‘It’s a shame, he needs to take his time’ – Robertson opens up on replacing Ronnie O’Sullivan after Masters withdrawal

NEIL ROBERTSON aims to make the most of his Masters “free hit” – especially after his costly Christmas qualifying blunder.

Robbo, 42, has been parachuted into the first round – he faces Scottish potting legend John Higgins on Sunday afternoon – after the Rocket, 49, pulled out on medical grounds.

The Australian hopes the seven-time world champion, who has been struggling with his game, gets better and returns soon to the baize.

But like Denmark at Euro 92 or John Daly at the 1991 US PGA Championship, The Thunder from Down Under hopes he can achieve glory despite being a last-minute sub – and the carrot is a £350,000 winners’ cheque.

Robertson, the 2012 and 2022 Masters champion, told SunSport: “I guess it’s a free hit. I haven’t had to worry about the build-up to the tournament.

“It’s pretty short notice but in some ways that can be a good thing. It’s about enjoying the experience.

“It’s a shame from the tournament point of view that Ronnie isn’t there. Whenever Ronnie isn’t involved, it’s a shame.

“Ronnie always has so much expectation in every event he plays in. There’s always more people and media when he’s playing.

“He needs to take his time. There’s no rush to get back. He has been at the top for so long. Just be patient, let him come back when he wants to play.

“He won’t play for the sake of it – he’ll only play if he feels he can compete at the highest level.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

“Snooker isn’t a sport where your hamstring, back or neck tell you it’s time to retire in your 30s.

“To step in and take the spot, I’m delighted to be playing – I wish it was under different circumstances.

“I knew there was a possibility of somebody withdrawing. I was just waiting and ready anyway. Every now and then there is a withdrawal.”

Jokes “have started flying in” from pals reminding him of the time of his appearance as he has a habit of either driving to the wrong location or getting his dates mixed up.

Such a scenario happened on Saturday December 21 when he was due to face Michael Holt in a qualifier in Sheffield for the World Open but embarrassingly he did not turn up.

That mix up has cost him the chance to try and win the £175,000 tournament next month in the Chinese city of Yushan.

Robertson explained: “I was in 17th reserve spot for the Masters. But only because Holt beat Jak Jones 6-5 at the UK Championship. Had he won, Jak would have been 17th, not me.

“For the World Open qualifiers, I got my dates completely messed up with Christmas. I was a day out of synch.

“It was not until Saturday night that Joe Perry sent me a message, wishing me good luck for the qualifier.

“Why has Joe done that? I’m playing tomorrow. I am playing Sunday, aren’t I?

“I went on the World Snooker website and said, ‘Oh my God, I’m playing in like 27 minutes. I’m in Cambridge and the qualifier is in Sheffield!’

“I told officials: ‘I’m really sorry, I have got my dates completely messed up in my head.’

“I sent Michael Holt a text message just minutes after he found out I wasn’t coming. I said ‘Merry Christmas’ with a lot of funny emojis.

“I added: ‘Maybe it’s a sacrificial thing for the Snooker Gods and they will repay me somehow.’ He said: ‘They always do for you.’ And here we are.

“Now all of a sudden, I’m in the Masters. I think I owe him a nice case of wine!

“It’s nice to start the calendar year involved in this one. John Higgins is one of the best that has ever played snooker.

“I have played Ronnie at the Masters and Mark Williams but not John – so it will be a great occasion.”