Stephen Hendry to face Darren Morgan at World Seniors Championship, Jimmy White awaits Golden Ticket winner

Stephen Hendry is to face Darren Morgan at the 2023 World Seniors Championship as the draw for the event was made.

Last year’s champion Lee Walker will begin the defence of his title against Gerard Greene, while Jimmy White is still to learn the name of his opponent.

Following the conclusion of the World Championship on May 1, the seniors will take over the Crucible for their own event, which runs from 3-7 May.

A star-studded 16 players will battle for the top prize in seniors snooker, with legends of the sport taking part.

Three world champions will be in action, while many eyes will be drawn to White – a winner of the World Seniors in 2010, 2019 and 2020.

White will be in action on May 5 against the Golden Ticket Winner.

The Golden Ticket winner will be decided on April 23 at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading.

Craig Steadman, Neil Craycraft, Mark Bell, James O’Sullivan, Rory McLeod, Stuart Watson, Dharminder Lilly, Matt Ford, Gary Britton, Wayne Townsend, James Height, Lee Stephens, Andrew Paget, Nigel Howe, Gary Filtness, Philip Williams and Dean Sycamore are in the field and battling for the Golden Ticket.

Seven-time world champion Hendry has cut little ice back on the main tour, but will have hope of toppling Morgan in round one.

Joe Johnson won the World Championship when beating Steve Davis in the final in 1986. He is now better known as a commentator for Eurosport, but is still wielding the cue at the age of 70 and will take on Adrian Ridley on May 5.

Ken Doherty is another world champion to feature. The Irishman won the title in 1997, beating Hendry in the final. Doherty’s opponent will be Alfie Burden.

Walker will get the event under way when he faces Greene on May 3.

First Round

• Lee Walker v Gerard Greene (7:00pm, Wednesday 3 May)
• Peter Lines v Ben Hancorn (12:00pm, Friday 5 May)
• Stephen Hendry v Darren Morgan (7:00pm, Friday 5 May)
• Ken Doherty v Alfie Burden (7:00pm, Thursday 4 May)
• Jimmy White v Golden Ticket Winner (7:00pm, Friday 5 May)
• Joe Johnson v Adrian Ridley (12:00pm, Friday 5 May)
• Tony Drago v Vito Puopolo (7:00pm, Thursday 4 May)
• Mark Davis v Mohamed Khairy (7:00pm, Wednesday 3 May)

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