Ronnie O’Sullivan makes bold Saudi Arabia promise after impressive Riyadh win

O’Sullivan beat reigining world champion Luca Brecel in the World Masters of Snooker final but didn’t pot the golden ball to make a 167 break at any point in the tournament

Ronnie O’Sullivan triumphed at the World Masters of Snooker event in Riyadh (PA Wire)

Ronnie O’Sullivan vowed to pot the golden ball next year after beating Luca Brecel in the final of the inaugural World Masters of Snooker.

O’Sullivan beat the world champion 5-2 in Saudi Arabia to win his fifth title of the campaign.

But his victory did not include potting the golden ball, which sits on the bottom cushion for as long as a maximum break is possible and was worth £395,000 if potted in addition to the 147.

World Snooker said on Thursday that the prize for such a break in 2025 will be doubled.

John Higgins came the closest to getting a shot on the golden ball throughout this tournament in Riyadh but, having potted all 15 reds and blacks in the first frame of his second-round match against Mark Williams, he ran out of position on the yellow.

O’Sullivan, who pocketed £250,000 by winning the tournament, is keen to achieve the feat at next year’s event.

“It’s been a fantastic tournament, a fantastic venue, the crowd have been amazing,” O’Sullivan told DAZN. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been to the Middle East and to be back here is a treat.

“I’ll get the golden ball next year. I didn’t want to take it all at once. I’ll take the tournament this year and then the golden ball next year. It’ll be great.”

O’Sullivan had a break of 95 to take the opening frame but Brecel came back strong in the second to level.

The Belgian took a quickfire third frame with a break of 81 to edge into the lead but a missed black in the next allowed O’Sullivan to tie things up again with a 94 clearance.

And O’Sullivan raced to victory after the interval, with breaks of 121 and 124 securing a 79th professional title.

Runner-up Brecel said: “It’s been a fantastic few days. I’ve really enjoyed playing and I think the crowd has been fantastic.”