Ronnie O'Sullivan missed the chance to pot the unique golden ball during a practice session ahead of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. The seven-time world champion will be hoping to avoid a repeat when the tournament gets underway, as he targets the lucrative £760,000 bonus on offer for a record-breaking 167 break.
The event introduces an additional golden ball worth 20 points, which remains on the table only while a 147 break is still possible. If a player achieves a maximum, they then have the opportunity to pot the golden ball for a 167 break and a $1 million (£760,000) prize — more than triple the £250,000 awarded to the tournament winner.
In a video clip shared by the World Snooker Tour, nine of the 12 competitors were filmed potting a black ball in practice before attempting the golden ball. O'Sullivan stepped up first but saw his shot rebound off the cushion. Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy and Ding Junhui also missed, while Mark Williams, Mark Allen and John Higgins successfully potted it. Kyren Wilson went one better, sinking the ball with a no-look shot.
O'Sullivan begins his campaign on Wednesday evening against either Masters champion Murphy or Saudi wildcard Ziyad Alqabbani. The 49-year-old won the inaugural tournament in March 2024 but has admitted he would rather be the first to achieve a 167 break than retain his title. 'I'd rather get the big break. Winning the tournament is great, but to get the 167 would be amazing,' he said. 'Someone said there have been 14 147s this year. That's a hell of a lot. But to get that golden ball, that's the true test. I don't think anyone will do it, if that's my personal opinion. I'd be happy to be wrong.'
Defending champion Mark Allen, who defeated Luca Brecel in last December's final, returns to action. The tournament features the world's top 10 players plus two Saudi wildcards, running over three days with both semi-finals and the final scheduled for Friday, 21 November.
