Heckmondwike hustler Mick Hill is ready to take on the world.

Hill, along with fellow professional Darren Appleton, has been granted his card to tour the United States this year.

The potter, originally from Dudley in the West Midlands, sees the move as a way of furthering his career and he hopes to take full advantage of the more lucrative American 8-ball game.

The former world champion said: "My main aim for this year is to be successful in America - the prize-money is fantastic."

The move comes after Hill's triumph at the UKPool.Com European Championship, which took place at Bradford's Hilton Hotel last Sunday, when he only received £3,000 for the victory.

Hill, who moved to Yorkshire four years ago to be with his girlfriend, first won the title in 1999 when he was just 19. He is now the first player to win the competition on three occasions.

However, he was made to work for the win by good friend Phil Harrison from Cambridgeshire, who, by the second seed's own admission, should have been 6-3 up at the break.

Having managed to be only 5-4 down at the interval, the Yorkshireman took the second session by storm, winning five frames in a row to clinch the match 10-6.

Hill said: "In the second half the game changed. He was only left with half-chances and I was there to mop up."

He is now tied with Keighley's Chris Melling on five televised wins.

A member of Morley International Snooker Centre, Hill only began to focus on the tournament ten days before it started.

Most of his practice time was taken up by his commitment to the challenge overseas.

But although America will now be his main priority, Hill will always keep a place in his heart for the green baize.

He said: "I will never totally turn my back on the English game."