Ronnie O’Sullivan is among the stars hoping to win (Image: Getty)
The second edition of the Riyadh Season World Masters gets underway today and players have the opportunity to bank huge sums of money in the non-ranking tournament. is among the players hoping to be the first in snooker history to pot a maximum break of 167 en route to winning the competition.
Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in sport saw them host the first Riyadh Season World Masters earlier this year. The first round of the second edition gets underway today (Wednesday) with Ding Junhui among the stars in action.
O’Sullivan does not complete until tomorrow. Express Sport takes you through the prize money and other important information ahead of the tournament.
Riyadh Season World Masters prize money
O’Sullivan banked £250,000 for beating Luca Brecel in the final earlier this year. The prize for the winner this time around remains the same.
The runner-up will receive £125,000. There is £75,000 on offer for reaching the semi-finals and £50,000 for getting into the final eight.
There is also the incentive of potting the first-ever maximum break of 167. The tournament’s ‘golden ball’ – also known as the Riyadh Season ball – is worth 20 points and therefore extends the total of a maximum break.
Nobody managed to point the maximum last year, with John Higgins going close. Saudi officials decided to double the money this year, so whoever completes the feat first will take home a staggering £793k ($1million).
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the Riyadh Season World Masters last year (Image: Getty)
Where is the Riyadh Season World Masters taking place?
The Global Theatre in Boulevard City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the Riyadh Season World Masters. The tournament is taking place from December 18-20.
How to watch Riyadh Season World Masters
Fans in the United Kingdom can stream the Riyadh Season World Masters live on DAZN. You can also keep up with all the latest news with Express Sport.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Who is playing in Riyadh Season World Masters?
The top 10-ranked players in snooker will all enter the tournament. O’Sullivan is being joined by world champion Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Mark Williams, Luca Brecel, Shaun Williams, Ding Junhui and Zhang Anda.
There will be two Saudi-based wildcards.
Riyadh Season World Masters format
All matches in Riyadh will adopt a best-of–seven-frames format. That will extend to best-of-nine for the final.