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Caerphilly snooker prodigy Dylan Emery has qualified for the Turkish Masters, where he will face world number six John Higgins in the first round.

Emery, who is a wildcard for the remainder of the season, beat professional Alfie Burden 5-0 to qualify for the competition.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Emery, 20, said: “It’s going to be great to play Higgins of course – he’s one of the best of all time, but my focus has to be on going out there and getting the win.”

The tournament will be played between March 7 and March 13.

Before attention turns to Turkey however, Emery is focussed on the Welsh Open.

“It’s always one you look forward to as a Welshman,” Emery said. “It was a shame last year going there for the first time with no crowds.

“I grew up watching the Welsh Open so it’ll always be special to me.”

The Welsh Open will be played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport between February 28 and March 6.

It is the second consecutive year Emery, who practices at the Aber and Senghenydd Ex-Servicemen’s Club, has played in the Welsh Open. He will go up against world number 48 Elliot Slessor in the first round.

But it will be the first time competing there after winning his tour card in October last year, when he became the European Under-21 Champion in Portugal.

Before Christmas, he won the Welsh Amateur Championship.

The competition got underway in early 2020 but was postponed due to Covid. It finally concluded in December.

“After two years off I just wanted to play. When I got back to the tournament after all that time it felt like a new event. They all tend to blend into one at some point.

“I was still determined to win it though; there have been some big names on that trophy – all the Welsh boys have won it.

“I knew if I didn’t win it now then I’d never get the chance again because I’m turning pro in July. It’s something I’ve always wanted to get my name on so it felt great when I actually won.”

Emery is now ranked inside the top 128 players in the world, with the rankings determined by how much prize money a player wins.

Emery’s tour card will last two years and allow him to compete around the world against some of the biggest names in the sport.

But he is taking things one step at a time.

“At the end of the day it all comes down to dedication and how much you’re willing to work for it.

“Everyone’s dream is to win everything of course; but right now I just have to focus on getting in the top 64 and remaining on the tour.

“I’ll always be learning this game, you can never really master it.”