Ronnie O'Sullivan was at the centre of controversy on the first day of the Welsh Open after he deliberately refused the chance of a maximum break in protest over prize money.
O'Sullivan was on course to complete a 147 break in the concluding frame of his 4-1 victory over Barry Pinches, but the five-time world champion mysteriously opted to pot the pink instead of the black following the penultimate red.
O'Sullivan explained afterwards that he felt the £10,000 on offer for completing a maximum break at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena was not enough.
The prize for a 147 is calculated on a rollover basis, with £5,000 added to the pot in each tournament. Australian Neil Robertson made the most recent maximum in December's UK Championship final, winning £44,000 including the £4,000 prize for the tournament high break.
O'Sullivan has a history of strange behaviour
"I knew it was 10 grand and I just thought that's a bit too cheap really," O'Sullivan said. "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.
"It's like going into a Mercedes garage and when they say that you can have the car for £3,000, you reply, 'No way, that's too cheap. I'm not buying it for that'. Certain things have value, and a 147 is a special moment. I want it to feel special all round.
Who has the most 147s?
| Name | Number of 147s |
|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan | 13 |
| Stephen Hendry | 11 |
| John Higgins | 6 |
| Ding Junhui | 5 |
| Marco Fu | 4 |
| Shaun Murphy | 4 |
| Stuart Bingham | 3 |
| Jamie Cope | 3 |
| Neil Robertson | 3 |
| James Wattana | 3 |
"But the punters still got value for money today. Now they've got something more to look forward to. There's still room for improvement."
"You like to entertain your fans. It's like a film. You want them to come back and watch the next one. There is no point in giving them the best ending they've ever had. Leave room for a better ending next time."
O'Sullivan opts for the pink when the black was on
O'Sullivan's decision attracted widespread criticism, not least from World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, who described the Englishman's actions as "unacceptable".
In a series of tweets, Hearn wrote:
@Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 Its up to Ronnie as I don't play his shots for him ! If 10 k doesn't mean anything then I'm sorry for him.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 Great entertainers entertain. It's what they were born to do . Money doesn't really come into it.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@lailarouass @Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 Most people don't understand 10 k not meaning anything ! Fact is we have a lot of 147 breaks
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@lailarouass @Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 and the Prizemoney reflects that. It's a shame that punters who buy tickets and tv fans who
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@lailarouass @Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 watch did not have the pleasure of seeing a maximum break. Players have a duty to the fans to
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@lailarouass @Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 deliver the best standard and entertainment they can. Anything less than playing to your best
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
@lailarouass @Relmo_21 @ronnieo147 @Huwm888 ability is unacceptable and disrespectful to the paying public. This is not crime but a shame.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) February 15, 2016
World No 30, Ali Carter, who has battled both cancer and Crohn's disease, was disgusted with O'Sullivan, saying that instead of finishing on 146 he should have secured the maximum - and given the £10,000 to charity.
"He should have helped someone out but he's only thinking of himself again. Unfortunately that's his problem isn't it," said Carter.
Ali Carter was unimpressed with O'Sullivan's actions
"He should have made the 147 and given the money to charity - to Cancer Research or Crohn's Disease or something like that."
World No 2 Mark Allen said: "That's just Ronnie. It's why people come and watch him - you never know what you're going to get. He's unbelievably talented but a bit of a nutcase off the table at times, which is what people want.
"If he feels he doesn't need ten grand then that's better for him. I know if it was me I would be trying my nuts off to get a 147 but that's what Ronnie is all about.
"If someone offered me ten grand I wouldn't turn it down but I sort of understand where he's coming from. Compared to the days when it used to be massive money for 147s it is a bit disappointing.
"147s are still cherished - I've never had one on tour. Hopefully it rolls over a few times and I can make one and make a few quid."
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