Ronnie O'Sullivan hopes for 'hefty prize' as snooker star aims to make more history after World Grand Prix

Ronnie O'Sullivan hopes for 'hefty prize' as snooker star aims to make more history after World Grand Prix

WATCH NOW: Ronnie O'Sullivan lifts an eighth Masters title

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 22/01/2024

- 20:30

The 48-year-old will compete in a new tournament in March

Ronnie O'Sullivan is hoping for a 'hefty prize' if he becomes the first snooker player to hit a 167 break.

A new tournament in Saudi Arabia will give participants the chance to make history.


The World Snooker Tour announced last week that the sport will be heading to Saudi Arabia in March.

O'Sullivan will be one of 10 players taking part in the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan will play in the new tournament in Saudi Arabia

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Judd Trump and reigning world champion Luca Brecel will also be in attendance, with the other seven still to be confirmed.

The tournament will largely be played under World Snooker rules.

However, there will be an additional golden ball on the table that can only be potted if all other balls have been cleared and players have hit a 147 break.

The golden ball will be worth 20 points, therefore giving the chance of a historic 167 break.

O'Sullivan has previously appeared to deliberately refuse to complete a 147 break on more than one occasion in his career.

The Rocket has not been happy with the prize money on offer to players for hitting a maximum break.

But he is expecting a large sum if he or any of his rivals hit a 167 in March.

O'Sullivan told WST: "What’s the prize for a 167, have they announced it?

"I’m sure it’ll be a hefty prize.

"Listen, the Saudis can do what they like – they’re a powerful outfit.

"I think it’ll be good, it’d be great to get out there and play, every other sport seems to be doing stuff in Saudi so it’d be great to get out there."

Eddie Hearn revealed last week that the prize pot for the event will be around £788,000.

Trump, who lost to O'Sullivan in Sunday's World Grand Prix final, is excited to head to the Middle East.

He said: "It’s completely different.

"They’re trying something different, and hopefully all the players can get behind that.

"I think every player wants to be the first to do something, so it’ll be a great achievement if I can do it."

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has won three tournaments since September

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Steve Dawson, the chairman of the WST, believes the tournament is a big step for snooker.

He said: "It is a great privilege for the World Snooker Tour to work in partnership with HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh to stage an event in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

"This is a huge breakthrough for snooker into a new territory, and we see this as the beginning of a new adventure for our sport in the region.

"We are looking forward to being a part of Riyadh Season on this fantastic new event featuring the world’s best players.

"We will be honored to bring our sport to the amazing city of Riyadh, and for the local fans this will be their first chance to see some of snooker’s all-time greats."

Judd Trump

Judd Trump will also be heading to Saudi Arabia

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Saudi advisor Alalshikh is delighted to welcome snooker to the country.

He added: "We are thrilled to be hosting our first-ever professional snooker tournament in the Kingdom.

"Snooker is watched and played by millions around the world and we look forward to welcoming some of the greatest players and snooker fans to our country and showing them what Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season has to offer."

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