing what most players do. I don’t think I’m on my own.’
Holt feels that it is being able to play freely, with as little thought, concern and fear as possible is what the best players do best and what he hopes to find more regularly.
‘Sometimes the top players can take the shackles off,’ he said. ‘I’m not in awe of what they’re doing, I watch them and I can do what they’re doing, but they can just set their sails up and ride that wind. That’s what you’ve got to do, that’s the key to success and the goal.’
Jak Jones beat Luca Brecel in his opener to reach the last 16 (Picture: Getty Images)
The Hitman faces a fellow qualifier in his last 16 outing on Thursday night, but it is a tough one in this year’s World Championship runner-up Jak Jones.
The pair have played twice before and shared victories, but Holt feels head-to-heads are irrelevant.
‘I think I have played him before but it’s another day,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t matter whether I won or lost. He can pot balls if I let him. I’ve just got to focus on me. If I play well I can win.
‘For all my weaknesses as a player, playing top players has never really bothered me. You’re in for a tough game but pot the balls when you get a chance and you’ll be alright.’