SNOOKER star Ross Muir is determined to hit the ground running as he prepares for a busy season at the sport’s top table.

The Musselburgh potter begins his campaign at the Championship League in Leicester tomorrow (Tuesday).

The competition is broken down into 32 groups of four players, who each face off against each other.

The player topping their group then goes through to the next round, where another round-robin group is played.

Muir, who is in a group with China’s Wu Yize and English duo Joshua Cooper and Allan Taylor, revealed that he had kept himself busy since losing out in qualifying for the World Championship in April.

Speaking last Tuesday, he said: “I am very much looking forward to it.

“I have got some fresh ideas, ways to practice and sharpen myself up for the season ahead that I have been pursuing for the last three weeks.

“I am feeling pretty good and excited to see what results this brings.

“My practice form has been very good and I am a lot sharper than at the start of last season.

“I have taken on board things I felt I could improve on and started back much earlier in the season than I normally do.”

Muir, who attended Musselburgh Grammar School, is effectively the second seed in his group.

He will open up against Taylor, who he has met twice, with the most recent meeting in 2021, when Muir won 3-1 at the British Open.

A first ever meeting with 27-year-old amateur Cooper will follow before what could be a vital clash with Yize. Muir has held the upper hand in the previous five meetings between the players, winning each of them.

He was looking forward to the new season getting under way and promised his rivals he would be ready.

He told Courier Sport: “At the start of the season, there is no way of knowing how much effort other guys have put in.

“They can be assured I have been grafting, trying everything, and I know my game is a lot stronger at the start of this season compared to last year.

“Generally, you play certain players that suit your approach or style.

“Yu Wize I have played many, many times – amateur world championship qualifiers, Q School, and three or four matches on the professional tour – and we have had a few last-frame deciders.

“During these games, I think I have got a 5-0 winning ratio against him.

“That is probably something that does make a difference because it is a lot of games and obviously I am doing something right when playing him.”

Last year’s tournament was won by 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy. He came through his group phase with just two frames dropped over the three matches before going on to defeat James Cahill and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and drawing with David Gilbert.

The unusual format sees players contest a maximum of four frames, meaning the spoils can be shared in the group phase.

Muir added: “It is a very interesting format.

“You can have a draw as well so it is a bit like a football competition where you get three points for a win and a point for a draw.

“It is a very unique format. It is a good event to get sharpened up.

“There are three matches in one day and then you qualify and get the same a week later. It is a great event to start the season and one I have put a lot more priority on than in previous years.”