Snooker Tour Championship: Top 12 Battle Ahead of World Championship
The world's top snooker players are gearing up for the last event before the highly anticipated World Championship in Sheffield – the Tour Championship. This prestigious tournament will see the top 12 players on the year ranking list battle it out in Manchester, with each match being a best of 19 frames played across two sessions.
One of the most intriguing matchups is between Kyren Wilson and the winner of the Mark Williams vs. Ding Junhui clash. Wilson, fresh off his victory over world No. 1 Judd Trump in the Players Championship, is determined to maintain his dominance and break the Crucible curse. Meanwhile, Williams will be debuting his new contact lenses as he takes on the formidable Ding Junhui.
Another exciting tie features John Higgins, the Wizard of Wishaw, who will face either Xiao Guodong or Wu Yize, both talented Chinese players. The veteran Scot will undoubtedly be looking to navigate this tricky encounter and make a deep run in the tournament.
Fans without a subscription package are in for a treat, as the entire tournament will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV via ITV4. Coverage begins at 12:45pm on Monday, March 31, with evening sessions starting at 6:45pm throughout the event. For those who prefer streaming, the whole tournament will also be available live and free on ITVX, with additional coverage of table two and commentary.
The Tour Championship boasts an impressive prize pool, with the winner set to take home a whopping £150,000. The runner-up will receive £60,000, while the semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will earn £40,000 and £30,000, respectively. Even first-round participants will walk away with a respectable £20,000, and the player with the highest break will pocket an additional £10,000.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement will build towards the final, which takes place on Sunday, April 6, across two sessions at 1pm and 7pm. With the World Championship looming, players will be keen to hit their stride and build momentum heading into the season's most prestigious event.
Key Takeaways:
- The Tour Championship is the last event before the World Championship, featuring the top 12 players on the year ranking list.
- All matches are best of 19 frames, played across two sessions.
- The tournament will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV via ITV4 and streamed on ITVX.
- The total prize pool is £500,000, with the winner receiving £150,000.
- The final takes place on Sunday, April 6, across two sessions at 1pm and 7pm.
