Ronnie O'Sullivan has made feelings very clear on Saudi Arabia hosting snooker's new 'fourth major'

Ronnie O’Sullivan has already made his feelings clear on snooker being held in Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, a newly-created Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters dubbed the sports ‘fourth major’ was announced, with a £2million prize fund on offer.

The inaugural tournament, which will take place in Riyadh at the end of August, has the second biggest prize pot on the schedule, behind only the World Championship.

The tournament, which has a ten-year deal agreed, will take place between August 31 and September 7 and is a ranking event open to all tour players, plus six local wildcards.

The World Snooker tour puts it in the same category as the triple crown of the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.

The new tournament will likely be popular among players given the prize fund available.

Indeed, in January, O’Sullivan insisted he was looking forward to the Riyadh Season World Masters, a non-ranking event for the world's top eight, that will include an extra 20-point golden ball for players who complete a 147.

When asked last month about Saudi’s decision to introduce a golden ball, O’Sullivan said after his Grand Prix final win: “What’s the prize for a 167, have they announced it?

“I’m sure it’ll be a hefty prize.

“Listen, the Saudis can do what they like – they’re a powerful outfit.

“I think it’ll be good, it’d be great to get out there and play, every other sport seems to be doing stuff in Saudi so it’d be great to get out there.”

O'Sullivan has already spoken up the prospect of snooker being held in Saudi Arabia (Getty)

On the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said in a statement: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has forged a reputation for growth and creating new opportunities for sports to grow in a new market to new fans.

"The country has hosted some of the world's premier sporting events in recent years, welcoming visitors from all over to experience its passion for sport and unique culture.

"The addition of both the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and World Pool Championship over the next decade further enhances that as it heralds an exciting chapter for snooker and nine-ball pool.

"We have seen the incredible impact boxing has had in this region. Now, I believe we will see billiards cement its legacy here too, creating incredible opportunities and competition for the finest players on the planet."

Topics: Snooker, Saudi Arabia, Ronnie OSullivan, Eddie Hearn

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.