Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has experienced a costly practice miss, failing to pot a revolutionary golden ball that carries a staggering £760,000 bonus at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.
The Golden Ball Challenge
The tournament introduces an innovative twist where an extra golden ball remains on the table whenever a player is on course for a maximum 147 break. Should a competitor achieve the perfect frame, they earn the opportunity to pot this special ball for an additional 20 points, creating snooker's first-ever 167 break.
The financial incentive is enormous, with the successful player claiming a £760,000 ($1 million) bonus – more than triple the £250,000 prize awarded to the tournament winner itself.
Practice Session Reveals Difficulty
During a practice session captured on video by the World Snooker Tour, O'Sullivan became the first of nine players to attempt the golden ball pot after sinking the black. Unfortunately for 'The Rocket', his shot rebounded off the cushion, leaving the lucrative prize untouched.
O'Sullivan wasn't alone in his struggle. Several other top players including Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Shaun Murphy and Ding Junhui also failed to convert their golden ball opportunities during the practice demonstration.
However, some competitors showed greater precision. Mark Williams, Mark Allen and John Higgins all successfully potted the golden ball, while Kyren Wilson displayed remarkable confidence by sinking his attempt without even looking at the target.
O'Sullivan's Championship Ambitions
The 49-year-old snooker icon begins his campaign on Wednesday evening against either Masters champion Shaun Murphy or Saudi Arabian wildcard Ziyad Alqabbani. O'Sullivan previously triumphed in the inaugural tournament in March 2024, defeating Luca Brecel in the final.
Despite his previous victory, O'Sullivan has made his priorities clear ahead of this year's competition. "I'd rather get the big break," O'Sullivan stated. "I won the tournament before and it's great to win the tournament, but to get the 167 I think that'd be amazing."
The snooker legend expressed skepticism about anyone actually achieving the feat, noting: "I don't think anyone will do it, if that's my personal opinion. I'd be happy to be wrong."
Mark Allen returns as defending champion after defeating Brecel in last December's final. The three-day competition features the world's top 10 players alongside two Saudi Arabian wildcards, with both semi-finals and the final scheduled for Friday, November 21.
