NI Trophy seedings

[The Statman]

Will Matthew Stevens be seeded no.1 for this event, as defending champion, even though it was a non-ranker last year so technically a new event?

And if not, or for any new tournament, would the defending World Champion be no.1 seed?

[elvaago]

You know what's sad? I actually had to think for a moment, 'Who is the world champion again? Murphy? Oh no wait, someone else, err..." and then I realised it was Dott. The heat is getting to me something awful.