Snooker sensation Ronnie O’Sullivan faced a setback in a recent practice session leading up to the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. O’Sullivan, also known as ‘The Rocket,’ missed the opportunity to pocket the special golden ball, a key feature of the upcoming tournament. This unique ball carries an additional 20 points and remains on the table as long as a player has a chance to achieve a maximum 147 break. Successfully potting the golden ball could result in a groundbreaking 167 break, earning the player a staggering £760,000 bonus, far surpassing the standard £250,000 prize for the tournament winner.
During the practice session, a video shared by the World Snooker Tour captured nine out of the 12 competitors attempting to pot the golden ball after potting the black ball. O’Sullivan was the first to take a shot but unfortunately saw his attempt ricochet off the cushion. However, he was not alone in missing the mark, as other top players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui also struggled to pocket the golden ball.
On the contrary, players like Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins had success in potting the golden ball during their practice sessions. Kyren Wilson even showcased his confidence with a no-look shot. O’Sullivan is set to kick off his campaign in the tournament against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani.
O’Sullivan, who clinched victory in the inaugural tournament in March 2024, expressed his ambition to achieve a 167 break, a feat yet to be accomplished in snooker history. He emphasized the allure of the golden ball challenge, stating that while winning the tournament is prestigious, achieving the 167 break would be an extraordinary milestone. The competition features the top 10 players globally, along with two Saudi Arabian wildcards, and culminates in the semi-finals and final on Friday, November 21.
