Ronnie O’Sullivan yet to practise in bizarre new format as snooker icon is among eight confirmed for Saudi tournament
EIGHT STARS have been confirmed to fly to Saudi Arabia next week – but they have yet to practise with the ‘Gold Ball’.
The inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will be held March 4-6 and carries a £789,000 pool pot.
The World Snooker Tour field will include reigning world champion Luca Brecel, world No.1 Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams and Ali Carter.
Two local wildcards will be involved in the 10-man invitational event that will be shown in the UK on Eurosport.
On Monday evening, seeds seven (Williams) and eight 8 (Carter) play the two local guys with the winners progressing into the best-of-seven frames quarter-finals.
The final is best of nine frames.
A controversial 20-point Gold Ball will come into play if anyone has compiled a 147 maximum break – meaning a world record 167 break is possible.
Details of prize money and where the extra 23rd ball will be positioned on the table will be announced in the coming days.
One player has told SunSport it could be placed in the middle of the baulk cushion, which would make the feat “tough” to accomplish.
It is believed the cueists have not had the chance to practise with the ball and they will happen when they arrive in the Middle East.
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O’Sullivan was on a 16-match winning run before being brutally dismantled by Selby in the Players Championship last week.
The Leicester star knocked in breaks of 105, 91, 81, 65 and 59 in the Telford quarter-finals.
Allen was eventually crowned winner of the tournament after beating Zhang Anda in a grueling final.