Ronnie O Sullivan, widely hailed as snooker’s greatest player, endured a stunning early exit from the 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, devastating his hopes for a record-breaking payday and sparking intense debate in the sport. The Rocket’s 4-0 whitewash defeat by Shaun Murphy not only ended his campaign but also cost him a chance at the special £760,000 golden ball bonus, making headlines throughout the global snooker community.
Tournament Overview and Prize Drama
Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship brought together snooker’s elite for a non-ranking but lucrative event. With the winner set to claim £250,000 from a total prize fund of £785,000, the tournament’s standout feature was the introduction of a “golden ball” worth a staggering £760,000. To pocket this jackpot, a player first had to achieve a maximum 147 break, then follow it up by potting the special 20-point golden ball for a history-making 167 break.
Ronnie O Sullivan, who won the inaugural Riyadh championship in 2024, arrived with ambitions to repeat his success and etch his name permanently into snooker folklore by being the first to claim the golden ball prize.
Murphy’s Masterclass: The 4-0 Whitewash
The shock of the event came as Shaun Murphy produced a nearly flawless performance to sweep O’Sullivan aside 4-0 in their highly anticipated clash. Murphy, who had not beaten Ronnie O Sullivan since 2017, broke the hoodoo in emphatic style. His barrage included clinical breaks of 53, 93, 99, and 83, leaving O’Sullivan unable to mount any challenge or build momentum.
Ronnie O Sullivan’s struggles were evident from the outset. Despite his reputation for clinical potting and mental fortitude, he looked out of sorts, missing crucial balls, including a pink to the middle early in the match and a straightforward yellow in the fourth frame. The match, which lasted just over an hour, saw Murphy secure every frame through sharp safety play, aggressive potting, and precise positional shots.
Losing the £760K: The Golden Ball Gamble
Of particular heartbreak for Ronnie O Sullivan was the lost chance at the unprecedented £760,000 golden ball bonus. This new innovation excited both players and fans, offering a never-before-seen jackpot for a special achievement. O’Sullivan, always candid, said before the tournament that he would rather achieve the big break than simply win the trophy, hinting at his desire for history over money.
Yet, his disjointed display meant there was never a glimpse of a possible 167 break or a shot at the golden ball. His defeat not only ended his title defence but slammed the door on snooker’s most lucrative individual shot to date.
John Higgins’ Scathing ‘Pathetic’ Rant
The Kuwaiti defeat was not the only controversy overshadowing the Riyadh event. John Higgins, another snooker great, delivered a stinging verdict on the playing conditions at the Saudi-based tournament. Although Higgins cruised into the quarter-finals with a victory over Ding Junhui, he openly blasted the table conditions in post-match interviews.
Higgins described the table as “pathetic” for such a high-stakes event, criticising the condition of the cloth, cushions, and overall setup. He remarked that he and Ding both struggled to adapt, likening the experience to playing on a table with “beer mats underneath” and questioning how such conditions could pass inspection for a million-pound tournament. His frustration was echoed across snooker forums, with many questioning whether big-money events outside snooker’s traditional strongholds receive the respect they deserve in terms of playing standards.
O’Sullivan’s Recent Form and Career Impact
This defeat comes at a time when Ronnie O Sullivan’s 2025 season has seen highs and lows. He is fresh off exhibition events and has aspirations to cement his legacy with another major payday and a once-in-a-lifetime record. Despite his age and length of career, O’Sullivan’s appetite for unique challenges and snooker innovation remains unparalleled.
Losing such a high-profile match and missing out on the immense golden ball bonus will sting, but O’Sullivan’s charisma, candour, and extraordinary talent ensure he remains the face of modern snooker.
What Lies Ahead: Tournament Fallout and Reactions
The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship continues, but the early exits of stars like Ronnie O Sullivan and the loud critiques from Higgins have dominated discussion and social media. Fans are left mulling over what could have been, both in terms of on-table magic and the off-table spectacle.
The golden ball gimmick is a headline innovation, but its challenge means the handsome bonus may remain unclaimed unless a player delivers snooker’s version of perfection under immense pressure. For now, Ronnie O Sullivan’s costly miss and Higgins’ stinging rant define the 2025 Riyadh championship.
