I’m lucky Icancash in with snooker
ANTHONY McGILL knows he’s lucky to be playing snooker – rather than having a proper job.
McGill’s father Thomas is a lorry driver who works 15-hour nights while his mother Helen is a nurse.
The world No.16 kicks off his UK Championship campaign next week after pocketing a tidy £178,300 in prize money over last season.
And he has already amassed around £113,000 this term, with half the campaign still to go.
McGill said: “My dad goes to work for 15 hours a night, five nights a week.
“I only tough it out for a few hours on the snooker table and I get stupid money.
“My parents work so much harder for so much less. So I’m privileged to be a snooker player.”
There are major sums of money up for grabs, although players further down the tour are losing cash due to travel and hotel expenses.
But McGill insists he’d play the green-baize game for free if he had to.
With £170,000 going to the winner of the 13-day event in York, McGill added: “If I wasn’t a professional I’d play in my spare time.
“There are a lot of players who are classed as pros who are losing money. But if you’re good enough you can earn a very good living.”
McGill opens his bid against England’s Ashley Hugill on Wednesday. John Higgins faces Chris Totten on Tuesday, with Graeme Dott and Alan McManus both in action on Thursday.