<P> Following Barry Hearn 's takeover of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association , the Grand Prix was reformatted and renamed to World Open . The event gave a chance for amateurs to play alongside professionals . The amateurs had to win 3 matches to qualify for the main draw . On 9 January 2012 it was announced , that the World Open would be held in the next five years in Haikou on the Hainan Island . In November 2014 , it was announced that the tournament would not be held in the 2014 / 2015 season after the contract with the promoter was not renewed and a new venue was not found in time . The event returned in the 2016 / 2017 season . </P>
where is the snooker world open currently held
in Haikou on the Hainan Island