Ian Preece (born 23 June 1982) is a Welsh former professional snooker player, from the city of Newport.
Preece first appeared on the main tour in 2003, after a successful career as a junior; he held the record as the youngest winner of the World Amateur Championship in 1999, when he beat David Lilley 11âÂÂ8 in the final.
Until 2009 his best runs were to the last 48 of tournaments, which he has achieved in the 2007 Welsh Open, 2007 China Open, 2007 UK Championship, and 2008 Shanghai Masters. He reached the last 32 of an event for the first time at the 2009 Welsh Open with victories over Peter Lines, Andrew Higginson and Stuart Bingham but was beaten 0âÂÂ5 by Stephen Maguire. However the remainder of the 2008âÂÂ09 season was poor and saw him in danger of dropping off the main tour, however he was awarded a wildcard from World Snooker which enabled him to compete on the tour for the 2009âÂÂ10 season. However, he was unable to keep his place and so has slipped off the main tour.
After six years out of the professional game, Preece reached the last 16 at Q-School Event One in 2016, losing 2âÂÂ4 to Chen Zhe, and the same stage at Event Two, where he was defeated 4âÂÂ1 by John Astley. However, these performances were sufficient for him to finish third on the Q-School Order of Merit, and he thus earned a two-year card to compete again on the main tour.
Preece won three matches in 2016 Shanghai Masters qualifying, but was denied a trip to China by David Gilbert losing out 5âÂÂ2.