Ronnie O’Sullivan had an opportunity to pocket the special golden ball but missed it during a practice session before the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Known as ‘The Rocket,’ O’Sullivan aims to secure the championship title for the second time without repeating this error.
The tournament features a unique golden ball that adds 20 extra points and remains on the table as long as a player has a chance to achieve a maximum 147 break. If a player achieves this maximum break, they can then attempt to pocket the lucrative golden ball for a record-breaking 167 break.
The stakes are high as the player who accomplishes this feat stands to earn an impressive £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, significantly more than the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament winner. O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the challenge of potting the golden ball successfully.
In a video shared by the World Snooker Tour on social media, nine out of the 12 competitors were captured potting a black ball before taking a shot at the golden ball. O’Sullivan was the first to attempt 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 the opportunity arises during their matches.
On the other hand, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins aim to capitalize on their practice efforts after successfully potting the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even showcased his confidence with a no-look pot.
O’Sullivan is set to start his campaign on Wednesday evening against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani, the opening round opponents. The 49-year-old previously emerged victorious in the inaugural tournament in March 2024 by defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While O’Sullivan is determined to secure another title in Riyadh, his ultimate goal remains to be the first player to achieve a 167 break.
In a pre-competition statement, O’Sullivan expressed his preference for achieving the 167 break over winning the tournament, emphasizing the challenge and prestige of the golden ball achievement. Mark Allen returns as the defending champion after winning last December’s final against Brecel. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship features the world’s top 10 players alongside two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The competition spans three days, culminating in the semi-finals and final set for Friday, November 21.