O'Sullivan lost eight frames in a row to Dott in Sheffield

'The Rocket' failed to lift off in the semi-finals of snooker's World Championship, losing to Graeme Dott, who went on to win the Crucible crown. Essex ace O'Sullivan, down to three in the world rankings after Sheffield, will be appearing in the Dutch event for the first time since 1998.

On that occasion he lost in the last eight to American ace Earl Strickland.

O'Sullivan has stated his intention to play more pool between snooker events and is one of the stars heading for America in July to compete on the lucrative International Pool Tour.

Fellow snooker pro Tony Drago of Malta won the 2003 Masters and is in the starting line-up for the 2006 tournament taking place from 16-18 June in Egmond aan Zee.