2016 World Snooker Open to kick off in SE China

The 2016 World Snooker Open will be held in late July in southeastern China's Yushan county, Jiangxi province, the organizers said here on Sunday.

The World Snooker Open, to be held from July 25th to 31st, will offer a total prize of 520,000 pounds. The winner will earn 90,000 pounds. Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and home favorite Ding Junhui are among the 72 players who have confirmed to take part in.

A total of 128 players will play the qualifications to fight for the 64 seats in the main draw.

The World Snooker Open was held at Haikou for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014. Yushan took over this year after hosting the Chinese Billiard World Championship in 2015 and 2016.

"Many players who participated in the Chinese Billiard World Championship told me how they love Yushan, the beautiful city, we are looking forward to returning to it again," said Jason Ferguson, president of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, at the press conference on Sunday.