Tom Ford the world no.26 from Leicester won PTC3 last year and won another event today as he beat Martin Gould 4-3 in the final of PTC11 2011 at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.

PTC11 2011

Sheffield Institute of Sport - December 17-19

DRAW & RESULTS - LIVE SCORES - 11/12 PTC RESULTS

PTC11 2011 Final

Tom Ford is one of the best snooker players to come from Leicester but unlike his former practice partner Mark Selby, Tom hasn't made massive waves in the game and before this year only achieved a career high ranking of 30.

Last year though he came on to our radars by winning PTC3 at the World Snooker Academy and today he managed to win another PTC in Sheffield, this time at the Badminton Hall at the English Institute of Sport, beating Martin Gould 4-3 in the final of PTC11, the last pro event of 2011.

Power Snooker champion Gould got off to a good start by winning the opening frame on the final black but Ford overtook him by winning the next two with the help of breaks of 66 and 60. Gould won the next to go 2-2 and then he knocked in a brilliant 127 break to overtake Ford.

The man from Leciester then took the sixth frame to force the decider. Gould then got the best chance but could only make a 41-8 lead before Ford put his foot on the gas to win frame, match and title 4-3 with a perfect 66 clearance.

Unfortunately for Martin Gould he missed out on another chance to win a PTC event as he cruelly lost in the final of PTC6 last year to Dominic Dale 4-3 after the Welshman needed three snookers in the decider. But his results have been more consitant this season and he sees himself firmly in the games elite top 16 and challenging for more events.

Ford's path to the final could of been easier as he had to beat UK champion Judd Trump in 4-1 in the quarter-finals and also beat Graeme Dott 4-0 in the semis to win this title.

"No disrespect to the players I beat to win a PTC event last year, but I count this one as a much better victory because of the players I've beaten," added Ford. "To beat the likes of Trump and Dott gives me a lot of confidence to go on and do well in the big tournaments.

"Maybe last year I relaxed too much after winning the PTC, so this time I want to get my head down and keep going. I'm too far away from the top 16 to get in there this season, but I can get into the low 20s."  Quotes - World Snooker

Lets hope for Tom Ford that this will help spur him on for the coming year and that he manages to achieve his ambition of getting in to the top 16 to join Mark Selby flying the flag for Leicester. His record in televised ranking matches hasn't been that good and he often seens uneasy in the coditions but he won three matches under the lights today so maybe he is finally adjusting to them.

PTC11 is the last pro event of the year and it is obvious to see that players and even the fans/bloggers are getting tired of them now. Lets hope the rumours that there will be only eight or even six on the calendar for the 2012/2013 season and that they carry more ranking points and prize money will be true so they entise the top stars to keep playing in them.

Once again though congratulations to Tom Ford and his very deserved title of PTC11 2011 champion!

Tom Ford - PTC11 2011 Snooker Champion