Ronnie O’Sullivan had a missed opportunity to pocket the exclusive golden ball while practicing for the upcoming Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. As he aims to secure the title for the second time, he will be looking to avoid a similar mistake during the tournament.
The championship has introduced a special golden ball, valued at an extra 20 points, which remains on the table as long as a player can achieve a 147 break. If a player successfully completes a maximum break, they are given the chance to pocket the lucrative golden ball for a groundbreaking 167 break.
The stakes are high for the player who accomplishes this feat, as they stand to earn a remarkable £760,000 ($1 million) bonus, surpassing the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament winner. Despite the challenge, O’Sullivan’s practice session highlighted the difficulty of potting the golden ball.
In a video shared by the World Snooker Tour on social media, nine out of the twelve competitors were seen potting a black ball before attempting the golden ball. O’Sullivan was the first to take the shot but unfortunately saw his attempt bounce off the cushion.
Fortunately for O’Sullivan, he wasn’t alone in missing the mark. Other players like Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui will also be hoping for better luck if they get the opportunity during their matches.
On the contrary, players like Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and John Higgins are eager for their practice sessions to pay off after successfully potting the golden ball. Kyren Wilson even showcased his confidence with a no-look shot.
O’Sullivan will kick off his campaign against either Shaun Murphy or Ziyad Alqabbani on Wednesday evening. The 49-year-old previously triumphed in the inaugural tournament in March 2024 by defeating Luca Brecel in the final. While O’Sullivan aims for another title in Riyadh, his ultimate goal is to achieve the first-ever 167 break in snooker history.
Defending champion Mark Allen will also return to the competition after claiming victory in last December’s final against Brecel. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship features the top 10 players in the world alongside two Saudi Arabian wildcards.
The tournament spans three days, with the semi-finals and final set to take place on Friday, November 21.