Disgraced snooker star Stephen Lee banked a five-figure sum after winning a prestigious amateur tournament in the United States. The former world number five was hit with a 12-year suspension in 2014 - backdated to 2013 when his initial suspension began - after being found guilty of fixing multiple matches, including one at the World Championship.

Lee has now completed his ban, meaning he is eligible to compete in WPBSA-sanctioned events, like Q-School, which he would need to go through to get back on the main World Snooker Tour (WST). However, the 51-year-old has no intention of returning to the sport's top level. He has turned his attention to amateur competition instead, recently competing at the Embassy Snooker Open in California, where he won the $10,000 (£7,500) top prize.

"It's a long few days," he said of the tournament, which involved a group stage. "I've not competed for a while and I was worried about lots of group games and matches and I always want to play well, but the well bit didn't happen.

"I played OK in patches but it does take it out of you. I'm pleased, really pleased, my fighting spirit's still there but I must have had almost 30 or 40 frames and no century.

"It's been tough, everyone's very competitive here and I felt that. I'm over the moon to come and win a few matches, just a bit gutted not to get a century. It's nice to come and compete, brings back some nice memories."

Lee is only a year older than John Higgins and Mark Williams, who are still going strong after turning 50, while Ronnie O'Sullivan enters his sixth decade in December. But Lee has ruled out trying to resurrect his career in the pro game.

Now based in Thailand, he recently told The Hindu: "I'm still able to enjoy playing snooker at a certain level but I'm not silly enough to think I'm going back after 12 years.

"Twelve years is too long. I'm not prepared to waste any time battling it out in Q-School. And working again for WPBSA does not appeal to me one bit."

He added: "I lost my wife two years ago. She never wanted me to go back and play professional snooker. I've got zero interest in the World Snooker Tour, I'm going to do other things."

If Lee did want to return to the game, he would have to settle a £125,000 bill with the WPBSA related to court cases and unsuccessful appeals.