The Rocket was one of the headline acts in the summer event, but the seven-time world champion has changed his mind and won’t take his place in Group One on Monday alongside Scott Donaldson, Alfie Burden and Rod Lawler.
Instead, former Shoot Out champion Holt will fill the void and he is looking forward to the opportunity to play after missing out on a tour card at Q School.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk on Friday, the Hitman said: ‘I heard yesterday, I was filming for my YouTube channel with Stuart Bingham. Panic stations! I need to practice! No, I’m excited, it’s a good opportunity, so we’ll see how we go.
‘I’ve got coaching booked in but the next few days aren’t full on so I can get some practice in, I’ve had four hours this morning. It’s a free shot for me, I’m looking forward to it.
‘I’ve just got to play and pot balls. As the great Gary Wilkinson says: ‘Pot balls and you’ll be alright, duck.”
There is certainly a great opportunity for every player having a crack at the Championship League as O’Sullivan joins the likes of Mark Selby, Jack Lisowski, John Higgins, Mark Allen and Ding Junhui in not playing in the event.
Already through to the second group stage after winning their first groups are: Ashley Carty, Daniel Wells, Martin O’Donnell, Chris Wakelin, Kyren Wilson, Mark Williams, Michael White, Robbie Williams, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Barry Pinches, Ben Woollaston, Xiao Guodong, Anthony Hamilton, Matthew Stevens, Jak Jones, Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu and Zehuang Long.
The tournament is a bit of an epic, with the first group stage running until 14 July, the second group stage from 17-20 July and finals day on 21 July.
When we’ll next see the Rocket in action is not clear. It could be at the European Masters in Nurnberg, starting on 22 August, although he doesn’t often play in European events, meaning it could be the Shanghai Masters from 11-17 September.
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