Louis Heathcote has set up a crucial World Championship qualifying clash with his good friend Oliver Lines and while he says it is not going to be very nice, it is still dog eat dog on the baize.
Heathcote won his opening qualifying match comfortably, beating Oliver Sykes 10-4 with two centuries along the way and waiting for him in the next round is Lines.
The vagaries of the ranking system mean Heathcote’s place on tour next season is safe as he is in the first year of his tour card, but world number 61 Lines is not guaranteed to be a professional in the next campaign.
Defeat to Heathcote might not knock him off tour, but it could leave Lines vulnerable and certainly outside the world’s top 64, relying on the one-year ranking list to stay afloat.
‘It’s really intense,’ Heathcote told WST of the atmosphere at qualifiers. ‘Lucky for me I’m in my first year at the minute, but all the guys on the cusp on the 64 and the one-year list it’s massive. The money is so big and the ranking points are so big, people are playing for their lives.
‘It’s not going to be nice playing such a good friend but we did speak and say work’s work, but after the game we’ll give each other a big hug either way. Unless he beats me and then I’ll never speak to him again!
‘No, it’s not very nice, but it’s dog eat dog in this game. When we get to that table we’ll both be wanting to win and then after that we’ll shake hands and be friends again.
On how tough it will be to put feelings aside, Heathcote said: ‘I’ll let you know after Thursday how easy it is to put it aside. I’ve never really been in this position before, playing such a good friend.
‘For Ollie, he wants to be in the 64, he’s got the one-year list for back-up [to retain his tour card], but it’s massive being in the 64 with the China seedings and now with the tiered system for Germany and the Home Nations.
‘I’ve got my career to think of. I’m just going to go out there and do my best and see what happens.’
While professional status is not on the line for Heathcote in the game on Thursday, his dream of playing at the Crucible is, with the 26-year-old just three matches away from appearing at the iconic venue for the first time.
‘It’s a dream for anyone playing here this week, especially people that haven’t had the chance to get there before,’ he said. ‘I get goosebumps every time I see players come out at the Crucible. I’d love to step out there myself.
‘Still a long way to go, I’ll take one game at a time. This week’s about putting myself in a good position for next season because that’s going to be massive.’
Heathcote and Lines meet on Thursday 11 April in the second round, with qualifying running until 17 April.
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