The Welsh Open takes place in Llandudno for the fourth consecutive yr, prompting sturdy emotions from one star
Jackson Web page has been vocal concerning the Welsh Open (Picture: VCG, VCG through Getty Photos)
This yr’s Welsh Open snooker will happen in Llandudno for the fourth consecutive yr however Jackson Web page reckons a change of venue is required. The event, which was first staged in 1992, was initially held in Newport. For the opening three a long time of its existence, it remained in both Newport or Cardiff earlier than transferring to North Wales. Nonetheless, this hasn’t sat properly with Web page. The world No. 33, who comes from Ebbw Vale, maintains a return to the south of the nation is important.
He’s certainly one of 5 Welsh gamers within the spherical of 64 for the Welsh Open, which kicks off on Monday as Mark Selby units out to defend his title, whereas others fell throughout qualifying. Mark Williams is the highest-seeded of the quintet, with Ryan Day, Dylan Emery and Jak Jones additionally competing. “I just like the place and the venue however I do not suppose it’s the place the Welsh Open is staged,” Web page stated. “I really feel prefer it needs to be in south Wales, 100%. Simply because there isn’t a participant from north Wales, each professional on tour is from south Wales. So it would not actually really feel like a house occasion for us in all honesty.”
His first spherical fixture is in opposition to 2023 world champion Luca Brecel, who was required to return via qualifying after sliding down the world rankings. Web page made his Welsh Open debut as a youngster and has fond reminiscences of the event after reaching the quarter-finals in 2025, although it was Brecel who ended his run on that event.
He made clear he retains appreciable affection for Venue Cymru in Llandudno regardless of his reservations about it being the proper location for this explicit event. “It’s a nice venue, I like taking part in there and there ought to positively be an occasion there, an enormous occasion, I simply do not suppose it needs to be the Welsh Open,” he added.
The 2025 version was claimed by Mark Selby, who defeated Stephen Maguire of Scotland within the remaining. Selby’s title defence commences in opposition to China’s Jiang Jun, while Maguire faces Ricky Walden in his opener.
Final yr’s finalists might doubtlessly meet within the spherical of 16 ought to they every progress via their opening fixtures. For Web page, victory over Brecel might see him paired with one other former world champion in spherical two within the form of Shaun Murphy, who additionally received the Welsh Open title in 2020.
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