MaGowan Withdraws From UK Open

JOHN MAGOWAN has been forced to pull out of the Speedy Hire UK Open with a hip injury.

The veteran star, who turns 70 next week and was a semi-finalist in the 2006 UK Open, withdrew from the UK Open hours before the event began on Thursday after being unable to travel from his Donaghadee home to Bolton.

As a result, his first round opponent in Bolton, Shaun Griffiths, receives a bye into the second round of the tournament.

Belgian Rocco Maes is able to play in Bolton despite still showing the after-effects of a bicycle accident suffered a fortnight ago.

Maes suffered leg and head injuries in the accident, but is in Bolton and will face Colin Appleton in round one.

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