Ronnie O'Sullivan has collected £25,000 after winning the Global Snooker 900 Championship and used the platform to express his views on a major snooker rule change. The 50-year-old, known as 'The Rocket', defeated Luca Brecel in the final, securing his second consecutive tournament victory following his success at the World Seniors Championship earlier this month.
Fast-Paced Victory Under Snooker 900 Rules
The match was played under Snooker 900 regulations, which impose a 15-minute time limit per frame, a 20-second shot clock, and a ball in hand rule after a foul. O'Sullivan, who is known for his rapid play, had no trouble adapting to the quicker pace. Speaking to SPORTbible after his win, he said: 'It's really important for players who are not on tour to have chances like Snooker 900. To play for some good prize money on TV, and getting to compete against the pros, is all good experience. The shot clock isn't really an issue for me as I'm pretty quick, but it keeps the game moving.'
He added: 'I really like the ball in hand rule as you don't need to wait for balls to be put back, you just get on with the game. A lot of players have said they'd like to see Snooker 900 rules in more tournaments, and that's what we want to do on Pluto.'
Support for Rule Changes Amid Record-Long Frame
The debate over snooker's lack of a time limit on frames intensified after Mark Allen and Wu Yize contested the longest frame in the sport's history during their World Championship semi-final, which lasted an astonishing 100 minutes and 21 seconds. Former world champion Shaun Murphy criticised the marathon frame and urged the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) to adopt Snooker 900's rules. Murphy stated: 'I've been a fan of the 900 since its inception. It's very close to the rules that I'd like to see brought into normal snooker. With the spotted cue ball and the shot clock. A ball in hand is something I'm a fan of. I've been campaigning for that for many, many years. So I'm quite excited to try it.'
Murphy continued: 'I feel like it's a much more rounded version of the Shoot Out, which I really enjoy. It's a new version of the game and it's very popular. I've been clear. I'd like to see it in all forms of snooker. I'd like to see that in all tournaments, including the Crucible. With a ball in hand and a shot clock, you certainly wouldn't have had the ridiculousness of the 100-minute frame that we had in the semi-finals.'
What's Next for O'Sullivan
Following his victory, O'Sullivan is set to take an extended break before returning for the new season at the Shanghai Masters at the end of July. The seven-time world champion continues to be a dominant force in the sport, both on and off the table, as he advocates for changes that could reshape the game's future.
