Mark Allen in race against time to compete at English Open as snow cancels flight

Adverse weather conditions across the United Kingdom may force snooker star Mark Allen to miss the English Open after his flight was cancelled.

'The Pistol' took to social media on Sunday evening to confirm he was "in a race against time" to make it to the Brentwood Centre in Essex before Monday's deadline. Allen, 36, is scheduled to face Mitchell Mann at 7 p.m. local time, but it remains uncertain as to whether the veteran will beat the clock.

There is hope for the Northern Irishman, however, after he managed to board a plane in the wee hours of Monday morning. The consolation flight landed him a little wayward of his destination in south England, however, meaning a "long drive" in icy conditions stands between him and Essex.

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"Progress!! Now in England but quite a bit further north than I’d waned (sic)," tweeted the UK Championship-winner. "Long drive now to try make it to Brentwood."

Numerous fans warned Allen to be absolutely sure of his destination as one told him not to aim for "Brentford instead of Brentwood." Australian snooker star Neil Robertson infamously forfeited a World Open qualifier in 2019 after travelling to the wrong Barnsley (in Gloucestershire rather than Yorkshire).

Former Welsh amateur champion Andrew Pagett also cautioned his fellow snooker pro given the conditions. "The weather in Brentwood is so bad mate," Pagett—who faces Robertson in the first round—replied via Twitter, adding there were "cars sliding everywhere, stuck on hills etc. . ."

Mark Allen will cut it close if he's to feature at the English Open after snow delayed his flight from Northern Ireland (PA)

Allen has attempted to contest all six editions of the English Open to date. However, the Belfast-born star failed to make it out of the qualifying draw in 2021 following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium's Luca Brecel.

The Pistol is targeting more silverware to round out 2022 having won the Northern Ireland Open and UK Championship in October and November, respectively. The winner of the English Open will be awarded an £80,000 cash prize, up £10,000 from the previous year.

Allen may not be the only hopeful participant whose travel plans for the English Open have been upset by the snow. However, fans will be hopeful of seeing a full 80-player contingent line up for the final major of 2022.