Ronnie O’Sullivan’s World Championship U-turn and prize money twist | Other | Sport
Ronnie O’Sullivan is no stranger to the headlines, with the snooker star still considered one of the faces of the sport, even into his fifties. And as the 2026 World Championship edges ever closer, the Rocket is once again in the spotlight, as he goes in search of an eighth Crucible crown.
It’s been another season where O’Sullivan has reduced his schedule in order to keep himself fresh for the big one. But having previously admitted he would keep competing at the World Championship, the snooker star did reveal he’d considered pulling out of the big event. Express Sport rounds up the latest O’Sullivan news, as well as other key updates regarding the 50-year-old potter.
O’Sullivan admits World Championship participation doubts
O’Sullivan claimed after his World Open final defeat against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh that anxiety had made him contemplate pulling out of this year’s World Championship. The Wordsley-born ace said: “We’ll just see how it goes. I wasn’t even going to play in the World Championship 10 days ago because I was too scared. I felt like I would embarrass myself.”
However, O’Sullivan has once again committed himself to the tournament: “But now I feel I probably will go, because I feel like I might pot a few balls. It’s not great, I’m not in a great, great place with it, but I’m better than I was maybe two weeks ago.”
153 break denies opponent prize money
O’Sullivan might’ve lost the World Open, but his incredible 153 break captured the imagination of snooker fans across the globe. It also dealt a blow to the victor, Un-Nooh, who was denied a greater share of the prize money because of O’Sullivan’s antics.
Un-Nooh’s total winnings would’ve been £225,000 if it wasn’t for O’Sullivan’s record break, with the Thai ace having to settle for a cool £175,000 instead. Despite the disappointment, it still represented a five-time increase on his only other ranking triumph at the 2019 Shoot Out.
There has however been a disagreement between the snooker legend and Keir Starmer, after the Prime Minister stepped in to push for the World Championship to remain at the Crucible in Sheffield. The current contract is set to run out in 2027, with talk Saudi Arabia could host the most prestigious snooker tournament instead.
