Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the UK Open pool championship just hours before he was due to play, opting instead to prepare for this week's Premier League play-offs at The O2. The Welshman was scheduled to face Kostiantyn Ivanov in the tournament, which also included Barry Hearn and talkSPORT's Andy Goldstein, but pulled out ahead of the 2pm local time start.
Price had previously told Sky Sports that he would take the pool invitation 'with both hands and give it a crack', even suggesting he might skip the play-offs to play in it. However, at that point he was not yet qualified for the Premier League play-offs. Now that he has secured his spot at The O2, his priorities have shifted.
'I'm in it to win it. I wouldn't turn up if I didn't think I could win. I'm half decent! They're good players but I'm there to win,' Price said earlier, but he also admitted: '100 per cent. That's my bread and butter. I'm there to win the Premier League, hopefully if I get there, but I'll be one eye on the pool as well.'
Price had played in the pool championship last year and produced some of his famous celebrations. But now he will not be involved at all as he turns his full attention to the Premier League play-offs.
