Snooker star handed tour card after missing entire season as statement released

 A snooker player has been granted a medical exemption by the World Snooker Tour (WST).

Sam Craigie has been handed a two-year tour card despite his absence for the entire 2024-25 season

Snooker star Sam Craigie has been handed a new two-year tour card despite missing the entire 2024-25 season. The world No. 84 has been granted an exemption on medical grounds after he dropped out of the top 64, the threshold to earn an automatic tour card, due to his absence.

Craigie, who rose to world No. 33 in 2023, is widely reported to have undergone surgery to repair a neck injury. The World Snooker Tour (WST) have confirmed that he will start next season on zero points, which is consistent with all players being handed a new tour card. The sport’s governing body say they considered plenty of evidence before making their decision.

A statement read: “WST and WPBSA have awarded a new two-year tour card to Sam Craigie on medical grounds. Craigie was not able to compete at all during the 2024/25 season due to injury and dropped out of the world’s top 64.

“Having considered all of the facts, WST and WPBSA have offered Craigie a two-year card. He will start the 2025/26 season with zero ranking points, consistent with other players with a new two-year card. WST and WPBSA wish Sam all the best and look forward to seeing him back competing next season.”

Back in 2022, Craigie hit the headlines after he was involved in a spat with four-time world champion Mark Selby. The Leicester cueist claimed Craigie did not “put the work in” when he helped his rival during his junior career, a claim Craigie slammed as ‘embarrassing’.

Sam Craigie is said to have undergone an operation on his neck

Speaking to the Mirror at the time, Craigie said: “I thought it was embarrassing, to be honest. Bringing up a story from, what, 10 years ago? I might be wrong but it was a long time ago and it was just absolutely irrelevant. I don't understand why he did it and I never will.

“It wasn’t hard to hear but it was more of a shock as to why somebody who went through bad experiences and mental health has openly tried to knock somebody else down. It was very bizarre timing.

“The funny thing is in Milton Keynes during lockdown, when we played the Championship League, he helped us out a little bit and gave us some advice. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Mark and he’s easy to listen to because he’s been there and done it. But ever since he said that it’s changed my opinion [on him]. I’ve not spoken to him since."