Snooker: World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Scottish amateur Rhys Clark in UK
World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan will face Scottish amateur Rhys Clark in the UK Championship's first round in York.
Last Updated: 07/11/13 11:10pm
'The Rocket' will take on Larkhall's 19-year-old Clark in opening round at the York Barbican on Saturday, November 30 hoping to add the sport's second most prestigious title to his 2013 Sheffield crown.
Seven amateur players have been given places in the world ranking tournament thanks to their performances in Q School last May.
For the first time, 128 players are all competing in the same round at the venue, with Mark Selby will opening the defence of his UK title against Shane Castle, a gifted 15-year-old from Southampton, while world number one Neil Robertson will meet Bradford's 18-year-old Dylan Mitchell.
China's Ding Junhui will begin his quest to win a fourth consecutive ranking title against Middlesbrough's Antony Parsons, all taking place on the tournament's opening weekend.
Ding became the first player since Stephen Hendry in 1993 to win three consecutive ranking titles after defeating Marco Fu in Chengdu's recent International Championship.
The 2013 UK Championship runs from November 26 to December 8 and other top snooker stars such as Judd Trump, John Higgins, Jimmy White, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen will also be among those competing for the £150,000 top prize, and a possible £55,000 bonus available for a 147 maximum break.
