Mark Williams three-time world snooker champion criticised the current tournament draw system, arguing that top-ranked players are being unfairly disadvantaged despite claims that they receive preferential treatment.
Williams is one of only two top-16 players to reach the quarter-final stage of the Northern Ireland Open, alongside Kyren Wilson, following a series of surprising results at the ranking event.
Defending champion Jack Lisowski suffered a 4-1 defeat to Anthony McGill in the second round, while Welshman Jak Jones eliminated John Higgins. Other leading players, including Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan, also suffered early exits after losing closely contested matches.
Speaking after his second-round victory, Williams explained that the tournament format had made it increasingly difficult for the sport’s elite players to enjoy favourable draws.
Under the current system, the top 16 seeds enter the competition at the venue stage, while other players must battle through qualifying. Williams argued that those who progress from qualifying are often dangerous opponents who have already won several matches.
He dismissed suggestions that the leading players receive special treatment, insisting that their positions among the sport’s elite had been earned through consistent performances.
Williams also questioned the return of flat draws, although he acknowledged that the debate over tournament formats had both positive and negative aspects.
The Welshman explained that flat draws had historically allowed leading players such as Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson to dominate competitions. He believes the current system, however, gives lower-ranked players valuable opportunities to accumulate ranking points before facing the top seeds.
According to Williams, this can leave lower-ranked competitors better prepared and under less pressure when they eventually meet the sport’s biggest names.
He suggested that if all 128 players entered tournaments from the opening round, some lower-ranked professionals who currently earn between £30,000 and £40,000 before the top seeds enter would struggle to achieve comparable earnings.
Williams strengthened his position with an emphatic whitewash of Martin O’Donnell on Thursday. O’Donnell had earlier knocked Trump out of the tournament, but Williams produced a dominant performance to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
He was scheduled to face David Gilbert on Friday, with the winner set to meet either Jones or Scott Donaldson in the semi-finals.
On the opposite side of the draw, McGill was due to face Wilson, while Elliot Slessor was set to take on Sam Craigie.
With so many highly ranked players already eliminated, the Northern Ireland Open has highlighted the unpredictable nature of the current format and reignited the debate over whether snooker’s draw system should be changed.
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