Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the 2023 Scottish Open due to “medical reasons” hours before he was set to face Liam Graham in his opening tie of the tournament. Graham is now awaiting confirmation as to whether he will be given a bye into the round of 32 or play a replacement opponent.
It is unclear at the time of writing what the “medical reason” is but the Rocket did hint he wouldn’t be playing at the Scottish Open before picking up a record-extending eighth UK Championship earlier this month.
O’Sullivan told assembled media two weeks ago he would “probably miss” the Edinburgh major in favour of preparing for an exhibition event in Macau.
“I’m looking forward to a break,” he said. “I think I have to monitor my schedule a lot, and I just think prevention is better than cure and I don’t want to get to the point where I hit a bad spot.
It has been 23 years since O’Sullivan last picked up a Scottish Open crown when he overcame Mark Williams 9-1 in the final. He did reach the final in 2020 but was eventually beaten by Mark Selby.
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