James Cahill will become the first ever amateur to grace the Crucible Theatre after he defeated Michael Judge 10-6 at World Championship qualifying in Sheffield.

Cahill spent four years as a professional on the tour before dropping off in 2017 and has wins over Mark Selby and Ding Junhui on his list of achievements.

In the first round, he has to go up against Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“This is the best buzz I’ve ever had playing snooker. I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet, but I know what I’ve achieved and it is something special,” said 23-year-old Cahill.

“There was a lot more at stake than just qualifying for the Crucible. I’ve had to try and get my Tour card for the next few years, which I’ve done. The fact that it is my first time qualifying as well added extra pressure.”

Joining Cahill will be four Chinese debutants at this year’s World Championship after Zhao Xintong, Luo Honghao, Tian Pengfei and Li Hang progressed from their final qualifiers. They join Asian number one Ding Junhui and Zhou Yuelong in the main draw, a record tally of Chinese players at the Crucible.

The 2018 WSF Amateur Champion Luo Honghao booked his maiden trip to the Crucible with a narrow 10-8 win over Tom Ford and admits he’ll be up against it, regardless of who he is paired against.

Luo said: “Every top-16 player is better than me, so it is no different playing Ronnie O’Sullivan. I just have to learn and enjoy the match. I want to play against my idol. I really love Ronnie, so I want to face him at the Crucible.”

O’Sullivan is 3.25 favourite to win his sixth World Championship, with 201.00 to prevail in Sheffield this year.