How much Troy Deeney can earn from playing in UK Open Pool Championship after shock wildcard entry

Watford icon Troy Deeney has announced that he will switch sports to play in the UK Open Pool Championship - but what prize money is he playing for in the event?

The former Forest Green head coach has been given a wildcard entry for the event, which is held as part of the World Nineball Tour.

It takes place from May 7-12, and could see Deeney take on a number of pool's top stars including Shane van Boening, Joshua Filler and Scotland's Jayson Shaw.

He could also face the controversial veteran Earl Strickland, although the 62-year-old American will have to qualify for the event if he chooses to enter as he is ranked outside of the world's top 128.

The competition is no stranger to seeing stars from other sports enter, with snooker trio Jack Lisowski, Gary Wilson and David Lilley all involved last year.

Speaking to Sky Sports about his participation, Deeney explained: "I've always got fond respect for any athlete in any profession. To do what they do takes hours and years of practice and dedication, so why not try my hand at it when the opportunity has come around?

"The aim is to go there and not embarrass myself to be honest, but also be humble enough and vulnerable enough to know these guys have been doing it for years.

"You can't just put a few months' worth of genuine training and a lot of years of odd playing - sometimes with a beer in hand as well - and expect to beat these guys."

But should Deeney pull off a few surprises at the event, which takes place in Telford, how much prize money could he win?

We didn't see this coming!

Troy Deeney will play at the UK Open Pool Championship as a wildcard on the World Nineball Tour next month 🎱 pic.twitter.com/qV76fZkdlS

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 16, 2024

As per the official Matchroom Pool website, If the 35-year-old wins in the last 128 stage, which is entered by any player not ranked within the top 32, Deeney would earn $500.

That amount is doubled to $1,000 should he win in the last 64 stage, and doubled again at the last 32 and then the last 16 stages.

For players who win their quarter-final, meanwhile, the prize money jumps up to $6,000, while winning the semi-final brings the total up to a cool $9,500.

The runner-up at the UK Open Pool Championship will then collect $15,000, with the overall winner of the event netting $30,000.

All that means a total prize pot of $200,000 is available for the 128 players that take part in Telford.

A total breakdown of the prize money for winning each round can be seen below:

• Last 128 - $500
• Last 64 - $1,000
• Last 32 - $2,000
• Last 16 - $4,000
• Quarter-final - $6,000
• Semi-final - $9,500
• Runner-up - $15,000
• Winner - $30,000