O’Sullivan, Williams and Robertson vie for Players spots at Welsh Open

Only 16 of the world’s best-ranked snooker players will qualify for the Championship, which takes place in Wolverhampton a week after the Open from February 20th.

Defending champion Neil Robertson is at risk of missing this year's cut as he languishes 3,500 points behind Mark Williams, who currently occupies the final place in the standings.

Robertson will need to reach at least the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open to make the Players line-up, but faces a tricky opener against Fraser Patrick in his opening match on Monday.

The 41-year-old won the Players and Tour Championship in 2022 but opted out of the British Open and European Masters costing him valuable points.

Ronnie O’Sullivan faces the most challenging route to the Players and will need to reach the final of the Welsh Open to qualify.

The world number 1 has lifted the Champion of Champions and the Hong Kong Masters this season but has struggled for form at ranking events. His best performance was at the UK Championship where he reached the quarter-finals.

'The Rocket', who lifted the Players Championship in 2018 and 2019, is currently 26th place in the standings on 49,500 points.

Mark Williams will also need several wins in Llandudno to qualify, as will 2021 Players Champion John Higgins who is in 63rd place on 22,500 points.

As well as ranking points, the winner of the Welsh Open - which takes place from 13-19 February - will pocket £80,000, with the runner-up earning £35,000.

Ranking List (current top 16)

1 - Mark Allen 505,000 points

2 - Ryan Day 144,000

3 - Kyren Wilson 138,500

4 - Ali Carter 134,500

5 - Ding Junhui 130,500

6 - Mark Selby 121,000

7 - Luca Brecel 108,500

8 - Jack Lisowski 107,500

9 - Gary Wilson 107,500

10 - Tom Ford 103,500

11 - Judd Trump 101,000

12 - Zhou Yuelong 79,500

13 - Shaun Murphy 77,000

14 - Chris Wakelin 73,500

15 - Xiao Guodong 69,500

16 - Mark Williams 68,500