Crucible payday means Rotherham’s Ashley Carty doesn’t need to worry about petrol in the tank

But after banking £20,000 from his Crucible debut at the Betfred World Championship – more than the 25-year-old from Rotherham has earned all season – Carty can look forward to next season with renewed confidence.

The world No 82 – who has worked as a cleaner and sports coach to fund his snooker career – certainly impressed in Sheffield, despite a 10-7 first-round defeat to former world champion Stuart Bingham.

“I was over the moon just to qualify,” admitted Carty. “It gives me a lot of confidence going into next season.

“I have had a bit of a tough two years on Tour, but the last few months I have got a bit of confidence back, playing like I know I can, and competing with the best.”

Carty – who came through three tough qualifying rounds simply to reach the Crucible –turned professional in 2018.

Having also reached the semi-finals of the Championship League last month, the 25-year-old has now secured his Tour card for the next two seasons.

“To have £20,000, it takes a big weight off my shoulders and I can just go out there and enjoy playing,” he said. “Concentrate on winning, rather than think about the money.

“It takes the pressure off. There were times earlier in the season when I didn’t have much money in the bank, worrying about paying for petrol to get home from a tournament.”

Bingham – the 2015 world champion – had struggled on Friday, and was fortunate to lead 5-4, but he moved up a couple of gears on Saturday morning.

He reeled off breaks of 109, 96 – an attempted 147 maximum chance – 57 and 58 to go 9-4 in front.

Carty – a 750-1 outsider to win the tournament – had to wait until the fourth frame of the morning session to even pot a ball, such was the purple run of Bingham.

And when the Yorkshireman did get a chance, in frame 13, Bingham fluked an outrageous red to leave Carty scratching his head in bewilderment.

Having only turned professional in 2018, and Bingham needing just one more frame to secure a last-16 berth, it would have been easy for Carty to throw in the towel.

But he emerged on top after a safety battle in the next frame, knocking in a confidence-boosting 83.

The 25-year-old then cranked up the pressure on Masters champion Bingham with breaks of 51 and 56 to cut the deficit to 9-7.

Bingham was visibly wobbling, but held his nerve with an 82 break to secure victory.

“Coming into the match nobody expected me to win and I just wanted to enjoy my debut,” said Carty. “You only get your debut once.

“I have played pretty well in the match, 9-4 down and I just wanted to enjoy it, I was cueing pretty well.

“I made Stuart sweat a little bit in the end.

Carty was fortunate to play on Friday, the only day when fans were allowed inside the Crucible, before his match concluded on Saturday.

“Friday was probably the best day of my career with all my friends and family in the crowd, cheering me on, it was magnificent,” said Carty.

“It was slightly strange (Saturday), you have to pinch yourself a little bit, ‘I am playing at the Crucible’.”

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