Ronnie O’Sullivan: Barry Hearn gives snooker’s ‘biggest character’ his backing over maximum break refusal

The five-time World Champion turned down the chance to make a 147 clearance because he thought the £12,000 prize-money on offer was 'too cheap'

Ronnie O’Sullivan said he wanted the prize for a maximum break to build up to more than £10,000 (Getty Images)

Barry Hearn has backed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s decision to turn down a maximum break opportunity at the Welsh Open.

O’Sullivan potted an easier pink en route to his eventual clearance of 146 against Barry Pinches on Monday and said afterwards he thought the £12,000 total prize-money on offer was “too cheap”.

Hearn, chairman of snooker’s world governing body, said O’Sullivan had not broken any rules and conceded his unpredictability helps give the sport a higher profile.

Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Some have said he has brought the game into disrepute but Ronnie brings the game into fine repute. In his little head, he thought it would be funny.

“He is quite dry. The 147 is the pinnacle but Ronnie has made loads of them [13], he has got loads of money.

“He is the biggest character in the sport. When he breaks the rules, he gets punished; in this case, it was his choice. Without personality and characters, sport dies. O’Sullivan is the biggest character in the sport.”

O’Sullivan had made a break of 80 when he asked an official and members of the commentary box what the prize was for a 147.

To the groans of some in the audience, he then proceeded to play for the pink instead of an eminently available black off the 14th red.

O’Sullivan said: “I could have done it, but I didn’t think the prize was worthy of a 147, so I’ve tried to let it build up until it’s worthy and then go for it.

“To make a maxi, it’s such a massive achievement and if they’re going to pay us 10 grand, I think it’s worth a bit more than that.

O’Sullivan has eased into the last 32 with breaks of 110, 90, 112 and 102 to see off China’s Tian Pengfei 4-0.