UK Championship 2024: Stephen Maguire upset at ‘garbage’ whitewash defeat as Jimmy White delivers verdict on cue changes

Stephen Maguire crashed out of the UK Championship at the first hurdle, with world champion Kyren Wilson claiming a 6-0 win at the Barbican in York on Monday. Maguire was deeply frustrated with his performance, but told Eurosport he would continue to work at his game. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+.

Stephen Maguire described his performance in his whitewash defeat to Kyren Wilson at the UK Championship as "garbage", as Jimmy White urged the Scot to stop tinkering with his cue.

Maguire arrived at the Barbican in York with an excellent record in the event, having won it in 2004 and also reached the final on two more occasions, as well as making four other runs to the semi-finals.

But he departed under a cloud after losing 6-0, with his highest break being 32.

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"I have no words for that," Maguire told Eurosport. "Well, I do have a word, but I won’t say it. 

"It was nothing to do with the run of the balls. I was garbage. 

"One thing to be happy about, it was not the best of 19 as that would have been 10-0."

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Maguire has begun work with coach Chris Small, and will be back on the practice table in search of his best form.

"I have to keep trying," the world No. 33 said. "I am enjoying working with Chris Small.

"That match there I do not have a word for, but hopefully that is a one-off."

As well as enlisting the help of a new coach, Maguire has a new piece of wood in his hand - Dominic Dale said in the Eurosport commentary box that he had only put it into play around a fortnight ago.

The Scot has been renowned for tinkering with his equipment, but White said he needs to find a cue and stick with it.

‘In cricket that would have been a wide’ - Maguire flukes blue after wild miss

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It has not worked, with these cues being changed all the time," White said in the Eurosport studio. "When I was at my best, if someone had a new cue it took two or three months [to bed in].

"I know the cues are better now, but there is still the throw and the touch and feel. It takes a good couple of months to get used to that.

"So all this changing cue business, you might win the odd match, but you are not going to win a tournament with a new cue."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+

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