Snooker-O'Sullivan pulls out of Masters on medical grounds

FILE PHOTO: Snooker - World Snooker Championship - The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, Britain - April 29, 2024 England's Ronnie O'Sullivan during a press conference after winning his second round match against Wales' Ryan Day Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Record eight-times Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from this year's tournament on medical grounds, organisers said on Friday.

Englishman O'Sullivan, 49, had been set to face fellow great John Higgins in a blockbuster first-round clash at the 16-player invitational tournament staged at Alexandra Palace.