The withdrawal of Stephen Maguire from the China Open with a bad back, a problem that troubled him at the Welsh Open earlier this year, brought to three the number of players who will not be travelling to Beijing after the draw was made. Maguire had been due to play Dave Harold, who will receive a bye into the last 32 and a guaranteed minimum of £6,500 from the prize-money pot. The same applies to Martin O’Donnell, who was due to play Stuart Bingham (family funeral), and Alfie Burden (Tony Drago, no reason given but has always had a strong fear of flying).