Malta’s Tony Drago will be facing Mosconi Cup team-mate Niels Feijen of Holland in the first round of the forthcoming World Masters tournament to be staged at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, USA, from 9 to 11 May.

The draws for the most prestigious tournament in the annual pool calendar have just been made and it is the first time that the event is being staged in the US. Sixteen players will be competing for the $62,000 prize fund.

If Drago beats Feijen, he will be facing Ralf Souquet of Germany or 18-year old world junior champion Ko Pin-yi (China Taipei) for a place in the semi-finals.

England’s Daryl Peach, current world champion, will be facing 2001 world champion Mika Immonen of Finland.

According to Barry Hearn, chairman of the event promoters Matchroom Sport, said there will be four World 9-ball champions, six US Open champions and a host of other title holders in the field of 16 thus making this year’s event one of the toughest ever. “It will take a series of fantastic performances over the three days to lift this prestigious trophy,” he said.