Ronnie O’Sullivan and 20 other snooker stars changed their name like Robertson
Neil Robertson dubbed receiving the Order of Australia Award (OAM) for services to snooker as the “proudest moment” of his career.
This means that Robertson can now use the initials OAM after his name, but he’s not the only snooker star who has opted for a name change after being awarded an honour.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is among a list of 21 snooker stars to have received honours and changed their names.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) from the then Prince Charles, the new King, at Windsor Castle in May 2016.
Commenting on the award, he said at the time: “I am extremely grateful for this recognition which is a great honour and has made both myself and my family very proud.”
An OBE is the second-highest Order of the British Empire ranking (excluding knighthoods/damehoods), with brothers Joe and Fred Davis having both received OBEs from Queen Elizabeth II.
Much-loved World Billiards champion Walter Lindrum received the same recognition (as well as an earlier MBE), while Steve Davis, who won six World Snooker Championship titles also boasts an OBE.
Another former world champion Terry Griffiths picked up an OBE in 2007, whereas Barry Hearn, who isn’t technically a snooker player, was given the honour in 2021 for his overall services to sport.
Most notable is perhaps Stephen Hendry, who alongside O’Sullivan and Davis is considered one of the sport’s greatest-ever players.
A winner of seven World Championship titles, Hendry was awarded his MBE all the way back in 1994.
As for players currently still playing, John Higgins, Mark Selby and Judd Trump all have MBE after their name.
Speaking of his shock, Trump said in 2022: “To be awarded an MBE is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family. It was a huge surprise.”
Two women also make the list, with Reanne Evans and Vera Selby having both been recognised for their services to the sport.
Selby won several world titles in both snooker and billiards, with Evans the current women’s world No.1.
Other snooker aces with MBEs are: Clark McConachy MBE (1964), Ray Reardon MBE (1985), Steve Davis MBE (1988), John Parrott MBE (1996), Ted Lowe MBE (1996), Jimmy White MBE (1999), Mark Williams MBE (2004), Clive Everton MBE (2019).
