Snooker: Chris Keogan to do battle for coveted spot at Crucible

Club Doncaster's Chris Keogan will begin his quest to qualify for the 2018 Betfred World Championship on Saturday.
Chris KeoganChris Keogan
Chris Keogan

Keogan, from Sprotbrough, will face Jack Lisowski in the first qualifying round.

The qualifying event runs from April 11-18 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

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Only the top 16 seeds have earned an automatic place in the final stages at the Crucible, which start on April 21.

All other players must win three best-of-19 frame matches to secure a coveted spot at snooker’s Theatre of Dreams.

Keogan said: “I’m looking forward to it, playing in the World Championship at the Crucible has been my dream since I was a kid.

“I have an opportunity now, so hopefully I can take it.

“I have taken part twice before, once in the old system then last season.

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“Going to the Crucible as a fan was one of the main reasons I got into snooker, the way Sheffield comes alive for the tournament is incredible - like Wimbledon in tennis.”

Keogan is coming to the end of his second year with Club Doncaster, a partnership which coincided with him earning his place on the professional tour.

He added: “It has been good, we’ve moved on a bit from the first year and I’ve done more things in the family area on Rovers matchdays.

“It has been great to spend time in Donny Dog’s Kennel with the mini snooker table.

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“A lot of my time in snooker is quite serious, so it is nice to do things which is a bit more fun - we’ve had fans playing snooker against Rovers players which is great.”

Tickets for the qualifying rounds are still available and offer a fantastic chance to see many of snooker’s best players battling for a place in the final stages of the sport’s biggest tournament. They cost just £10 per day (or £20 for any three days) – for details visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets.

The draw for the first round at the Crucible will take place at 10am on Thursday, April 19.