China Open Snooker 2020 postponed due to coronavirus
Liang Wenbo conducts a press conference at the 2019 China Open (Photo by Imaginechina/SIPA USA/PA Images)
The 2020 China Open has been postponed amid fears around the coronavirus outbreak.
The prestigious major was due to take place in Beijing from March 30 to April 5 and is traditionally the final ranking event before the World Championship.
However, the decision has been made to call off the competition two months early following the coronavirus outbreak which has killed more than 200 people in China.
There have been around 100 further cases in another 18 countries, including two in the UK.
A new date for the China Open is yet to be set, though the season may have to be extended or the tournament integrated into the start of the next campaign.
A World Snooker Tour statement read: ‘Discussions with our partners in terms of staging this event at a later date are ongoing.
“In the meantime, our thoughts are with all of our many friends across China and in particular those affected by the coronavirus.’
The China Open has been an annual fixture on the snooker calendar since 1999 and saw Neil Robertson claim the title last year with victory over Jack Lisowski in the final.
There will now be a three-week break between the Tour Championship and the start of the World Championship at The Crucible on April 18.