Peter Lines
DOB: December 11th, 1969
Nationality: English
Turned Pro: 1991
Highest Ranking: #42 (1999/2000)
Current Ranking: #64
Highest Break: 141 (1998 World Championship)
Career Highlights: 1999 China International Quarter Finalist, 1998 World Championship last 32, 2008 Bahrain Championship last 48, 2008 Royal London Watches Grand Prix last 64
Early Years
Now something of a veteran, Peter’s professional career started out in 1991 as he rose as high as 73rd place in his initial three year spell on the main tour. Wins were few and far between though and he found himself back in the amateur ranks, recording some good wins as he made the final of the English Amateur Championship in 1996.
Peak
Back on the main tour though he was to enter the most successful period of his career in the late 1990’s as he qualified for the final stages of the World Championship at the Crucible for the first and so far only time. A 10-3 defeat in round one however ensured that it would not be a match to remember for Peter, though he did secure his place on the tour for another year as a result.
In 1999 he went event better as he recorded his best ever ranking event result, reaching the quarter-finals of the China International with wins over John Higgins and Peter Ebdon before losing out to Brian Morgan. This helped his ranking up to a career high of 42 at the end of the 1999/2000 season as he continued develop.
This was ultimately as good as it got though as within a couple of years he had slipped down a good few places and was having to fight hard just to remain on the tour. He managed to do so successfully for a few years but having fallen as low as 95 at the end of 2004/5, relegation was inevitable.
PIOS Success and Tour Return
Peter did not give up though and a few years later in 2007/8, found some form to finish second in the PIOS, winning one event and finishing runner-up in another, comfortably qualifying for the main tour for a third time.
Overall his return to the main tour in 2008/9 was been very successful too as not only was he able to maintain his place on the main tour, but he did so by finishing inside the top 64, ensuring that he will have one less qualifying match to negotiate in 2009/10.
A key reason for this high finish was that he was able to win his opening match at each of the eight tournaments staged, a very impressive achievement which many of the top players were not even able to do. His best run of all came in the Bahrain Championship qualifiers where having received a first round bye, he defeated in-form players Jimmy White and Alan McManus to reach the last 48.
