Allen aims to emulate McIlroy and complete career set

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen says he will be "very disappointed" if he finishes his career without a World Championship title.

Allen has won 12 ranking titles in his illustrious career so far, but the missing World Championship title has prevented him from completing snooker's Triple Crown Series after triumphs in the Players Championship (2016 and 2024) and the Masters (2018).

The closest he has come is semi-final exits in 2009 and 2023, but the 39-year-old is determined to go all the way this year and is taking inspiration from fellow NI man Rory McIlroy, who completed the golf Grand Slam last year after a long wait.

"You pot those balls as a kid and you want to pot them to be World champion, with the greatest respect to the tournaments I have won, you don't do it to win those, it is for World Championships so I can relate a lot to what Rory went through all those years," Allen told BBC Sport NI.

"He broke his duck last year so hopefully I can do it this year. I've had a good career, one I think most would snap your hand off for, but you're always judged on the major events and I have only won the UK (Championship) and the Masters which is great, but it is all about the World Championships.

"If I look back on my career and haven't won a world title, I'll be very disappointed."

'I can win when I'm not playing well'

First up for the Antrim native is the Players Championship on Tuesday with Allen taking on Wu Yize in the first round at 13:00 GMT.

Allen is hoping a good performance in Telford can be the springboard for a good end to the campaign after a frustrating season so far.

"I haven't had the best of seasons and don't think I've played my best stuff, so now I'm just trying to work on a few things any chance I get and hopefully finish the season strong," he added.

"It's a tournament I've won twice and I've Wu up first, he's been flying this season, won his first tournament and he's one of the most exciting prospects in the game, but if I play my best stuff I'll win.

"I can win when I'm not playing well which is a good feather in my cap I didn't have before. I think if I win a tournament soon I can reel them off like I have done in the past and win two or three events in a short space of time, so it would be a good time to put things right."