Where controversial 'golden ball' will be placed on snooker table during new Saudi tournament

Mark Allen has appeared to confirm where the 'golden ball' will sit at the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker tournament next month.

The 38-year-old world number three, who recently lifted the Players Championship after a 10-8 win over Zhang Anda, will compete for a prize pot of $1million, which equates to around £789,000.

He will feature alongside seven of the top ranked players in the world; Ronnie O'Sullivan, Luca Brecel, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy.

Since the tournament was announced earlier this month, organisers have confirmed that a 23rd ball will be available for those who are on a 147 maximum break.

“Each game will be played under World Snooker rules and regulations but with the introduction of an innovative new concept, a 23rd ball known as the Riyadh Season ball,” The World Snooker Tour said in a statement.

“This gold ball will be worth 20 points and can only be potted once all other balls have been successfully cleared from the table if a player is on a maximum break to make it 167.”

As mentioned above, the new ball will be worth 20 points, meaning players will be able to score a 167 break.

So where will the 'golden ball' be placed on the table? It has been a huge discussion point in the snooker community, with a number of different suggestions being made.

But world number three Mark Allen has given the clearest indication yet that the ball will be placed in the middle of the baulk cushion.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "We've been told it's going in the middle of the baulk cushion. It will be removed once a 147 is no longer possible in a frame. If moved legally during the frame, it stays where it finishes."

Image credit: X/@RiyadhSeason

Ronnie O'Sullivan, meanwhile, is keen to know how much the prize will be for hitting a 167 break at the Boulevard Arena.

He said: "What's the prize for a 167? Have they announced it? I'm sure that it will be a hefty prize.

"Listen, the Saudis can just do what they like. They are a powerful outfit. Every other sport seems to be doing stuff in Saudi, so it will be great to go out there."

The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will begin on Monday, March 4 and finish on March 6.

Topics: Snooker, Ronnie OSullivan

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_