Ronnie O’Sullivan’s exceptional performance at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters left his opponent, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, facing a substantial loss in bonuses after O’Sullivan achieved an impressive 147 break and followed it up with a second maximum in the same match.
The tournament offers a £50,000 prize for a maximum break, which Un-Nooh was set to claim until O’Sullivan’s outstanding display. O’Sullivan is now in line to receive two-thirds of the prize money. Additionally, O’Sullivan secured a £147,000 bonus by achieving another 147 break during his victory over Chris Wakelin in Jeddah, boosting his total earnings to over £180,000.
Fans and experts alike praised O’Sullivan’s skill, with Steven Hallworth commenting during TNT Sports’ coverage of the event that O’Sullivan’s name is synonymous with excellence in snooker, highlighting his remarkable abilities.
O’Sullivan’s triumph over Wakelin with a score of 6-3 earned him a spot in the final against Neil Robertson, who also secured a 6-3 victory over Elliot Slessor. This victory marked O’Sullivan’s first competitive 147 break since 2018, setting a new record as the oldest player to achieve a maximum break.
The introduction of a £147,000 bonus for making two maximum breaks across specific tournaments in the 2025-26 season was hugely beneficial for O’Sullivan, who only needed one event to claim the prize. Previously critical of smaller rewards for maximum breaks, O’Sullivan’s impressive performance in Saudi Arabia resulted in a substantial six-figure sum.
Both O’Sullivan and Robertson will have the opportunity to increase their financial rewards in the final, with the winner receiving a significant £500,000 payout and the runner-up taking home £200,000. O’Sullivan emphasized the importance of reaching the final in terms of ranking points and acknowledged the high level of competition in modern snooker, highlighting the dedication required to achieve such results.
Furthermore, Sky has announced a reduced price for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming 2025/26 season, offering substantial savings and an extensive selection of live matches from various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games in the upcoming season, a notable increase from previous years.