Ronnie O’Sullivan had a missed opportunity to pocket the exclusive golden ball during a warm-up session before the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. ‘The Rocket’ is aiming to secure the championship title for the second time without a repeat of the error.
The tournament introduces a special golden ball, valued at an additional 20 points, which remains on the table as long as a player is on track for a 147 break. If a player achieves a perfect break, they earn the chance to pocket the high-value golden ball for a groundbreaking 167 break.
The stakes are significant as the player who accomplishes this feat stands to gain a substantial £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, exceeding three times the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament victor. However, O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the difficulty of pocketing the golden ball.
In a video circulated by the World Snooker Tour on social media, nine out of the 12 tournament participants were shown potting a black ball on the practice table before attempting the golden ball. O’Sullivan was the first to try but his shot ricocheted off the cushion.
Fortunately for O’Sullivan, he was not the only one to miss the mark. Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be looking for better luck if they get another shot at it during their matches.
Conversely, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins will be eager for their practice efforts to pay off after successfully pocketing the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even showcased his confidence with a no-look shot.
O’Sullivan begins his campaign on Wednesday night against either Masters champion Murphy or Saudi Arabian teenager Ziyad Alqabbani, who face off in the opening round.
The 49-year-old emerged victorious in the inaugural tournament in March 2024, defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While O’Sullivan aims for another title in Riyadh, the snooker icon has expressed his desire to be the first player to achieve a 167 break.
Ahead of the competition, O’Sullivan remarked, “I’d prefer to achieve the big break. Winning the tournament is great, but hitting the 167 would be amazing. It would be an incredible accomplishment if anyone could do it.”
He added, “Someone mentioned there have been 14 147s this year, which is quite a lot. But to pocket that golden ball, that’s the real challenge.”
“I don’t think anyone will accomplish it, that’s just my personal opinion. I’d be happy to be proven wrong.”
Mark Allen returns as the defending champion after defeating Brecel in last December’s final. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship showcases the world’s top 10 players alongside two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The competition spans three days, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Friday, November 21.