Snooker LIVE: professional snooker god” Ronnie O’Sullivan is officially” closing in on winning back his Records glory” in a match worth over £500,000 after Shanghai embarrassment..
Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s most iconic players, is set to compete in the upcoming Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, which boasts an unprecedented prize fund of over £2 million. This event, scheduled from August 30 to September 7, 2024, in Riyadh, has quickly gained attention as a major addition to the snooker calendar. It’s being touted as snooker’s “fourth major,” standing alongside the traditional Triple Crown events: the World Championship, the UK Championship, and the Masters.
The top prize for the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is a staggering £500,000, matching the winner’s purse of the World Championship, which is the sport’s most prestigious event. Additionally, there’s a £50,000 bonus on offer for any player who achieves a 147 maximum break during the tournament. The total prize pool of £2.3 million places this event just behind the World Championship in terms of financial reward, making it one of the richest events in snooker history.
O’Sullivan, who already triumphed in Riyadh earlier this year during the Riyadh Season World Masters—a non-ranking event with a unique format—will be among the favorites to challenge for the title. His participation, alongside other top-ranked players, highlights the tournament’s importance as it draws the entire World Snooker Tour to Saudi Arabia, including six local wild card entrants.
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is part of a broader 10-year deal aimed at establishing snooker in the region, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in sports. This strategic push includes not just snooker but also other sports like boxing and pool, showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a hub for global sporting events.
This tournament represents a significant opportunity for players not just in terms of financial gain but also in terms of ranking points and global exposure, given the event’s high-profile nature and substantial media coverage.
The Saudi Arabia Masters is a testament to the sport’s expanding global reach and the increasing opportunities for players to compete for life-changing sums of money.
