Snooker Shock: Barry Hawkins Crashes Out as Jimmy White Pulls Plug on Championship League
The Championship League in Leicester continues to throw up surprises as world No. 9 Barry Hawkins crashed out early, and snooker veteran Jimmy White withdrew from the event altogether. With just six places remaining to be filled in the last 32, the tension is mounting at the Mattioli Arena.
Hawkins, a consistent top-tier performer and former World Championship finalist, fell short in Group 1 after narrowly losing out to Haydon Pinhey on frame difference. Despite a strong 3-0 win over Haris Tahir and a 2-2 draw with John Astley, Hawkins couldn’t edge past Pinhey, who managed to finish just ahead in the group standings. The result comes as a shock for many, considering Hawkins’ pedigree and recent form.
Meanwhile, David Lilley, a former world seniors champion, showed his class in Group 20. Lilley impressed with a magnificent 128 break—one of the tournament’s highest so far—as he booked his place in the next round. His performance adds to the growing list of unexpected successes in this year’s Championship League.
The drama didn’t end there. Snooker legend Jimmy White, a six-time World Championship finalist, has withdrawn from the competition, creating an opening in Group 24. His replacement, amateur Zack Richardson, now faces a daunting task against last year’s finalist Jackson Page. Also competing in the group are former Welsh Open champion Jordan Brown and Liu Wenwei, making it one of the most intriguing sections of the tournament.
The Championship League, which runs from June 30 to July 23, features a unique format with 32 initial groups of four. Group winners advance to the next stage, eventually filtering down to just two groups, whose winners will compete in the grand final on July 23. The champion will take home £33,000 and secure a coveted spot in the Champion of Champions tournament in November. With high stakes and big names already falling, this year’s edition promises plenty more surprises ahead.
