The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker introduces the golden ball, igniting excitement and controversy as players like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump vie for an £800,000 prize pool with a chance to make snooker history.
The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker 2024, commencing on March 4 in Saudi Arabia, showcases an innovative twist with the introduction of the golden ball, stirring both excitement and controversy in the snooker community. The tournament, located at the Global Theatre in Boulevard City, Riyadh, highlights a distinguished lineup of players, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump, competing for a generous £800,000 prize pool, with the winner securing £250,000.
This year’s event is notable not only for its high-stakes prize but also for the groundbreaking addition of the golden ball, set to potentially elevate the maximum break to 167 from the traditional 147. This change comes with the promise of a £395,000 reward for the first player achieving a 167 break, introducing a fresh challenge and strategic layer to the game. The golden ball, worth 20 points, is activated following the potting of 15 reds and 15 blacks, positioned at the top of the table to add an intriguing dynamic.
However, this modification has met with its share of criticism, particularly concerning Saudi Arabia’s motives. Critics argue that the inclusion of the golden ball, alongside Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in global sports, represents an attempt at sportswashing, overshadowing the essence of snooker with spectacle. This debate places the tournament within a larger discussion on sports integrity and the balance between innovation and tradition.
Despite these controversies, snooker enthusiasts in the UK and globally can catch the action live through Eurosport and DAZN, as the tournament unfolds from March 4 to 6, promising to deliver top-tier competition and potentially historic moments in the sport of snooker.
