Mark King may have reason to regret his decision not to quit snooker after a quick exit from the £597,200 LG Cup in Preston tonight.
The left hander spoke of his intent to hang up his cue following a first round defeat in last season's world championship. "I would rather go and do something else, get a job," stated King after going down 10-5 to Drew Henry at the Crucible.
But after discussing his future with wife Sally, King decided to carry on cueing. However, after losing 5-3 to qualifier Barry Hawkins from a position of strength at 3-0, King might now be having second thoughts.
"I meant what I said at the time," claimed the world number 22. "I'm not like other players who have tantrums and throw their teddies in the corner. But it comes down to money. Where am I going to get a job that pays like this?
"I actually worked in the summer with a few friends, erecting fences and putting in foundations.
"It didn't pay much but I enjoyed it. I also put the work in on the practice table. But this performance has just destroyed me. What's the point in putting in six to eight weeks to still go out and play like that."
King had a chance to extend the match to a deciding frame but he refused a shot on the green and then played a poor safety.
Hawkins, from Sydenham, stepped in with a 25 clearance to clinch a second round meeting with 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon.
Earlier, Scotland's John Higgins whitewashed Jimmy White's pal Alfie Burden 5-0 in only 57 minutes. The former world champion and world number one tackles Steve Davis' conqueror, Shaun Murphy, next.