Ronnie O’Sullivan failed to pocket the special golden ball in a warm-up session before the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Known as ‘The Rocket,’ O’Sullivan aims to avoid a similar miss as he eyes his second title win in the tournament.
The competition has introduced a unique golden ball valued at an additional 20 points, remaining on the table as long as a player has a chance for a 147 break. Achieving a maximum break gives the player the opportunity to pocket the high-value golden ball for a groundbreaking 167 break.
The stakes are high, with the player achieving this feat being eligible for a substantial £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, significantly more than the standard £250,000 prize for winning the tournament. O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the challenge of potting the golden ball.
During a video shared by the World Snooker Tour on social media, nine out of the twelve tournament participants were seen successfully potting a black ball before attempting the golden ball shot. O’Sullivan was the first to take his shot but saw it rebound off the cushion.
Fortunately, O’Sullivan was not alone in missing the shot. Other players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be looking for better luck if they get another chance during their matches.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins hope their practice will pay off after successfully potting the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even displayed his confidence with a no-look pot.
O’Sullivan’s campaign kicks off on Wednesday against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani. The 49-year-old secured victory in the inaugural tournament in March 2024 by defeating Luca Brecel in the final. Despite aiming for another title in Riyadh, O’Sullivan expressed his desire to achieve the first-ever 167 break.
In a pre-competition statement, O’Sullivan mentioned his preference for the significant break, stating his admiration for the achievement. The defending champion, Mark Allen, will be back after his victory in the previous final against Brecel. The championship includes the top 10 world players and two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The competition spans three days, with the semi-finals and final set for Friday, November 21.
