Gerwyn Price makes Premier League play-off decision after withdrawing from UK Open pool

Gerwyn Price won't play in the UK Open pool championship this afternoon after deciding to withdraw at the eleventh hour ahead of this week's Premier League play-offs.

Price was due to play Kostiantyn Ivanov this afternoon in the tournament and it also included Barry Hearn and also Andy Goldstein of talkSPORT and initially he had said that he might even skip the play-offs to play in it.

Albeit at that point he wasn't qualified at he is now so of course that has changed but ahead of the match beginning at 2pm local time, he has decided to withdraw. He did play in it last year and produced some of his famous celebrations to boot too. But now he won't be involved as he prepares for The O2.

"I went and watched the Mosconi Cup and have taken some interest in nine-ball pool, and got an invite to the UK Open. So, I'll take it with both hands and give it a crack," he told Sky Sports at the time.

"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."

Price at the time said that he was in it to win it and wasn't there to make up the numbers as a professional sportsman, he wouldn't leave any stone unturned but now he won't be involved at all.

"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.

He did say though that he would prefer to play the Premier League play-offs at the time and now hours before he was due to play he won't be involved in the pool tournament.

"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,"