Snooker's controversial golden ball to be worth £800k as prize money doubles
Ronnie O’Sullivan could be set to bank over £1million next year as he attempts to defend his World Masters of Snooker title - thanks to an even more lucrative golden ball.
The 48-year-old claimed the title at the inaugural edition against Luca Brecel earlier this week in Saudi. Alongside the trophy, he also banked a cheque worth around £250k.
His prize pot could have been even bigger had he managed to pot the controversial golden ball at the end of a maximum break. If he or any player throughout the tournament managed that, they would have secured an additional £400k.
It has now been confirmed that the golden ball will be worth even more in 2025. Speaking after Wednesday’s final, Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh said: "Hello everybody. Today in this competition, no one got the golden ball.
“For that, for the next competition, we will double it for $1million (£790,000). And second thing. In Saudi Arabia, we are honoured to discuss with O'Sullivan to have an academy by his name in Saudi Arabia."
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Reigning champion O’Sullivan has already laid out his ambitions of potting the golden ball next year. Speaking after beating Brecel by five frames to two, he said: "You want to make the sport as big as you can make it but obviously coming to places like this, the Saudis are a powerhouse.
"If anyone can inject anything into snooker, it will be the people who have put on the tournament this week. Hopefully they've enjoyed it, the crowds have enjoyed it, we've certainly enjoyed it. So there should be a 10-year contract on the table by tomorrow!
"Golden ball, yeah. I'll get there next year. You don't want to take it all at once, you know. The tournament this year and the golden ball next year, it would be great."
Ronnie O'Sullivan speaks to the press after winning the World Masters of Snooker (WeAreWST/X)What is your view on snooker's golden ball? Share your thoguhts in the comments below
O’Sullivan was also full of praise for the tournament and its Saudi Arabian hosts. He added: "It's been a fantastic tournament, brilliant venue. The crowd have been amazing.
“It's been a long time since we came to the Middle East, I think like 1994, so far too long. To have snooker back in the Middle East, we've been treated fantastically well this week, all the players have enjoyed it.
"The hospitality has been fantastic, the culture here is fantastic, and we'd be so grateful to come back here and play many more times. Hopefully [I will be back]. These are the tournaments you really want to play in.
"One table, great crowd, great atmosphere, the music was going in-between the frames. It was like we were in some sort of rave. It was like going 25 years back when I was young.
"But I think the whole crowd have enjoyed it, it's made it a bit more lively. It just feels like a really nice festival. Riyadh Season of sport, you've got the boxing on Friday, the F1 on Saturday. Everyone needs to get to Saudi!"
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