Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of the British Open hours before he was due to play his first round match. 'The Rocket' was drawn to take on Thai player Manasawin Phetmalaikui, who is currently ranked 116th in snooker's Order of Merit, on Monday evening.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was due to face Thailand's Manasawin Phetmalaikul in the first round of the British Open on Monday, but the 48-year-old withdrew at late notice

Ronnie O’Sullivan was a late withdrawal from the British Open while defending champion Mark Williams was stunned in his opening round match in Cheltenham. O’Sullivan was due to face Thailand’s Manasawin Phetmalaikul in his first game and was still in the draw on Monday morning.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, 48, and Laila Rouass, 53, are said to have broken up - but this morning the pair were spotted out and about together near their home in Essex

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the British Open, with Lewis Ullah his replacement in the official tournament draw.

Ronnie O'Sullivan ended his own hopes of winning the British Open for the first time since 1994 by withdrawing from the competition just hours before his first-round match.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of the British Open on the day of his slated first-round clash with Manasawin Phetmalaikul. Fans flocking to Cheltenham will be left disappointed by the Rocket's absence in an otherwise star-studded field.