A KEIGHLEY pool ace has proved his popularity after winning a fans' vote to play at the World Masters.

Chris Melling won the fans' choice to line up at the World Masters held in Gibraltar between March 29 and 31. He took 29.29 per cent of the online vote, beating second-placed Francisco Diaz Pizarro, who secured 28.24 per cent.

Melling was part of a five-player shortlist which was whittled down from an initial 20,000 players from across the globe.

He is part of a 24-strong field of the world’s best players battling it out for share of a $100,000 prize fund with the winner set to scoop $25,000.

Melling tweeted: "Yes yes yes i'm back. Thank you to each and everyone of you who voted for me im totally overwhelmed. The support I’ve received had been amazing and for me it makes it all worth while to share moments like this with you guys."

The tournament's draw will take place on Friday, February 15.

The full line-up for the 2019 World Pool Masters is: Qualified players: Niels Feijen (Netherlands) – Defending champion; Alex Kazakis (Greece) – WPA World No.1 Male on Jan 1 2019; Joshua Filler (Germany)- WPA World 9-Ball Champion; Jayson Shaw (Scotland) – US Open 9-Ball Champion; Konrad Juszczyszyn (Poland) – European 9-Ball Champion; Skyler Woodward (USA) – Mosconi Cup MVP; Ko Pin-Yi (Chinese Taipei) – Asian Champion; Han you (China)WPA World No.1 Female (Han Yu (CHN).

Invited players: Eklenti Kaci (Albania), Shane van Boening (USA), David Alcaide (Spain), Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spain), Matt Edwards (New Zealand), Naoyuki Oi (Japan), Albin Ouschan (Austria), Fedor Gorst (Russia), Jeff De Luna (Philippines), Earl Strickland (USA), Kelly Fisher (England), Wu Jiaqing (China), Justin Sajich (Australia), Petri Makkonen (Finland), Alex Pagulayan (Canada).

Fans’ Choice: Chris Melling (England).