Today saw confirmation of the draw for the upcoming 2013 UK Championship, which will kick off later this month at the Barbican Centre in York, for a third successive year.
Notable points include the non-entry of Steve Davis, which not only points towards his participation in the latest series of ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!’ but also throws out of the window the various predicted matches for the competition.
Click here to view the draw at snookerorg, or continue reading for World Snooker’s press release…
Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Scottish amateur Rhys Clark in the first round when he starts his bid to add the williamhill.com UK Championship crown to his World title later this month.
The Rocket will take on Larkhall’s 19-year-old Clark in opening round at the York Barbican on Saturday November 30.
Seven amateur players have been given places in the world ranking tournament thanks to their performances in Q School last May. For the first time, 128 players are all competing in the same round at the venue, and seven players on the professional tour did not enter the event, so their places went to the amateurs highest on the Q School ranking list.
Mark Selby will open the defence of his UK title against Shane Castle, a gifted 15-year-old from Southampton, while world number one Neil Robertson will meet Bradford’s 18-year-old Dylan Mitchell.
China’s Ding Junhui will begin his quest to win a fourth consecutive ranking title against Middlesbrough’s Antony Parsons. Those four matches will all be played on Saturday November 30.
The tournament runs from November 26 to December 8 and top stars like Judd Trump, John Higgins, Jimmy White, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen will also be among those competing for the £150,000 top prize. There will also be a £55,000 bonus available for a 147 maximum break.
Joe Crilly from williamhill.com said: “With 128 players set to go head to head, there is the potential for some real upsets in the first couple of rounds of action and we could be in for a real treat in York.”
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE and start at just £8 (concessions £4), phenomenal value for a top class sporting event. Call 0844 854 2757 or book online at yorkbarbican.co.uk or worldsnooker.com/tickets
Go to williamhill.com for the latest odds on the tournament.