Ronnie O’Sullivan PULLS OUT of British Open hours before opening match – days after snooker ace split from fiancee

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has withdrawn from the British Open just hours before he was set to get underway.

The Rocket, 48, had been due to face Manasawin Phetmalaikul in round one.

O'Sullivan's withdrawal comes just days after his split with fiancee Laila Rouass was made public.

It emerged last Thursday that the pair had split up... following 147 months together.

The Rocket began dating actress Laila in 2012, with the pair getting engaged the following year.

They went on to split in 2022, before patching things up and getting back together.

After news of their recent split broke, O'Sullivan and Laila, 53, were spotted out for a dog walk together last week.

The Rocket has been replaced in the British Open field by Lewis Ullah.

Despite O'Sullivan's withdrawal, the Cheltenham event still boasts a strong field including the likes of Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson and Mark Williams.

The stacked line-up will compete for a £100,000 prize money cheque.

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The Rocket is scheduled to be return to action next month at the Wuhan Open, which commences on October 6.

He has been busy of late, competing in China, Saudi Arabia and the UK in recent weeks.

His packed schedule is said to have played a part in his split with Laila.

A friend told The Sun: "Ronnie has spent months and months on the road this year doing snooker tours for big money in China and Saudi Arabia while Laila has been concentrating on her acting career.

“There is a lot of love between them but they have been going in different directions and conceded it is over.

“Ronnie and Laila make a lovely couple so the people who know them best are hoping this is a blip like back in 2022.”