Ronnie O’Sullivan faced a missed opportunity to pocket the special golden ball in his pre-tournament practice for the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Known as ‘The Rocket,’ O’Sullivan aims to avoid a similar mishap as he eyes a second title win.
The championship has introduced a unique golden ball, valued at an extra 20 points, that remains on the table as long as a player can achieve a 147 break. Successfully hitting a maximum break allows the player a chance to pocket the high-value golden ball, potentially setting a record-breaking 167 break.
The player achieving this feat stands to earn a remarkable bonus of £760,000 ($1 million), significantly more than the £250,000 prize for the tournament winner. O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the challenge 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 his shot rebounded off the cushion.
Fortunately, O’Sullivan was not alone in missing the target. Other players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be hoping for better luck should they get the opportunity during their matches.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins are looking to capitalize on their practice successes with the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even showcased his confidence with a no-look pot.
O’Sullivan’s campaign kicks off on Wednesday against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani in the opening round. The 49-year-old previously triumphed in the inaugural tournament in March 2024, defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While O’Sullivan aims for another title in Riyadh, his ultimate goal is to achieve the first 167 break.
Expressing his aspirations before the competition, O’Sullivan emphasized his desire for the significant break, stating that the golden ball presents the true challenge. The defending champion, Mark Allen, is back after his victory against Brecel in last December’s final. The championship features the world’s top 10 players and two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The competition spans three days, with the semi-finals and final set for Friday, November 21.