Ronnie O'Sullivan was beaten by Simon Bedford as he returned to the snooker tour four months after winning the World Championship.
The 36-year-old said after his fourth Crucible triumph in May that he would be taking six months out of the sport, and then he initially refused to sign the contract players must return to World Snooker before being eligible to compete.
Appearance money was a factor behind O'Sullivan's delay, but talks with World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn eventually saw him sign.
Back in action on Saturday at the Players Tour Championship event at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, O'Sullivan led 2-0 and 3-2 but Bradford left-hander Bedford forced a deciding frame and took it with a fine break of 98 to claim a terrific 4-3 victory.
Update:
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