Gerwyn Price withdraws from UK Pool Open moments before match

Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the UK Pool Open prior to his opening match.

The former darts world champion had been due to appear at this week’s event.

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However, he pulled out shortly before he was set to face Kostiantyn Ivanov on Tuesday.

As a result, Ivanov was handed a 9-0 walkover victory following his opponent’s withdrawal.

Price had confirmed his involvement in the tournament earlier this month.

The UK Pool Open is being held at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, with live coverage available on the talkSPORT YouTube channel.

talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein is also taking part in the tournament.

Having started on Tuesday, the UK Pool Open runs through until Sunday, May 31.

Price had previously revealed his intention to begin the tournament on Tuesday before taking a break for the Premier League finals night on Thursday.

He had then planned to return to action at the UK Pool Open on Friday and Saturday.

Price on his pool career

Price had spoken of his interest in pool after signing up for the UK Pool Open.

He told Sky Sports: “I went and watched the Mosconi Cup and have taken some interest in nine-ball pool, and got an invite to the UK Open.

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“So, I’ll take it with both hands and give it a crack. Hopefully I make the Premier League Darts play-offs, first of all.

“If I do, with the pool, I think I could possibly play on the Tuesday. It’s double-elimination, so I’ll still be in for a couple days after that.

“Then maybe break up a bit on Thursday [for the darts], and Friday-Saturday I should be playing [pool] again hopefully.”

Premier League finals night

Price will now turn his attention to the Premier League Darts.

The Iceman faces Luke Littler in the semi-finals of finals night at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday.

Either Jonny Clayton or Luke Humphries await the winner in the final.

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Price is aiming to win the Premier League for the first time in his career.

His previous best performance came in 2023, when he was beaten in the final by Michael van Gerwen.

The world No.7 finished fourth in the league stage standings after picking up two nightly wins.