Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls OUT of Welsh Open just hours before tournament opener sparking health fears

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has pulled out of the Welsh Open just hours before he was scheduled to make his comeback in the first-round.

The Rocket was due to return against Wales' home hero Jamie Clarke at 1pm today after missing the last two tournaments.

But, like at numerous other tournaments of late, he's withdrawn from the Welsh event at the 11th hour.

O'Sullivan, a four-time Welsh Open winner, did not take part in the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters and German Masters.

He played in Saudi before Christmas and the lowkey event in the Championship League.

The reason for his latest exit this time remains unclear but he withdrew from the Masters on "medical grounds".

Clarke has received a bye into the last-32 in Llandudno.

The world No.65 said: “Yeah, I was relishing playing him.

“There was 20 per cent a little bit disappointment when I got the phonecall this morning.

“Because he’s coming towards the end of his career. You don’t get many chances to play Ronnie.

“He picks and chooses his events and rightly so. I was probably more happy than not happy, but it would have been nice to play him.”

O'Sullivan hasn't played since snapping his cue during a frustrating Championship League campaign on January 9.

The Rocket apologised to opponent Robert Milkins and the ref after twice rapping his cue against the table during the Group 3 match.

The 49-year-old entered the contest on a rough losing run after falling to defeat in four of his opening five matches in the tournament.

O'Sullivan has now dropped out of his fourth successive ranking competition just hours before the start.

Masters champion Shaun Murphy had suggested on Monday that O'Sullivan might drop out again.

Murphy told the BBC: "Ronnie spoke at the Masters about not being in a great place.

"So I wouldn't say his appearance here to play on this table is absolutely guaranteed."

Last month, O'Sullivan claimed his “nightmare decision” to pull out of the Masters was due to exhaustion.

He was due to face long-time rival John Higgins in the opening round of the Triple Crown event at Ally Pally.

The seven-time world champion also called for World Snooker to employ a full-time mental health professional at tournaments to support players struggling with psychological pressures.

O'Sullivan dropped out of several events in late 2024, including the Scottish Open.

The Brit won last year's Masters hot on the heels of strong performances at the Shanghai Masters and the UK Championship.

Discussing his future in December, Ronnie said: "At the moment I’ve hardly played any matches since August. It is what it is.

"[I just want] to keep on playing, enjoying it, having fun and see what happens.

"I don’t really have a New Year’s resolution. Maybe it’s just to stay healthy and be happy, I suppose."