3rd September

September 03, 2026

Snooker247
The Global Snooker Newsletter
      
Issue · 3rd September
3rd September
Global snooker updates from this week in an easy 5-minute read.
September 3, 2026
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British Open
O'Sullivan Withdraws From British Open

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of the British Open on medical advice, just days after the tournament got underway at The Centaur in Cheltenham. O'Sullivan has been replaced in the draw by Mark Joyce, who takes his place against Daniel Wells.

It is O'Sullivan's second withdrawal of the young season and continues a stop-start start to his 2026/27 campaign. The tournament marks the tour's return to UK soil after three successive events in China, with defending champion Shaun Murphy opening his title defence with a routine 4-0 win over 12-time women's world champion Reanne Evans.

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British Open
Williams Whitewashed as Wu Sets Up Wilson Showdown

Former world champion Mark Williams suffered a shock 0-4 whitewash defeat to David Gilbert in the opening round in Cheltenham, one of several early upsets as the tournament got underway. World Champion Wu Yize needed a decider to see off compatriot Liu Hongyu 4-3, while 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson eased past Austria's Florian Nuessle 4-1.

The random draw has thrown up an eye-catching second-round tie between Wu and Wilson, with the pair set to meet in what promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament's early stages.

0-4
Williams' shock loss
4-3
Wu's tight escape
R2
Wu vs Wilson next
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Around the World
Asia
Chinese Contingent Shines in Cheltenham
A sizeable group of Chinese players made the trip for the British Open, with Wu Yize, Zhang Anda, and Chang Bingyu among those safely through to the second round.
Women's
UK Women's Championship Returns Next Week
World Women's Snooker heads back to the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds from September 4-6, with world champion Panchaya Channoi among the entrants.
USA
Sacramento Hosts Pan American Champs
The Pan American Snooker Championships are underway in Sacramento, California, running through September 7, with the Open winner earning a two-year World Snooker Tour card.
Europe
Home Nations Series Rolls On
Straight after Cheltenham, the tour's Home Nations Series continues with the English Open at the Brentwood Centre from September 7-13.
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