Higgins has also won the World Championship three times

World champion John Higgins will begin the defence of his Grand Prix title against qualifier Mark Joyce when the event begins in Glasgow on 3 October.

Joyce is through to the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time after battling through the qualifying rounds at Pontin's in Prestatyn.

Ronnie O'Sullivan plays Glaswegian Jamie Burnett and Stephen Hendry takes on Londoner Matthew Selt.

Higgins beat Ryan Day 9-7 to win the event for the fourth time last year.

Grand Prix first round draw:

J Higgins v M Joyce
M Fu v M Davis
M Selby v K Doherty
J Perry v M Campbell
A Carter v R Milkins
D Junhui v M Stevens
R Day v J Cope
N Robertson v G Greene
S Hendry v M Selt
P Ebdon v Liang Wenbo
S Murphy v B Pinches
M Allen v I McCulloch
R O'Sullivan v J Burnett
M Williams v S Bingham
S Maguire v N Bond
M King v R Walden

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