Paul Wykes

Wykes turned professional in 1991 and achieved a career highest ranking of 56 in 1999, twice reaching the final qualifying round of the World Championship. He enjoyed victories over top names such as Paul Hunter, Joe Johnson, Neal Foulds and Willie Thorne and in 1999 reached the last 16 of the UK Championship in his home town, Bournemouth, where Stephen Hendry made a 147 on the way to beating him 9–3.[1]

In the 2000s, snooker took second place to Wykes's business interests and family, mostly due to the various financial cutbacks afflicting the game at the time. After winning just two matches during the 2006–07 season he fell to 95th place on the world rankings and decided to retire from snooker. "I thought I was off the tour last year and decided to carry on this season when I found out I was safe," he said. "Looking back, that was probably the wrong decision because I’ve just been going through the motions really".[1]

Wykes however continued to keep his WPBSA membership,[2] and thus was eligible to enter the preliminary qualifying for the World Championship. He returned to action in 2010, defeating David Taylor and Les Dodd to get through to the first qualifying round, where he lost 6–10 to James Wattana. Wykes came back in 2013, the last year when non-tour professionals could enter the World Championship, following a victory in the local Dorset Open tournament and a family discussion: "It has always been a dream of mine to play at the Crucible. I know it is a long shot but I am going to give it my best".[2] He beat Robin Hull and Lucky Vatnani but lost to Justin Astley. Wykes then entered Q School and came close to regaining his tour place in Event 2, where he went all the way to the quarter finals, only to be whitewashed by Alexander Ursenbacher.[3]

Wykes resides with his family in Tuckton, Bournemouth. He has two sons, Lewis and Samuel. He currently runs his own wealth management company.[2]