Judd Trump has become the youngest player for 14 years to reach the World Championship by beating James Wattana 10-5 in the final qualifying round. Bristol's Trump emulates ex-champions Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan - the only other 17-year-olds to feature at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
"I'm delighted," he said. "It's what you dream about when you're younger and I've done it in only my second season.
"I can still play a lot better but the result is what matters."
Trump led 9-1 before Wattana launched a late rally at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
but the former world number three from Thailand could not prevent the youngter's progress.
"Towards the end I was rushing to get over the winning line too quickly," said Trump, a professional since 2005.
"James struggled in the first session but nearer the end he didn't really have any pressure on him and he came back well.
Wattana, who reached the Crucible semi-finals in 1993 and 1997, could only mustered a highest break of 25 in the first eight frames.
Trump will be 17 years and 243 days old when the tournament begins, 111 days older than O'Sullivan in 1993.
Hendry was 17 years and 99 days old when he made his Crucible debut in 1986.
Joe Perry, who reached the Crucible quarter-finals three years ago, secured a first-round place with a 10-5 defeat of Drew Henry. 
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