Ronnie O’Sullivan has explained how he may not have played in next month’s Tour Championship if he didn’t get his “arm twisted” by sponsors. The Rocket is fresh off victory in Saudi Arabia as he pocketed a cool £250,000 for winning the World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh and now steps up preparation for the World Snooker Championship.
The 48-year-old has dictated his schedule more regularly in recent years and made no secret of his preference to compete abroad rather than events in the UK. Next month’s Tour Championship in Manchester may not have initially been circled on O’Sullivan’s calendar, but he has since declared his intention to play.
The 48-year-old has dictated his schedule more regularly in recent years and made no secret of his preference to compete abroad rather than events in the UK. Next month’s Tour Championship in Manchester may not have initially been circled on O’Sullivan’s calendar, but he has since declared his intention to play.
“So for the next four tournaments I’m really going to give it 100 per cent because sponsors and all the backing that they’ve put in for these events.”
The 12-man event follows the World Open in Yushan, China, which starts on March 18, ensuring that O’Sullivan is set for a busy few weeks before taking to the Crucible stage. He will also play in an exhibition event alongside the likes of Judd Trump and Mark Williams in Hong Kong before returning to the UK.
O’Sullivan has pulled out of several events in Britain this season, including the Welsh and Scottish Opens, but pledged to compete in Manchester due to the intervention of sponsors. Last year, he went as far as to threaten to quit snooker completely if he was not allowed to prioritise playing overseas.
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