Does the Masters need restructuring?
Since Benson & Hedges sponsorship of the Masters ended in 2003, this event, in my opinion, just hasn't been the same. The Masters is definitely one of the top three snooker tournaments, but in recent years, it's gotten a little boring, and has fallen well behind the World Championship and UK Championship in importance.
My main problem is that the event only gives invitations to the official top 16, a qualifier, and one wild card. More often than not, the official rankings are not the best guide to form by mid-season, so why so much emphasis is placed on them for an 'elite' tournament mystifies me.
So here's how I think the Masters invitations should be handed out:
1. The defending Masters Champion
2. World Champion
3. UK Champion
4. World Number One
5. World Number Two
6. World Number Three
7. World number Four
8. World Number Five
9. Provisional World Number One
10. Provisional World Number Two
11. Provisional World Number Three
12. Provisional World Number Four
13. Highest Points earner in current season
14. Wildcard
15. Wildcard
16. Winner of qualifying tournament
Obviously, some players will hold more than one postition. The space they vacate should be given to the highest provisionally ranked player.
How about a random draw system too? Draw randomly for the first round and then Winner of game 1 v Winner game 2 etc.... I think random draw for every round would be too like the Grand Prix.
Keep the best of 11 for the opening rounds and a best of 19 final, but I'd like best of 17 semi-finals.
The Masters should be based on quality and entertainment. In many ways it's supposed to be a players and fans favourite, and a little bit less serious than the 'big two'. But with a quality system in place, it will be a very unique major, which is no more than this fine tournament deserves.
My main problem is that the event only gives invitations to the official top 16, a qualifier, and one wild card. More often than not, the official rankings are not the best guide to form by mid-season, so why so much emphasis is placed on them for an 'elite' tournament mystifies me.
So here's how I think the Masters invitations should be handed out:
1. The defending Masters Champion
2. World Champion
3. UK Champion
4. World Number One
5. World Number Two
6. World Number Three
7. World number Four
8. World Number Five
9. Provisional World Number One
10. Provisional World Number Two
11. Provisional World Number Three
12. Provisional World Number Four
13. Highest Points earner in current season
14. Wildcard
15. Wildcard
16. Winner of qualifying tournament
Obviously, some players will hold more than one postition. The space they vacate should be given to the highest provisionally ranked player.
How about a random draw system too? Draw randomly for the first round and then Winner of game 1 v Winner game 2 etc.... I think random draw for every round would be too like the Grand Prix.
Keep the best of 11 for the opening rounds and a best of 19 final, but I'd like best of 17 semi-finals.
The Masters should be based on quality and entertainment. In many ways it's supposed to be a players and fans favourite, and a little bit less serious than the 'big two'. But with a quality system in place, it will be a very unique major, which is no more than this fine tournament deserves.
-
Tubberlad - Posts: 5009
- Joined: 02 October 2009
- Location: Ireland
- Snooker Idol: Ronnie OSullivan
- Highest Break: 49