Field of players confirmed for 2020 World Snooker Championship following qualifying rounds
32 players will compete for the prestigious trophy (Photo by PA Images)
The field of players for the 2020 World Snooker Championship has been confirmed following the qualifying stages in Sheffield.
Thirty-two players will compete for snooker’s richest and most prestigious prize at The Crucible Theatre from July 31 to August 16.
The world’s top 16 ranked players will be joined by 16 qualifiers in the £2.4 million tournament, the 44th to be held at the sport’s spiritual home in the Steel City.
The field is headed by world number one and defending World Champion Judd Trump, who claimed the crown for the first time 12 months ago by defeating John Higgins in the final.
Trump is one of eight previous winners in this year’s field, including five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, and three-time champions Mark Selby and Mark Williams.
China’s Yan Bingtao is seeded for the first time, while Mark Allen is the number four seed and Tour Championship winner Stephen Maguire is seeded ninth.
Five players will grace the hallowed Crucible carpet for the first time, including Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher and Northern Ireland’s Jordan Brown.
World number 89 Jamie Clarke is the lowest-ranked qualifier, while Tyneside’s Elliot Slessor and Doncaster’s Ashley Carty also came through the qualifying rounds to seal a dream debut in the main event.
Anthony Hamilton is making his first World Championship appearance for 12 years, while Mark King has ended a seven-year wait for a place at The Crucible.
Liang Wembo came through a deciding frame against Fergal O’Brien to secure his progression, while 2016 semi-finalist Alan McManus returns to the line-up.
Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is making his third consecutive appearance, while Tom Ford and Martin Gould both showed impressive form in the qualifiers to clinch their returns.
Norway’s Kurt Maflin and Thailadn’s Noppon Saengkham also return to the fold, as do two-time finalist Matthew Stevens and 2015 quarter-finalist Anthony McGill.
The First Round draw will take place from 11am BST on Wednesday and will be streamed live online.
WATCH THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)
World Snooker Championship 2020 Field of Players
Top 16 Seeds
1. Judd Trump
2. Neil Robertson
3. Mark Williams
4. Mark Allen
5. John Higgins
6. Ronnie O’Sullivan
7. Mark Selby
8. Kyren Wilson
9. Stephen Maguire
10. Shaun Murphy
11. Ding Junhui
12. David Gilbert
13. Jack Lisowski
14. Stuart Bingham
15. Barry Hawkins
16. Yan Bingtao
Qualifiers
Jamie Clarke
Jordan Brown
Tom Ford
Mark King
Martin Gould
Matthew Stevens
Anthony McGill
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Alexander Ursenbacher
Elliot Slessor
Noppon Saengkham
Anthony Hamilton
Ashley Carty
Kurt Maflin
Liang Wenbo
Alan McManus