Ronnie O’Sullivan had a missed opportunity to pocket the special golden ball while practicing for the upcoming Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Known as ‘The Rocket,’ he aims to avoid a similar mistake during the competition as he eyes his second championship victory.
The tournament has introduced a unique golden ball worth an additional 20 points that remains on the table as long as a player can achieve a 147 break. If a maximum break is accomplished, the player gets the chance to pot the valuable golden ball for an unprecedented 167 break.
The stakes are high, with the player achieving this remarkable feat set to earn an astonishing £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, which is more than triple the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament winner. However, O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the difficulty of potting the golden ball.
In a video shared on social media by the World Snooker Tour, nine out of the 12 competitors in the tournament were seen potting a black ball before attempting the golden ball. O’Sullivan was the first to try but saw his shot bounce off the cushion.
Fortunately for O’Sullivan, he was not alone in missing the mark. Players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be hoping for better luck if they get another chance during their matches.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins are eager for their practice efforts to pay off after successfully potting the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even displayed his confidence by making a no-look pot.
O’Sullivan will begin his campaign on Wednesday evening against either Shaun Murphy or Saudi Arabian player Ziyad Alqabbani. The 49-year-old previously won the inaugural tournament in March 2024 by defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While O’Sullivan aims for another title in Riyadh, he expressed his desire to be the first to achieve a 167 break.
In a pre-competition statement, O’Sullivan mentioned his preference for the big break, emphasizing the challenge of getting the golden ball. He also shared doubts about anyone achieving it but expressed a willingness to be proven wrong.
Defending champion Mark Allen, who defeated Brecel in last December’s final, returns to the tournament. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship includes the top 10 players globally and two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The competition spans three days, with the semi-finals and final set for Friday, November 21.