RONNIE O'SULLIVAN could lose his world No1 ranking after pulling out of the European Masters with injury.
The 47-year-old had been due to face Andy Hicks on day one of the event.
Hicks, 50, will now receive a bye to the second round.
In a statement posted online, the World Snooker Tour confirmed: "Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the BetVictor European Masters in Germany for medical reasons.
"O’Sullivan was due to play Andy Hicks in the first round of the world ranking event in Nuremberg on Tuesday at 8pm.”
“Hicks will now receive a bye to the last 64.”
READ MORE SNOOKER NEWS
Snooker champ Mark Selby and his family rescued from raging Rhodes wildfire
All the best free bets & sign up offers for punters right here
O'Sullivan could lose his world No1 ranking to Luca Brecel or Mark Allen.
Brecel, 28, would likely become the new No1 should he reach the semi-finals.
That is, if Mark Allen fails to win the tournament.
Should the Northern Irishman, 37, triumph, it would be he that usurps O'Sullivan into top spot.
Most read in Sport
Pioneering BBC football commentator dies aged 86 as tributes pour in
Greenwood 'wanted by Gerrard's Saudi club' but ex-Man Utd boss 'interested'
Sky Sports apologise for 'insensitive & regrettable' comments during match
Gary Lineker breaks silence on Mason Greenwood after striker AXED from Man Utd
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
Brecel won the World Snooker Championship earlier this year.
The Belgian Bullet overcame Mark Selby 18-15 in the final to win the tournament for the first time.
On his way to victory, Brecel beat O'Sullivan 13-10 in the quarter-finals at The Crucible.
Brecel and Allen are on different sides of the draw this week.
That means that the duo could fight it out for world No1 in Sunday's final.
Graeme Dott also withdrew from the European Masters earlier this week.
He pulled out in time to be replaced in the draw by Steven Hallworth.
O'Sullivan is next scheduled to be in action at the Shanghai Masters, which gets underway next month.
Source: Read Full Article
