WORLD snooker number 20, Rod Lawler, from Liverpool, was forced to pull out of his first-round match in the £300,000 British Open in Plymouth last night for personal reasons.
The 25-year-old was due to meet Nick Walker of Chester but his opponent received a walkover to the last 32.
Preston's Ian McCulloch reached the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time with a 5-2 victory over Stephen Lee. World number 105 McCulloch trailed 2-1 but then snatched the fourth frame with a 41 clearance.
He then grew in confidence, rattling through the following three frames with breaks of 62, 103 and 60 to record a surprise 5-2 victory.
The defeat was a major blow to former English amateur champion Lee, from Trowbridge, who badly needed a win to improve his chances of securing a place among the game's elite top 16 next season.
McCulloch, practice partner of Dennis Taylor, now meets Welshman Wayne Jones or 15th seed Tony Drago of Malta.
Mark King, enjoying by far his most successful campaign since turning professional in 1991, gained an early birthday present when reaching the second round at the expense of Worcester's Dave Finbow.
King, who is 23 tomorrow, fired in breaks of 70, 53, 46 and 43 as he booked a meeting with Tony Jones or Alan McManus in the last 32.
