Ronnie O’Sullivan Eyes £600k Windfall and Historic 167 Break in Saudi Arabia and Masters Battles

Ronnie O’Sullivan is gearing up for two major invitational events, starting with the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in Saudi Arabia next week, followed by his quest for a record-extending ninth Masters title in London in January. The seven-time world champion recently withdrew from his scheduled first-round match against Xing Zihao at the Scottish Open in Edinburgh, marking the second consecutive year he has opted out of the Home Nations event.

The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, featuring the world’s top 10 players, promises high stakes, with a £250,000 first prize up for grabs. O’Sullivan is seeded to face either Shaun Murphy or Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals of the three-day tournament, which begins on December 19 and will be broadcast live on Eurosport and discovery+.

In the semi-finals, he could encounter Mark Selby or Mark Allen, with a potential showdown in the final awaiting him against rivals like Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, or Mark Williams. Matches will follow a best-of-seven format, except for the final, which is best-of-nine frames.

This event comes shortly after O’Sullivan’s inaugural Riyadh triumph in March, where he defeated Luca Brecel 5-2. Success in Saudi Arabia could set the stage for an even bigger challenge at the Masters, starting January 12, where O’Sullivan will face John Higgins in a highly anticipated rematch of their iconic 2006 final.

Adding to the excitement, a groundbreaking $1 million (£788,291) jackpot awaits any player who achieves the elusive 167 break—a feat requiring a golden ball pot after a traditional 147. O’Sullivan, with his legendary precision and flair, remains a strong contender for this historic prize. Winning both events could see him pocket a staggering £600,000, cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.