Ronnie O’Sullivan Sets Sights on $1 Million Gold Ball 167 Break, Preferring It Over Tournament Win
In a bold statement that has sent shockwaves through the snooker world, Ronnie O’Sullivan, the sport’s most decorated player, has revealed that he would rather pocket $1 million for completing a 167 break than win the prestigious Riyadh Season Snooker Championship itself. The iconic seven-time World Champion, known as “The Rocket,” expressed that the 167 break—a combination of a perfect 147 maximum break followed immediately by a 20-point golden ball—represents a true test of skill and mental fortitude, making it the ultimate prize in his eyes.
The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, which has introduced the high-stakes 167 challenge in 2024, offers a mind-blowing $1 million reward for any player able to complete this feat. Unlike previous tournaments where only the first player to achieve it would be rewarded, this year’s event promises that all players who manage the 167 break will claim the seven-figure sum. With the prize money for winning the tournament itself set at a more modest £250,000, it’s no surprise that many of the world’s top players, including O’Sullivan, are rethinking their approach to the competition.
In a candid interview, O’Sullivan explained, “I’ve won the tournament before, and it’s fantastic, but the 167 break? I think that would be amazing. It’s not just about the money; it’s about achieving something truly special. The mental and physical challenge of pulling off a perfect 147 followed by the golden ball is a unique test that’s hard to compare to anything else in snooker.”
John Higgins, another snooker legend, echoed O’Sullivan’s sentiments, describing the $1 million prize for the 167 break as “a crazy sum of money for 10 minutes’ work.” He noted that winning three tournaments combined would still not match the financial reward for pulling off the historic 167 break.
However, O’Sullivan tempered his optimism about the likelihood of anyone achieving the 167 this week, offering a realistic yet hopeful perspective: “I don’t think anyone will do it. That’s just my opinion, but I’d be happy to be proven wrong. If someone did it, it would be an incredible achievement.”
Despite O’Sullivan’s doubts, others, like Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy, remain confident that the elusive 167 break could be made this week. Murphy, in particular, has focused his training on mastering the golden ball, with the belief that the $1 million challenge is now “the next step for snooker.”
As the tournament heats up, all eyes will be on whether any player can etch their name into snooker history by completing the elusive 167 break, a feat that not only promises the richest payday in the sport’s history but also a place in snooker folklore. For O’Sullivan, however, it’s about more than just the money—it’s about the opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the game he’s revolutionized.
