Williams Wins Golden Ticket and Crucible Qualification
Philip Williams defeated Craig Steadman 4-1 in the final to win the LLP Solicitors World Seniors Snooker Championship Golden Ticket Qualifier and book a return to the Crucible Theatre for the main stages of the event next month.
A new concept to the World Seniors Snooker Tour, the invitational Golden Ticket event was open to the top performing players from this season’s rankings following a plethora of qualifying competitions.
Former professional Williams – who also qualified for Sheffield in 2021 and 2022 – is set for three appearances in a row after emerging from the 17-player field at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading this past weekend.
The 55-year-old defeated Dean Sycamore 4-1 and then Gary Filtness 4-0 (73 break) in the last 16 and eight respectively to advance to Sunday’s final four. He then dispatched recent English Seniors Snooker Championship winner Lee Stephens 4-1 in the semi-finals.
Coming through the other side of the draw was Steadman, who dropped just one frame as he eliminated Neil Craycraft (4-0), Rory McLeod (4-0) and Stuart Watson (4-1) en route.
However, Williams caused somewhat of an upset in the title match, registering a 79 break to win the opening frame before claiming the final three consecutively for victory.
The Welshman can now look forward to another trip to snooker’s most iconic venue, and a date with three-time world seniors champion Jimmy White in the opening round during the evening session of Friday 5th May.
Tickets to the 2023 LLP Solicitors World Seniors Snooker Championship can be purchased via the Sheffield Theatres website. You can view the draw and schedule here.
