The World Snooker Tour is reaching the business end of proceedings when it comes to who has been able lock up an automatic spot for the 2025 World Championships.
With the calculations and seedings based on a two year calendar, the world rankings alone can’t be used as a gauge to determine who might be in and who might be out and is usually the case there are several big names who currently stand on the periphery and will need to come through the nerve racking experience of qualifying.
The World Championship in snooker stands alone. Played amidst the intimate setting of the Crucible, the World Championship is where the big money can be won and legacies defined and there won’t be anyone who wants to miss out.
There are just four tournaments that remain before the cut off and the seedings are finalised. With plenty on the line let’s take a look at which players will be hoping to play their best snooker over the next few weeks.
Shaun Murphy
Without doubt the biggest name who is in danger of missing out on a place in the top 16 is Shaun Murphy. A former winner of this event back in 2005, Murphy will actually have fond memories of qualifying as he had to come through the qualifying gauntlet before then going onto create history by becoming the first man to emerge through qualifying to win snooker’s premier prize.
Ranked eighth in the world you would have thought that Murphy would have already done enough to lockup his berth at the Crucible but sadly for Murphy his win at the 2025 Masters does not count towards earning a place at the Crucible.
Despite winning one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport, Murphy has had a slow start to 2025, losing in the third round at the German Masters and then falling at the first hurdle at the Welsh Open.
With his confidence still high thanks to his efforts at Alexandra Palace earlier in the year, Murphy himself isn’t too concerned about the prospect of missing out.
‘I’m not panicking about it. I think I’ll win enough matches between now and then to be in the 16, my game’s in good shape, but it’s not a certainty. It’s not going to just happen and fix itself. I am going to have to win some matches to make it happen.
‘I’m keeping an eye on it, I’m watching how players are doing ahead of me who I’ve got to catch. Ultimately I’ve just got to pot the balls and let those things take care of themselves.’
He will hope to take those first steps towards securing his top 16 place at this week’s World Open. He currently sits 20th in the race to secure automatic qualification and can ill-afford any further slip ups.
Chris Wakelin
Currently sitting just outside the automatic qualifying spots in 17th place is Chris Wakelin, but his chances of automatically reaching the Crucible remain very much alive as he will start the World Open just under £4,000 behind current 16th place occupant Neil Robertson.
Although not a household name by any means, Wakelin has worked hard to establish himself as a force in the game and was able to work his way into a position where he qualified for the Masters.
Wakelin would have wanted to get off to a fast start in 2025 to put the pressure on those above him, but so far that hasn’t happened.
First round exits at the Masters and German Masters were coupled with a second round exit at the Welsh Open. Wakelin will be more than confident of securing his automatic spot and will hope to overhaul some of those above him when he takes to the tables in China this week.
Ali Carter
Another big name that is currently looking in from the outside is Ali Carter.
Carter has some mixed memories of the Crucible having twice been a runner up in 2008 and 2012, on both occasions the Englishman would end up losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Carter has had his battles both on and off the table and the one thing you can be assured of is that he will give it his all as he bids to automatically qualify for yet another World Championship.
Starting the year needing to make up significant ground, Carter would have been eyeing up a seventh ranking title of his career at last week’s Welsh Open, but he would have to settle for a semi final place.
One of the most experienced players when it comes to match play and winning tough matches, Carter is in good form and will hope to build on the momentum he gathered in Wales at the World Open.
Stuart Bingham
Another former World Champion who looks like he may have to work his way into the World Championship main draw is Stuart Bingham.
Bingham has always been a superbly talented player and is one of just a few men who have been crowned both World Amateur Champion and World Champion.
Due to the way he plays and his unassuming nature it’s often that Bingham finds himself overlooked by more flamboyant players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump but it’s easy to forget that Bingham has been a force in the game for two decades.
Currently 23rd in the race to secure automatic qualification for the World Championship, Bingham will desperately need to find some form as his 2025 has been nothing short of a disaster so far.
Not ranked high enough to take up his usual customary spot at the Masters, he crashed out of the first round of both the German Masters and Welsh Open.
Usually one of the most consistent players in the game, his consistency has deserted him of late and he will need to quickly find his best game over the next four weeks if he is to avoid the uncertainty of having to take his spot at the Crucible via qualifying.
Andrew Blakely
At 35, Andrew Blakely stands as a seasoned expert in both snooker and its betting intricacies. A dedicated player and analyst, he offers keen insights derived from years in the field. Through his writings, Andrew aspires to guide enthusiasts navigating the captivating world of snooker betting.
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