Ronnie O’Sullivan, the legendary snooker player, has set his sights on achieving a unique 167 break. However, there’s a catch – he wants to know the prize money before attempting it. O’Sullivan will be the star attraction at the controversial Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker in March.
To generate more interest in the event, organizers have introduced a crass 20-point ‘Gold Ball’ rule for players who achieve a maximum 147 break. While this change to the rules has upset traditionalists, O’Sullivan is more concerned about the financial incentive for achieving such a high break.
Curious about the prize money, O’Sullivan mused, “What’s the prize for a 167? Have they announced it? I’m sure that it will be a hefty prize.” He also acknowledged the power of the organizers, saying, “The Saudis can just do what they like. They are a powerful outfit.”
Before the tournament, O’Sullivan will have a well-deserved break after a busy schedule since November. Today, he heads to Barnsley after winning the World Grand Prix last Sunday. In a qualifier, he will face Alfie Burden, the world No. 98. The winner of this match will secure a spot in the World Open first round in Yushan, China, in March.
Looking ahead, O’Sullivan’s main focus is the World Championship, which will start in April at the Crucible. His recent form has been outstanding, with no defeats since November 11. Regardless of any deflection tactics he may employ, O’Sullivan is the clear favorite for the tournament. His dominant performance in the semi-final against Ding Junhui showcased that, even at 48, he remains the best in the game.
Reflecting on his victory against Ding, O’Sullivan remarked, “That was just a one-off. Everyone was getting excited about it. I said to my mate, ‘Out of 700 days, I’ve probably done one or two good performances.’ It’s nice to know it is still in there. I sometimes wonder why I don’t do that more often, but I still haven’t changed my stance.”
O’Sullivan acknowledges that his game lacks consistency, which prevents him from fully enjoying it. He described his current performance as “a bit untidy” and mentioned the challenge of playing in Sheffield where matches against the same opponent can last for several sessions. Despite these challenges, O’Sullivan believes that finding some steadiness will give him a real chance to win in Sheffield.
As a powerhouse in snooker, O’Sullivan’s participation in the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker promises to be an exciting event. Fans eagerly await his attempt at a record-breaking 167 break, and only time will tell if his skill and determination will prevail.
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