Northern Ireland Open in Belfast Without Williams and O'Sullivan

The Northern Ireland Open begins Sunday at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, where 64 players will compete for the Alex Higgins Trophy and a winner's prize of 100,000 over a week of play running through Sunday, October 26. The 10th edition of the tournament is the second event in the Home Nations Series and features most of the sport's leading names, but a couple of notable absences have reshaped the draw.

Mark Williams, fresh from winning the Xian Grand Prix and becoming the oldest player to claim a ranking title, withdrew from the Northern Ireland Open to rest after extensive travel. Williams said he needed a break after several months on the road and would skip the Belfast stop, a decision that hands Long Zehuang a bye into the last 32. Seven‑time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is also absent, having again chosen a selective schedule and not entered this year's event.

Defending champion Kyren Wilson returns to Belfast to begin his title defence against Oliver Lines, while four‑time tournament winner Judd Trump opens against Anthony McGill. Local favourite Mark Allen, a two‑time winner in 2021 and 2022, starts his campaign against Robert Milkins and will bid to add a third...