Eight-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan has sensationally pulled out of the Masters at the eleventh hour, meaning Chris Wakelin will now take his place at Alexandra Palace.
O'Sullivan has skipped the Masters three times previously, in 2013, 2020, and then again last year when his late withdrawal on medical grounds allowed Neil Robertson to enter the tournament via the back the door.
12 months on, O'Sullivan has once again cited medical reasons for his absence from yet another UK-based event, leaving the Masters shorn of snooker's biggest star in what will be a massive blow to his legion of fans.
In a strange turn of events, O'Sullivan had been due to face Robertson in round one on Wednesday evening, but his place has now been taken by recent Scottish Open winner Wakelin who was the 17th seed at the cut-off point.
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