Jamie Clarke has advanced to the second round of the Welsh Open after Ronnie O'Sullivan's last-minute withdrawal from the tournament. The seven-time world champion pulled out just four hours before his scheduled match against Clarke in Llandudno.

World Snooker did not provide any reason for O'Sullivan's absence from Llandudno, but Higgins feels it is likely to be down to him bedding in a new piece of equipment. "I think he’ll be back," Higgins is quoted as saying by Metro after his win over Robert Milkins at the Welsh Open.

Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan broke one rare rule at a previous edition of the Welsh Open, where he has once again stirred controversy after withdrawing at the 11th hour

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

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from this week's Welsh Open in Llandudno, hours before he was due to play Jamie Clarke in the first round on Tuesday afternoon.

Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from the Welsh Open hours before his first-round match against Jamie Clarke, leaving fans who had travelled to Llandudno to watch him fuming