Ronnie O’Sullivan had a missed opportunity to pocket the unique golden ball in a practice session prior to the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. As he aims to secure the title for the second time, he will be looking to avoid a repeat of this mishap during the tournament.
In a unique twist, the event has introduced a special golden ball, valued at an additional 20 points, which remains on the table as long as a player has the chance to make a 147 break. Achieving a maximum break allows the player the opportunity to pocket the high-value golden ball for a potential record-breaking 167 break.
The stakes are substantial as the player who accomplishes this remarkable feat stands to earn an impressive £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, surpassing the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament winner. Despite the challenge, O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the difficulty of pocketing the golden ball.
A video shared by the World Snooker Tour on social media captured nine out of the 12 competitors successfully potting a black ball before attempting the golden ball. O’Sullivan was the first to try but unfortunately saw his shot rebound off the cushion.
Fortunately, O’Sullivan was not alone in missing the mark. Other players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be hoping for better luck if they get another chance during their matches.
On the flip side, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins will be eager for their practice efforts to pay off after successfully potting the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even displayed his confidence by executing a no-look shot.
O’Sullivan will kick off his campaign against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani on Wednesday evening. The 49-year-old previously triumphed in the inaugural tournament in March 2024, defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While aiming for another title in Riyadh, O’Sullivan expressed his desire to be the first player to achieve a 167 break.
In the upcoming competition, Mark Allen will return as the defending champion, having claimed victory in last December’s final against Luca Brecel. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship features the top 10 players globally, along with two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The tournament spans three days, culminating in the semi-finals and final set for Friday, November 21.
