Ronnie O’Sullivan has never followed the usual script. Tournament schedules come and go, but his decisions rarely line up with expectation. That same unpredictability is now fuelling a new question around snooker’s biggest stage: would he ever turn up to World Championship qualifying? Speaking exclusively to sports betting platform 247Bet, Barry Hawkins suggested the idea is far from unrealistic.
The Welsh Open champion points to something more important than rankings or reputation. For snooker’s “Class of ’92”, O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams, the deciding factor is simple: they still want to play.
Qualifying Isn’t a Formality
The route to the Crucible through qualifying remains one of the most demanding stretches in the sport. Multiple matches, long frames, and very little margin for error. It’s a grind that even top professionals approach with caution.
Hawkins doesn’t downplay it.
“It’s hard to go through the qualifiers, especially now. At this stage of their careers, I’m not so sure if they’d still be up for it,” he said.
There is precedent, though. Mark Williams has already taken that route when his ranking dropped, proving that even established champions will step into that arena when needed.
“I remember a few years ago, Mark Williams dropped right down the rankings, and he put himself through it. So, he’s someone who has already put himself through it before.”
What has changed is the feel of the event itself. Qualifying no longer sits quietly in the background.
“But the setup for World Championship qualifying is really good. It feels like a big event in itself. It’s not like you’re playing in front of nobody, because they do get good crowds, and the atmosphere is still pretty decent.”
It Comes Down to One Thing
For players who have already won everything, motivation doesn’t come from chasing titles. It comes from something harder to quantify.
Hawkins puts it plainly.
“If push came to shove, I think they probably would go through it, because they just love playing. I think that their love for the game is enough for them to take the challenge on.”
That mindset explains why the idea of qualifying isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. For O’Sullivan, Higgins, and Williams, stepping into those rounds wouldn’t be about proving a point. It would be about staying in the game on their own terms.
Ronnie Doesn’t Follow Patterns
Out of the three, O’Sullivan is the least predictable. His schedule has never followed a clear pattern, and recent seasons have only reinforced that.
Hawkins leans into that unpredictability rather than trying to explain it.
“Ronnie’s a funny one. Sometimes he plays in the most random events because he just wants to play and fancies a game. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he turned up and played in World Championship qualifying, because sometimes he just loves playing.”
That instinct-driven approach makes almost any scenario possible.
“It’s not always about the event as such with Ronnie. It’s just because he wants to play at that time. So there’s no rhyme or reason with Ronnie, really.”
For fans, that lack of logic is part of the appeal. There’s no long-term roadmap, no fixed schedule, just decisions made in the moment.
A Short Window, Not a New Routine
Even if it happens, Hawkins doesn’t see it becoming a regular feature. The physical and mental demands of qualifying are too high to repeat year after year, especially at this stage of their careers.
Instead, it would likely be limited, a brief return rather than a long-term shift.
“So yeah, I can’t see why Ronnie [O’Sullivan], Mark [Williams], and John [Higgins] wouldn’t have a go at it just to get back to the Crucible. Although it won’t be for a few years yet.”
“They wouldn’t put themselves through it year upon year, but they would give qualifying one or two goes, and then if nothing was happening after that, then that would probably be it for them, I think.”
That framing matters. This isn’t about decline. It’s about choice.
A Tougher Field Than Ever
The timing adds another layer. The 2026 World Championship qualifying draw, announced on 1 April, features 128 players competing for just 16 Crucible spots. The field already includes major names, including former champions.
Any appearance from the Class of ’92 would drop them straight into that mix. No protection, no shortcuts.
That’s what makes the idea compelling. Not because it’s expected, but because it isn’t.
If It Happens, It’ll Be on His Terms
O’Sullivan doesn’t need qualifying. His legacy doesn’t hinge on another Crucible run. That’s what makes the possibility interesting.
If he turns up, it won’t be for rankings or records. It will be for the same reason Hawkins highlighted from the start.
Because sometimes, Ronnie O’Sullivan “just wants to play and fancies a game.”
