Ronnie O’Sullivan Argues Over 147 Breaks
October 7, 2010
I was driving home from work the other day and an article came on the radio about Ronnie O’Sullivan. As a snooker fan, I have to say I love watching Ronnie play, especially when compared to some of the older generation who take minutes in between shots. Ronnie was arguing that in a recent tournament where he completed yet another maximum break of 147, that there was no additional prize money offered for such as achievement. Ronnie went on to say that he was in two minds whether to purposely miss the black because of the lack of cash incentive to clear the table completely and I’m tempted to agree. I know it sounds a bit greedy given his earnings through the years, but he was arguing that the sport was trying to compete with more ‘exciting’ sports, and that if they want the best players to try and push for 147 breaks that there should be a bonus prize, as it’s not easy, and it deserves to be commended and rewarded.
If someone else who had just made the first 147 of their career had said this, I’d have said they were being stupid, but with it being Ronnie, I’m tempted to agree with him. Snooker needs Ronnie and should want him to keep entertaining the crowds like he has done throughout his career so far.
O’Sullivan in hot water over unacceptable comments
July 22, 2008
Ronnie O’Sullivan has landed himself in trouble with World Snooker by making sexually suggestive comments at a recent media conference.
The World Champion made the comments at the China Open which has led him to being docked the 700 ranking points he earned playing Marco Fu, however O’Sullivan still remains world number one. The comments have also cost Ronnie £2,750.
O’Sullivan’s spokesman said “Ronnie has accepted his punishment.”
“He realises he made a mistake, but he never intended to offend anyone.”
“He wants to forget what happened and move forward.”
“He has apologised to World Snooker, the promoter of the China Open, his fans and also to his sponsors.
“He is keen to get on with his career and continue demonstrating why he is regarded as the best player in the world.”
Joe Swail Profile
July 3, 2008
Joe Swail had a great season last season just missing out on a place in the elusive world top 16 players.
Joe’s best performances last year came in the London snooker Grand Prix where he made it to the quarter finals. Joe managed some great performances in this years world championships easily beating Stephen Lee 10-4. Joe eventually lost a closely fort match 13-12 to Chinas Lian Wenbo after missing the final brown which would have given him the victory. Joe was disappointed in this defeat as victory would have seen him earn a place in the worlds to 16.
Joe or the Outlaw as he is affectionately known back at home has been playing snooker for many years now, and turned professional back in 1991. Joe has appeared in no less than 9 ranking event semi finals but is still waiting for his first ever ranking event final.
- DOB – 29 Aug 1969
- Provisional Ranking – 18th
- Turned Pro 1991
- Best Ranking Performance – Semi Finalist 9 times
- Highest Tournament Break – 142 (China Open)
Alex Higgins Profile
June 19, 2008
Alex Higgins aka the hurricane was the most controversial player that has ever graced the game. Higgins throughout his career was never out of the tabloids for his exploits both on and off the table
Higgins had an unorthodox style to playing snooker, but could pull off the most fantastic shots, whilst playing the game incredibly fast, hence the nickname ‘the hurricane’. His exciting style of play made Higgins very popular amongst the public who would turn up in their thousands to watch him play.
Higgins was born in Belfast and made his first maximum break by the age of 16, in order to turn professional Higgins moved to England and became a professional player.
Higgins made an instant impact as a snooker professional and won a title at his first attempt. The highlight of Higgins career was beating Ray Reardon in a tightly fought game in 1982 to become champion for the second time.
Away from the game Higgins has battled with throat cancer and an addiction to alcohol and late night showdowns in bars. Nowadays Higgins is a spent force but he will always be remembered for his exciting play and gung ho attitude of the game.
- DOB – 18 March 1949
- Ranking Tournament Victories – World Champion 1982
Ali Carter Profile
June 13, 2008
Ali Carter has been in fantastic form for the last few months, Carter had a good run in the recent 2008 snooker world championships, beating Stephen Hendry 13-6 along the way.
His tournament was however cut short when Carter lost a closely fought quarter final 13-12 to Mark Selby. His form over the last couple of years has catapulted Carter to 11th in the world rankings.
Carter actually turned professional back in 1996 and managed to reach the semi finals of the snooker Grand Prix in 1999, beaten only by John Higgins. His consistent performances that year, including beating Steve Davis earned Carter the title of world snooker newcomer of the year
Away from snooker Carter is training to become an airline pilot and wants to fly planes for a living once he retires from professional snooker. He even plans to fly to the crucible tournament next year from his home down in Southend.
- DOB – 25 July 1979
- Provisional Ranking – 11th
- Turned Pro – 1996
- Best Ranking Performance – Semi Finals Grand Prix 1999
- Highest Tournament Break – 143
Mark Selby Profile
April 14, 2008
Mark Selby has been the most consistent player over the last six ranking events. Mark’s best performance was in the crucible last year, where he made it all the way to the final. Mark had to play catch up in his first game against Stephen Lee, coming back from 5-0 behind, that win showed lots of character
Mark gained lots of confidence from that victory, which got him through to the semi final of the tournament where he would play Shaun Murphy. The game against Shaun was very tight with Mark eventually winning 17-16 after winning the final three frames.
Mark then went on to play Higgins in the final, where he fought from 12-4 down to trail by one frame 14-13. Higgins however showed the class of an old professional eventually being mark 18-13.
Marks consistency to perform well at ranking events together with his fearless potter and confidence makes him a difficult opponent for any player.
- DOB – 19/06/1983
- Provisional Ranking – 4th
- Turned Pro – 1999
- Ranking Tournament Victories – 1
- Highest Tournament Break – 139
Mark Kings Profile
April 7, 2008
Mark King became a snooker professional back in 1992, his professional career however was quite slow. Mark slowly made his way up to 89th in the world by his third season, where he reached the last 32 of the World Championships at the crucible.
By the 1995/1996 season Mark King had rised to 39th and was slowly improving. It was not until 1997 Mark made a big breakthrough and won his first ranking final in the Welsh Open impressively beating the holder Mark Williams along the way. Although Mark was heavily beaten in the final, this was a big breakthrough and pushed him to 20th.
In 2002 Mark made another Semi-final appearance in the British Open, and was regularly reaching the last 16 of ranking tournaments moving Mark to 11th in the world. Unfortunately Mark suffered a miserable next season failing to win a match in the years opening 4 events, this promoted Mark to say he hated the game and would never play it again!
However he did. Mark has enjoyed some good runs since that outburst and has moved back up to 20th in the rankings. Hopefully Mark will increase these rankings by putting in a good performance in the World Championships this year
- DOB – 28/03/1974
- Provisional Ranking – 18th
- Turned Pro – 1991
- Best Ranking Performance – Runner up Welsh Open 1997
- Highest Tournament Break – 143
John Higgins Profile
April 4, 2008
John Higgins became a professional snooker player back in 1992. In his first season as a professional John Higgins rankings were average, only managing a ranking of 122. In his first couple of seasons John seemed just an average professional with no real sign that he would become one of the best players ever to play the game
In the next season however Higgins improved dramatically and took his first snooker title. Higgins then also managed to win the British Open, whilst still ranked only 51st if the world.
This dramatic success leapfrogged Higgins to 11th in the world, from then on Higgins has been at the pinnacle of the game. By 1999 Higgins had become the best snooker player in the world winning several titles along the way.
Since then Higgins has slipped to 5th in the world, but is currently the reigning Snooker world champion having won in the crucible last year. Higgins has now won every major title in the game, making him the third best snooker player ever, behind only Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis
- D.O.B – 18/05/1975
- Provisional Ranking – 5th
- Turned Pro – 1992
- Highest Tournament break – 147 (5 times)
Graeme Dott Profile
April 1, 2008
Graeme Dott has been a consistent and steady snooker professional over the last year, and has been climbing up the world rankings.
Graeme Dott actually turned professional way back in 1994 but has had a slow but steady career. It was not until 1999 that Dott actually started to impress on the world stage.
Dott is now one of the 16 best snooker players in the world, a feat he has always dreamed of as a child. In 2003/2004 Graeme had an awful season losing in the opening round of 4 big snooker events, this led to Graeme smashing his cue. After that strange event Dott has gone from strength to strength and even reach the final of a ranking event, keeping him in the top 16.
- Born – 12 May 1977
- Turned Pro – 1994
- Current ranking – 13th
- Highest tournament break – 147
Mark Williams Profile
March 24, 2008
Mark williams is known in snooker for his great long ball potting, and was considered the best single ball potter in the game. Recently however williams has been playing poorly, the 2006/2007 was his worst on record and one he will probably want to forget.
Williams has admitted that the birth of his second son has affected his game, as he hasn’t been putting the required amount of hours on the practice tables. Williams however has managed to keep in the worlds top 16, and has higher hopes for the coming world championships.
Only a few years ago Mark ruled the Crucible and became the only left handed player to win the world title. Williams is a very honest player and openly admits hes been rubbish in recent matches, he does however have higher hopes for this years world championships.
- D.O.B – 21st March 1975
- Provisonal Ranking – 29th
- Turned Pro – 1992
- Ranking Tournment Victories -16
- Highest Tournament Break – 147
