Joyce qualified for the World Snooker Championship for the first time after beating Anthony Hamilton and Igor Figueiredo in the qualifying rounds. He drew the reigning champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round. During the match, Joyce closed the gap to 4-3 and had a chance to steal the eighth frame to level the match, but O'Sullivan stole the frame with the final black to lead 5–3. Joyce ultimately lost 10–4 to O'Sullivan.