Why the Players Championship is huge for these seven snooker stars

Yesterday at 10:59 AM

The Players Championship begins on Monday in Telford with the usual trophy and prize money on the line, but plenty more for some of those in the field.

Just 16 players make it into the elite event, those who have done well enough this season to be in the top 16 of the one-year ranking list.

If you’re playing in Telford next week then you have at least had one extremely good run this campaign, or more likely been consistently good since the start of the season.

However, with the Tour Championship to follow, which only features the top 12 on the one-year list, and then the World Championship there is much beyond Telford to play for at the International Centre.

The top 16 in the world rankings (based on two years of prize money) head straight to the Crucible and avoid the dreaded qualifiers beforehand in Sheffield.

It is hugely preferable to dodge the nerve-shredding qualification process and save yourself the task of winning at least two matches just to get to the Crucible.

There are plenty of storylines to look out for at the Players Championship, with some losses meaning more than just being out of this tournament.

Shaun Murphy

There has been plenty of chat about Masters champion Shaun Murphy having to qualify for the Crucible and it has been a very real possibility in recent months.

It remains a possibility now, but far from a probability as he has picked up some good results recently and is currently 15th on the provisional Crucible seedings.

His top 16 slot is not yet secure, though, and a first round loss to Barry Hawkins would have him nervously checking on the results of players who could overtake him.

Jak Jones

Jak Jones has not qualified for the Players Championship, but the results there will have a big impact on the rest of his season.

Last year’s World finalist is currently 16th on the provisional Crucible seedings and as he is not at the Players or the Tour, he is vulnerable to be knocked out of that elite group by those behind him who are in those events.

Stuart Bingham, Chris Wakelin, Wu Yize and Lei Peifan

These four are all in similar situations and rather than trying to hold onto positions, they are trying to climb the rankings.

Bingham, Wakelin, Wu and Lei are all outside the top 16 in the world rankings, but could still make it there by Sheffield with good runs at the Players and Tour Championships.

Lei is a long way behind and would need some pretty wild results, but Bingham (19), Wakelin (20) and Wu (22) are all within striking distance on the provisional Crucible seedings.

Murphy would lose his Crucible place if two of this quartet can overtake him by the World Championship. Jones faces qualifying if one leapfrogs him.

Wu is currently 12th on the one-year ranking list, which would take him to the Tour Championship as things stand. Bingham, Wakelin and Lei are trying to break into that group at the Players. First round defeats in Telford and it’s next-stop World Championship qualifying.

Mark Allen

Mark Allen is in no danger of missing the Crucible, but he is not currently on his way to the Tour Championship and has admitted that his confidence is ‘on the floor’ after disappointing recent results.

The Pistol even said on social media of the players Championship ‘I honestly hope I don't qualify,’ given how he feels about his game at the moment.

The defending champion has world champion Kyren Wilson in the opening round and defeat there would mean missing the Tour Championship for only the second time since it was first held in 2019.

In fact, Allen must reach the Telford final to have a chance of heading to Manchester.

If he doesn’t manage that then it would be the Crucible with only the practice table the only place where he could drag that confidence off the floor.

The rest of the field in Telford will be scrapping it out for the £150,000 top prize and the prestige of lifting the trophy, but there are few worries among the rest of the field when it comes to rankings.

What may be more of a concern for those big names hoping to fight for the title is that no one who has won the Players Championship in its current guise has gone on to win the World Championship in the same season.

Since 2017 the winners have been a stellar cast of Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen, all lifting this trophy in the second half of the season with Sheffield on the horizon.

However, that form has never translated to Crucible glory in the same season. It might not be enough to condemn the Players Championship as cursed, but don’t get too excited about anointing a World Championship winner when the trophy is lifted in Telford.

Players Championship Prize Money

Winner: £150,000
Runner-up: £70,000
Semi-finals: £35,000
Quarter-finals: £20,000
Last 16: £15,000
High break: £10,000