Ronnie O’Sullivan recently attempted to pocket the unique golden ball during a pre-tournament practice for the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Looking to secure his second title, ‘The Rocket’ aims to avoid any missed opportunities during the actual competition.
The championship has added a special golden ball that carries an extra 20 points and remains on the table as long as a player can achieve a maximum 147 break. If a player successfully completes a 147 break, they have the chance to pot the valuable golden ball for a groundbreaking 167 break.
The reward for achieving this feat is a remarkable £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, significantly higher than the £250,000 prize for the tournament winner. Despite O’Sullivan’s practice mishap with the golden ball, the stakes remain high for all players.
In a shared video clip by the World Snooker Tour, O’Sullivan and several other competitors were seen attempting to pocket the golden ball after potting a black on the practice table. O’Sullivan’s shot unfortunately rebounded off the cushion, but he wasn’t the only one to miss the mark.
Other players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui are also hoping for better luck with the golden ball in their upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins had successful attempts during practice, with Kyren Wilson even showcasing his confidence with a no-look pot.
O’Sullivan is set to start his campaign against the winner of the match between Masters champion Murphy and Saudi Arabian player Ziyad Alqabbani on Wednesday evening. The 49-year-old previously won the inaugural tournament in March 2024, defeating Luca Brecel in the final, but now he has his sights set on achieving the elusive 167 break.
Expressing his aspirations before the competition, O’Sullivan emphasized his desire for the record-breaking break, stating that while winning the tournament is great, achieving a 167 break would be an incredible accomplishment. The championship, featuring the top 10 players in the world alongside two Saudi Arabian wildcards, will conclude with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Friday, November 21.