RORY McLeod is now one of the elder statesmen of snooker but the potter considers himself a contender to reach the World Championships this season.
The 43-year-old last appeared at the Crucible in 2011 – upsetting Ricky Walden in the first round before losing to eventual winner John Higgins.
But as proved by fellow veterans Alan McManus and Ken Doherty last month, snooker is by no means just a young man’s game.
McManus, also 43, won a battle of wills with 44-year-old Doherty to register his first appearance in a World Championship quarter-final for 14 years.
And though McLeod will have to wait until next April to emulate the pair, he has already beaten former world champion Doherty to qualify for the Australian Open.
The Wuxi Classic is also on the horizon and McLeod, who turned professional in 1991, can’t wait to see what the new season brings.
“I know it’s very possible for me to be doing the best I can and having the best result I’ve ever had at a world championships going forward now,” he said.
“I was targeting it last year but I have to work that much harder to make sure it happens this year.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season – two tournament qualifications and four wins.
“I beat Ken but the toughest match I had was Liam Walker, but every win you get you have to take your hat off to yourself really.
“It’s early days yet but you just want to do the right things at the right time and keep that momentum going. I’m trying not to look too far forward.
“I believe snooker’s about 30 per cent talent and 70 percent in your mind. If you keep in a healthy state and have all the experience behind you, all the things stay to your advantage and make sure you perform.”
Should McLeod enjoy a renaissance this season it will have been two years in the making after perfecting his technique with coach Steve Feeney.
However, he admits his journey to China then Australia later this month could throw up unknowns as he struggles to get used to the time difference.
“I’ve taken a step back to take a couple of step forwards over the last couple of years. I’m just on the verge of making that leap,” added World No.53 McLeod.
“There have been bits of my technique that I’ve tried to change up in the last two years and I’ve had a new coach in that time, Steve Feeney
“We’ve worked on a few things and I’m feeling good about it, I’m really looking forward to what this season brings.
“You have to be fit. I’m the sort of person who’s never been able to sleep at the right time by the time you’re on the plane home.
“The fitter you are it’s going to help and you need to grab sleep whenever you can, I can’t programme when I go to sleep out there.”
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