Please note that this is NOT an official website. At this point in time Ronnie O’ Sullivan does not have an official website, nor does he wish to have one.
Only 32 players remain on course to qualify for the 2026 “Crucible” … They still have a match to win to achieve that though. Who are they and who do they face in that last qualifying match? You will find the answers on snooker.org … as always …
Fourteen of those players neither British nor Irish. That’s nearly half of that remaining field. Nine of those players are Chinese. Mainland Europe is represented by three players, two of them Belgians… which is quite remarkable given that Belgium is a such a small country. The third one is Polish.
Gao Yang is the “lowest ranked” qualifier still in the qualifiers draw. He started as “number 97” and beat Jimmy White, Mark Davis and Tom Ford to get this far. He now faces Hossein Vafaei.
Unless I’m mistaken, Stan Moody, 19, is the youngest player and the only teenager still in the qualifiers draw.
The very important 2026 World Championship qualifiers continued over the week-end, but my attention was partly elsewhere … in Goffs where four greats of the game – Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, John Higgins and Ronnie – honoured the memory of John Virgo who passed away recently, aged 79. The iconic venue was packed and John Virgo’s children, Brook and Gary were present, watching.
Ronnie won the event, beating Stephen Hendry by 6-1 in the semi-finals on Saturday and John Higgins by 6-0 in the Final yesterday. Brook and Gary presented him the trophy. You will find links to Ronnie’s matches in comments … thanks to Kalacs… as always 👍
Stephen Hendry salutes Ronnie O’Sullivan after old rivals meet at World Snooker Championship warm-up event – ‘Ronnie is obviously the GOAT’
By Desmond Kane Published 12/04/2026
Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins will face each other in the final of the John Virgo Trophy on Sunday as the ‘Class of ’92’ rivals warmed up for the 50th World Championship by entertaining a sell-out crowd at Goffs in Ireland. Higgins edged Mark Williams 6-4 in the first semi-final with O’Sullivan easing to a 6-1 win over Stephen Hendry at the exhibition event.
Stephen Hendry paid tribute to Ronnie O’Sullivan after the two seven-time world champions took a trip down memory lane before a sell-out crowd at Goffs in Ireland.
Competing for the John Virgo Trophy in memory of the celebrated former UK champion and commentator, O’Sullivan ran out a 6-1 winner in securing a final meeting with fellow ‘Class of ’92’ icon John Higgins on Sunday evening at the exhibition event.
Higgins had earlier defeated Mark Williams 6-4 in the opening semi-final as snooker returned to a venue made famous by staging the game’s biggest names at the Irish Masters between 1978 and 2000.
Despite producing 61 in the second frame, Hendry looked a bit rusty under the testing shot clock format as his opponent won the final five frames in coasting to victory.
O’Sullivan said it was a “privilege” to share the table with Hendry, who remains the youngest world champion in Crucible history after an 18-12 win over Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White in 1990 when aged 21.
“Stephen for me is the greatest player I’ve ever seen, ever played,” said O’Sullivan on Channel 5.
“He doesn’t play much these days, so for him to get his cue out of his case is a privilege. His middle pocket potting is still unbelievable.
“It took me back years ago. There was no weakness. His middle pocket potting is still unbelievable.
“To be on the same table as him is a privilege.“
O’Sullivan, world champion in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022, needs one more title victory to overtake Hendry as the most prolific world champion of the modern era.
“You can’t get higher praise from a better player. Ronnie is obviously the GOAT,” said Hendry.
“In terms of break-building and cue ball control, he’s taken the game to a level that I thought we might never see.
“He’s an artist with the cue ball. That’s the beauty of snooker in controlling the cue ball and nobody has done it better than Ronnie.
“For me, it is fabulous to be involved in this event with these three great players.“
O’Sullivan’s friendly joust with Higgins could be a dress rehearsal for the Crucible with both men seeded to meet in the second round of the World Championship.
For all four men, boasting 21 world titles between them, it was a welcome return to Goffs in County Kildare.
“I have not been back here since the Irish Masters,” said world No. 6 William.
“It is a fantastic arena and I wish we could get a proper tournament back here.“
Hendry claimed the Irish Masters three times between 1992 and 1999, while two-time winner Higgins made the tournament’s only maximum against Jimmy White in a 6-4 quarter-final win in 2000.
He would defeat Hendry 9-4 in the title match in the last staging of the non-ranking event at Goffs.
O’Sullivan also ran out a 9-3 winner in the 1998 final at Goffs against Ken Doherty, but was stripped of the title after testing positive for cannabis.
The snooker GOAT would lift the title four times, twice as a ranking tournament, when it moved from Goffs to Dublin in 2001, including a 9-8 final win over Hendry 25 years ago.
“I’ve always said this is the greatest country on earth,” said O’Sullivan. “The people are amazing, the best people.
I thought that Stephen Hendry played quite well actually, by far the best I have seen him play in years.
Zhao Xintong won the 2026 Tour Championship in Manchester, having previously won the other two events of the “Players Series. He beat Judd Trump convincingly in the final.
Zhao Xintong boldened his status as the best player in the world on current form as he thrashed Judd Trump 10-3 in the final of the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, becoming the first man to win all three events in the Players Series in the same season.
China’s Zhao was imperious all week in Manchester, conceding just eight frames on his way to the title as he showcased his tremendous long potting and seemingly effortless break-building. He beat Chris Wakelin 10-4 before dismantling John Higgins 10-1 – the heaviest defeat of Higgins’ career – then comfortably saw off an out-of-sorts Trump. A fierce battle was expected today between the World Champion and world number one, but it turned out to be a one-sided affair as Zhao pulled away from 5-3 to win the last five frames in the evening session.
Trump admitted: “Over the last two months Zhao has been the best player in the world. I always enjoy the challenge, it’s up to me to go away and try to improve.”
After a relatively quiet first half to this season, highlighted only by winning the invitational Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in November, in recent weeks 29-year-old Zhao has recaptured the form which made him the first Asian to conquer the Crucible last Spring. In February he won both the World Grand Prix and Players Championship, and he has now completed an unprecedented hat-trick of Players Series titles.
The top prize of £150,000 takes Zhao’s prize money for this season past the £1 million mark, and he climbs to a career high of fourth in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings. He could even take over as world number one in Sheffield, albeit only if he lands the £500,000 jackpot and Trump goes out in the first round.
Zhao has now won his first six ranking finals – previously only achieved by Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson – and on the all-time list he is now level with Ken Doherty, Stuart Bingham and Ali Carter. The left-hander becomes the 12th player to win three ranking titles in a single season, and surely now heads to the Crucible as the clear favourite.
Trump misses out on a 32nd ranking title, which would have brought him within one of Higgins in fourth place on the all-time list, and has now lost 22 ranking finals. He has landed the German Masters crown this season, but the 36-year-old has finished second best at the Northern Ireland Open, Champion of Champions, UK Championship and now this event in Manchester, where he had never previously reached the final.
Zhao is an amazing player and I love to watch him at the table.
In less than two weeks, he will enter the Crucible arena as the defending Champion to start his defence of the title. No first time World Snooker Champion has ever defended at the Crucible but I certainly don’t write Zhao off … he could well be the one who breaks “The Curse”.
The qualifiers for the 2026 World Championship start today and those who will be action in the first round need to win four matches to get at the Crucible … a formidable task. Good luck to all players involved.
The draw for the qualifying rounds of the 2026 Halo World Championship has been made, with all players seeded outside the top 16 ready to battle for coveted places at the Crucible.
The qualifying event for snooker’s biggest tournament runs from Monday April 6th to Wednesday 15th at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Tickets to watch are on sale now for just £12 per day – fantastic value for the chance to see an array of former champions, all-time greats and up-and-coming talents.
Fans with an annual WST PLAY subscription can attend the event for free, with one free ticket per day for each member and a unique link will be sent to subscribers. Blue Light card holders will also be able to attend for just £5, with tickets purchased on the Blue Light website.
The qualifying event starts with 128 players, seeded as follows:
Round one pits players ranked 81 to 112 against those seeded 113 to 144
In round two, those 32 winners will face players ranked 49 to 80.
In round three, those 32 winners will face players ranked 17 to 48.
In round four, those 32 winners play each other, with the 16 winners going through to the Crucible.
Notable matches in the opening round include:
Tour rookie Michal Szubarczyk v three-time World Women’s Champion On Yee Ng Six-time Crucible finalist Jimmy White v China’s Gao Yang Reigning World Women’s Champion Bai Yulu v Daniel Womersley 1997 Crucible king Ken Doherty v Patrick Whelan Rising star Liam Pullen v Shoot Out champion Alfie Burden Hong Kong’s finest Marco Fu v Mink Nutcharut
Star names entering the fray as the qualifiers progress will include Jack Lisowski, Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter, Luca Brecel, Stephen Maguire, Gary Wilson, Jak Jones and many more.
With Thepchaiya Un-Nooh playing in this week’s Sportsbet.io Tour Championship and still able to climb from his current provisional seeding of 21 into the world’s top 16, seed numbers from 17 to 21 have been placed in the draw, and those players will be confirmed in those slots once the final seeding list is known.
The final round, on April 14th and 15th, is known as Judgement Day, when places at the Crucible are at stake. As always our Judgement Day show will be live and free for fans to watch on (WST PLAY and YouTube), with full details to be announced soon.
The final stages of the Halo World Championship then run from April 18th to May 4th.
I’ll have a closer look at that after completion of the 2026 Tour Championship
Judd Trump won a match in the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship for the first time since 2020 as he came from 4-0 down to beat Mark Allen 10-8 in the opening round in Manchester.
This event has brought little joy for world number one Trump as he won just one match in the tournament’s inaugural year in 2020 and then suffered a series of first round exits. But he has now ended that streak and set up a quarter-final with Shaun Murphy at Manchester Central on Wednesday.
After a slow start today, Trump impressed with three centuries and five more breaks over 60 as he won ten of the last 14 frames. While the 36-year-old has lifted only one trophy this season, at the German Masters in February, he has been in three other finals and four more semi-finals.
“The first four frames were scrappy, after that we both played some really good stuff, it was an enjoyable game,” said 31-time ranking event winner Trump. “At 4-0 I was just waiting for good opportunities, then I made one break and settled down. At 4-4 I was delighted and tonight was a great standard. I have been consistent for the last five or six months, I have had a lot of semis and finals, I am happy with my form.”
Tied 4-4 after the first session, Allen took the opening frame tonight with a break of 121, before Trump hit back for 5-5 then nicked the 11th on a respotted black to lead for the first time in the match. The high scoring continued as Allen made another 121 for 6-6 before Trump regained the advantage with a 114.
Allen led 42-0 in frame 14 when he overcut a tricky red to a top corner, and Trump punished him with an excellent 86 clearance for 8-6. Allen pulled one back, then in the 16th Trump led 41-0 when he converted an excellent long red to a top corner and added 67 to move to the edge of victory at 9-7. The Englishman had a match winning chance in the 17th, missing a mid-range red at 35-0 and Allen kept his own hopes alive with a 79 clearance. But Trump made no mistake in the next frame, wrapping up the result with a run of 100.
Trump was also asked about last week’s announcement that the World Championship will stay at the Crucible in Sheffield for the long term. He said: “It’s great news, it puts all the uncertainty to bed. For snooker it’s probably the best thing that could have happened. The fact that in a few years time they will improve the venue is even better. It’s an exciting time for snooker, the World Championship is always special and it’s good to keep it in the UK. Any arena (in the round) where you are surrounded and immersed – it brings even more pressure. We’re happy to play there for the next two years but everyone will be keeping one eye on what is going to happen after, and hopefully I’ll have the chance to play in that new arena.”
On the other table, China’s Wu Yize established a 6-2 advantage over Chris Wakelin in a match which concludes on Tuesday evening.
Wu, age 22, is enjoying his breakthrough season having won his maiden ranking title at the International Championship and climbed into the world’s top 16 for the first time.
And he showed his quality again tonight as breaks of 73, 74, 84, 75 and 81 edged him closer to a possible quarter-final with Zhao Xintong.
Barry Hawkins, who knocked Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump out of the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship last year, scored another impressive victory in Manchester as he came from 8-7 down to beat Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-8 to reach the quarter-finals.
Un-Nooh enjoyed the best moment of his career just nine days ago when he beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the World Open, making a 147 to boot. That earned him a place in this week’s elite 12-man tournament but the Thai couldn’t keep his winning streak going, despite coming from 5-3 down in the second session to lead 8-7. The result also ends Un-Nooh’s hopes of being a top 16 seed for the Crucible, and Ding Junhui hangs on to that status.
Welsh Open champion Hawkins came good at the business end, setting up a clash with Neil Robertson which starts on Wednesday afternoon. The Londoner was a semi-finalist last year and also reached the last four in 2021.
Trailing 5-3 overnight, Un-Nooh won the opening frame today on the colours before Hawkins made a break of 101 for 6-4. World number 11 Hawkins looked favourite in frame 11 when he laid a tough snooker on the yellow, trailing 50-48, but Un-Nooh enjoyed an outrageous fluke on the yellow, flicking it into a baulk corner, and cleared to halve his deficit. Un-Nooh then dominated the next two with top runs of 48 and 62 to lead 7-6. And he had a chance to extend his advantage but under-cut a fiddly short range red to a centre pocket on 50 and his opponent punished him with a 72 clearance.
Un-Nooh’s run of 66 helped him regain the lead and he was on 48 in frame 16 when he missed a straight-forward red to a top corner, and again Hawkins took advantage with 68 for 8-8. The 17th came down to the last two reds and a fine long pot from Hawkins to a baulk corner edged him in front. He took control of the next with a break of 63 and eventually sealed the result on the colours.
“I don’t know how to sum up that game, one minute Thepchaiya looked like he was going to start playing well and had the balls at his mercy, then all of a sudden I was back at the table,” said Hawkins. “If he goes on one he is near enough unstoppable, but then he misses balls you don’t expect him to miss, which can be off-putting.
“I nicked quite a few frames. I didn’t feel I played great, I was just battling away. It was getting twitchy at the end so it’s a great win. I have had good runs in this event, especially as it’s such a tough event just to win matches in, given the players who qualify. Against Neil I will have to make sure I don’t miss those easy balls, because he will punish me.“
Hawkins was suffering from a back injury last month which forced him to pull out of the World Open, but added: “It feels ok now, it’s just a bit tight in the mornings but it doesn’t affect me playing at all.”
On the other table, defending champion John Higgins came from 2-0 down to take a 6-2 lead over Mark Williams, in a match which concludes from 7pm tonight.
Williams, who won this event in 2024, started strongly with runs of 59 and 121 to take the first two frames. But fellow ‘Class of 92’ member Higgins won the next six in a row with top breaks of 64 and 73.
Day 2 – Evening
Higgins Elated After ‘Special’ Win Over Williams
More than three decades after their first professional meeting, defending champion John Higgins scored a thrilling 10-8 victory over fellow legend Mark Williams to reach the quarter-finals of the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship.
These two warriors of the baize first went head-to-head on tour back in 1994 and are now into their 50s, but both remain fiercely competitive at the highest level, ranked inside the world’s top six. In recent times, Williams has got the better of their high profile matches, notably in the Crucible final in 2018 and the quarter-finals in Sheffield last year. But this time Higgins came out on top in a tense finish, scoring a first win against his ‘Class of 92’ rival in a multi-session match since the 2011 World Championship.
Higgins sets up a battle with Mark Selby on Thursday in Manchester, a repeat of last year’s final which he won 10-8 before describing it as his “greatest ever win.” While he hasn’t added to his trophy haul since that day, the 50-year-old Scot has enjoyed a high level of consistency this season, reaching three finals, two more semis and now five more quarter-finals.
Leading 6-2 after the first session, Higgins took the opening frame tonight with a break of 84. He had chances in the next but missed a tough pot on the final green to a baulk corner when 44-30 ahead, and Williams cleared to close the gap. That proved a turning point as Williams fired breaks of 74 and 82 in the next two frames and also dominated the next to close to 7-6.
Higgins hit back with a 110, then Williams responded with 107 and 76 for 8-8. But four-time World Champion Higgins got the better of a fragmented 17th frame with a top break of 48, then in the next he led 14-1 when he knocked in a sizzling long red, setting up a superb match-winning 52.
“I am delighted to do to Mark what he has done to me in the last few years, making a frame winning break at the end was very pleasing,” said Higgins. “It’s still extra special to play Mark, I always think back to when we first played at the Mita Masters when we were 15, and fast forward 35 years and we are still doing it in the big arenas. We deserve pats on the back I think. It would have been a tough loss having been 7-2 in front, I always knew Mark was going to come back at me. It’s a great win and I have a day off now then I can get ready for Mark Selby.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wakelin made an extraordinary come back from 6-2 down against Wu Yize, winning eight frames in a row for a 10-6 victory, earning a tie with World Champion Zhao Xintong. Scottish Open champion Wakelin is playing in this event for the first time and made it a memorable debut, scoring one of his best ever fight backs as China’s Wu crumbled under pressure. Breaks of 84, 62 and 108 helped Wakelin to run away with the tie tonight.
He said: “The way Wu played in the first session, I went to bed last night thinking I can’t compete with that. I knew I had to come out tonight and find my own form and get something going. He missed a couple of balls in the first frame and I thought I could apply some pressure. Once I got back to 6-4 it was game on. I just believe in myself now, it’s a simple as that.”
Wu Yize had a really bad evening in office yesterday. Credits to Chris Wakelin though for the way he reacted to a difficult first session, and for being able to concentrate on his own job when his young opponent, rather unexpectedly, started to struggle badly. Wu looked lost and embarrassed, sitting in his chair but it happens to all of them, even the very best.
And then of course, WST reported on Trump’s delight about the World Championship staying at the Crucible. So far thought I can’t remember seeing quotes by a non British player about this topic. It would be interesting to hear from them as well …
Midnite Brings Neon Green Cue Ball To The Crucible
World Snooker Tour has confirmed the iconic white ball will be replaced by a neon green colour at the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship.
The new neon green ball will be paying homage to Midnite, the official UK betting and casino partner for the tournament.
The iconic white ball has been involved in every snooker tournament since its inception, but will change to neon green, Midnite’s flagship colour, for the full 17 days at the Crucible.
World No.2 Kyren Wilson, who won the 2026 Masters, has backed the move, saying:
“I honestly think it’s a fantastic step forward for snooker. The idea of the white ball turning Midnite neon green might sound bold at first, but that’s exactly what our sport needs right now – something that grabs attention and gets people talking.
“We’ve got such a proud history, especially at the World Snooker Championship, but evolution is key if we want to keep growing and bringing in a new generation of fans.
“From a player’s perspective, it’ll be really interesting as well. The visuals are such a big part of how we read the game, so having that bright green cue ball under the lights at the Crucible could actually enhance our game.
“You’ve got to be open-minded about these changes. If it helps showcase the sport in a new way and makes people stop and watch, then that’s a win for everyone. Personally, I’m really excited by it. I think it could give the whole championship a fresh energy and create something quite iconic in its own right.”
Jason Ferguson, Chairman of snooker’s global governing body WPBSA, added:
“Tradition and heritage are so important in our sport but we are also excited by innovation. Fans and players will love this new cue ball which is exclusive to the World Championship.
“This is one of the biggest changes to the equipment in the 150-year history of our sport and it will be fascinating to see this in action at the Crucible.“
Peter Wright, WST’s Chief Commercial Officer said:
“Players are going to have to adapt fast to the new neon cue ball, especially under the intense pressure that the Crucible always brings. This could really change the dynamic of the game and enhance the viewing experience for fans. We know it’s a bold move but we are a sport which thrives on rising to the challenge.”
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, commented:
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of such an iconic moment for snooker. Seeing the traditional white ball reimagined in Midnite neon green at the World Snooker Championship is an exciting way to celebrate our partnership with WST.
“This is about bringing a fresh energy to a historic tournament while respecting everything that makes it so special. The Crucible has produced some of the most memorable moments in sport, and to have our brand reflected in such a visible and creative way during those 17 days will be truly special for us.
“We’re passionate about engaging fans in new and innovative ways, and this initiative does exactly that. We can’t wait to see the Midnite neon green ball in play on snooker’s biggest stage.”
If it isn’t an April fool … the snooker gods will turn even greener than the said ball … 🙄
