Ronnie O’Sullivan wins Global Snooker 900 Championship
Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed the inaugural Global Snooker 900 Championship title in Reading on Sunday night, defeating 2023 world champion Luca Brecel 10-5 in a match that showcased impressive skill and five century breaks, reports BritPanorama.
O’Sullivan, 50, capped off the season in style, earning a £25,000 prize at the Crucible Sports and Social Club. His journey to the final included a narrow 5-4 victory over amateur Billy Joe Castle and a 6-4 win against world number eight Kyren Wilson in the semis.
This victory marks O’Sullivan’s third title in less than two months. He previously won the World Seniors Championship, defeating Joe Perry 10-4 while also hitting five centuries. Just a week prior, he secured the inaugural John Virgo Trophy by thrashing John Higgins 6-0.
Planning a break before the Shanghai Masters at the end of July, O’Sullivan expressed his enjoyment of the Snooker 900 format, which features 15-minute frames and a 20-second shot clock. “I just love this format,” he noted to Pluto TV, indicating a strong preference among players for this quicker style of play.
Brecel, despite his loss, praised the event’s atmosphere and the format’s intensity, drawing comparisons to classic finals. He reflected on the advantages of a more intimate setting at the Reading club versus larger arenas, stating, “I think it’s much more atmosphere because even if there’s less people, you sort of feel a bit more.”
O’Sullivan reciprocated the compliment, identifying Brecel as his favorite player to watch, likening him to snooker legends Alex Higgins and Jimmy White. As the snooker world shifts to this new format, it remains to be seen how it will influence the sport’s landscape.
