Yahoo Sports Lei soars to career high with Scottish Open triumph
Lei Peifan rocketed up the rankings and stands to bolster his £100,000 earnings after the young Chinese player secured a stunning Scottish Open victory.
The 21-year-old shot up from 84th to 43rd in the world with his win in Edinburgh on Sunday, a breakthrough moment as he beat compatriot Wu Yize 9-5.
It made him the lowest-ranked winner of a snooker ranking event since Dave Harold, then 93rd in the world, beat Darren Morgan in the final of the 1993 Asian Open in Bangkok.
Lei returned to the tour this season after previously dropping off, and made it past the likes of Shaun Murphy, Stuart Bingham and Mark Allen in Scotland.
Lei's achievement has already open the door to highly lucrative places in the World Grand Prix, which takes place in March in Hong Kong, and next season's Champion of Champions tournament.
It is little wonder Lei was fighting to stay composed as the finish line approached against fellow 21-year-old Wu, in professional snooker's first final between two players born in the 21st century.
"I kept picturing myself winning the title if I made the next shot, but I tried to stay calm and prepare myself for each shot," Lei told the WST website.
"Coming back to the professional circuit this year, my goal was just to keep my place on the tour. I've already been relegated twice before. I didn't expect this result at all and it came so fast."
Lei is already targeting more titles but a major pay day could come if he finishes top of this season's Home Nations Series money list, and that is not out of the question.
With just the Welsh Open to come, in February, Lei has £110,000 to his name, putting him just £8,600 behind leader Neil Robertson.
Lei will need to win a qualifying match to secure his place in the draw in Llandudno, with the player who finishes top of the money list set to collect a £150,000 bonus.
