Ronnie O'Sullivan left stunned as he's stopped by Ally Pally security at Masters

09 January 2024 , 11:55

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Ronnie O'Sullivan was in danger of missing his Masters clash with Ding Junhui (Image: 2024 Getty Images)

Ronnie O'Sullivan was temporarily stopped from entering the Alexandra Palace on Monday after a security guard failed to recognise the seven-time world snooker champion.

O'Sullivan defeated Ding Junhui 6-3 in the opening round of the Masters, a tournament which sees the world's top 16 players face each other. It was an impressive victory for The Rocket, as 2011 champion Ding recorded a 147 break at the Ally Pally.

Although O'Sullivan can now look forward to quarter-final clash against the winners of Neil Robertson's match with Barry Hawkins, he was worried about getting into the Ally Pally on Monday. That's because the security guard had no idea who he was.

The hilarious incident was filmed by Eurosport. "Can I make sure you're on the list," asked the security guard. When asked for the "name on the list", the seven-time Masters champion said: "I'm playing today at one o'clock... do you want to let me in?"

The security guard insisted he had to "make sure you're on the list first" before letting O'Sullivan in. "If I'm not on the list, does that mean I can't go in?" O'Sullivan laughed. The security guard then reassured him it would be OK and that he would get permission.

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"Are you sure?" O'Sullivan asked with a cheeky smile. "I'm playing in five minutes... quick! I'm going to be late! They're going to dock me, I'm going to lose it (the match), that's it. And then my missus is going to hate me. And the whole world's going to end."

O'Sullivan couldn't believe his snub from the Ally Pally (Eurosport)

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Thankfully, O'Sullivan was only held back for a minute or so and the whole world didn't end. As he drove into the car park laughing, he joked: "He was under a bit of pressure there."

Despite O'Sullivan's victory at the Masters, it was Ding who dominated the headlines for his maximum break. Only three players in the history of the Masters has achieved a 147: Kirk Stevens in 1984, Marco Fu in 2015 and Ding in 2007 and now 2024.

"Ding was never out of position once on the 147, his cue ball control is better than anyone else," said O'Sullivan. "He's a delight to watch, I am envious of the way he does that."

Ding added: "I had a lot of chances at the start of the match but I messed up. After the interval I didn't think I would play that well. To make a maximum was amazing, it has been along time since I felt like that. Early on in the break, the way the balls were, I thought I had a chance. Ronnie was playing so well, he was winning frames in one visit."

Tom Blow