Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker 2024 prize money: How much can be won in Saudi Arabia?
THE Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will take place for the first time THIS WEEK!
Ronnie O’Sullivan will be among the top ten players from the official world rankings competing at the inaugural tournament, along with two local wild cards.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is competing for huge prize money in RiyadhGETTY
World Champion Luca Brecel will be the top seed following his triumph at the Crucible last year.
Two wildcards, Omar Alajlani and Ali Abobaidli, will join the top ten to make up the 12-player field – they will be local players who emerge from an invitational competition in the build-up to the tournament.
SunSport has all the information on the huge prize pot available in Riyadh.
What is Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker prize money?
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the event will have a total prize pool of $1million (approx. £789,000).
If a player scores a maximum break (167) they will take home a huge £400k.
Here is a breakdown of how the prize money will be distributed:
Winner – £250,000
Runner-up – £125,000
Semi-finals – £75,000
Quarter-finals – £50,000
Round one – £25,000
Preliminary round – £5,000
When is the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker?
The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker got underway on Monday, March 4.
The tournament will conclude on Wednesday, March 6.
Eurosport will offer full coverage for UK viewers – although session times are yet to be confirmed.
What are the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker rules?
Each game will be played under the World Snooker rules and regulations – with one MASSIVE difference.
A controversial new 23rd ball will be introduced, known as the Riyadh Season ball, which will be gold.
The new ball will be worth 20 points and can only be potted once if a player is on course to make a maximum break.
The 20 points would take the maximum to 167 – a new world record.
World Snooker Tour say that each frame will begin with the Gold Ball on the baulk cushion level with the brown spot.
If a player accidentally pots the Gold Ball early in the frame or hits it before hitting the object ball, it is a four-point foul.
The Gold Ball stays on the table as long as it is possible for a player to make a 147.
If a maximum is no longer possible, the Gold Ball is removed from the table by the referee until the next frame.
Who is playing at the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker?
The 12 players competing are:
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Judd Trump
Mark Allen
Luca Brecel
Mark Selby
Shaun Murphy
Mark Williams
Ali Carter
John Higgins
Ding Junhui
Omar Alajlani (Wild Card)
Ali Abobaidli (Wild Card)
What is the schedule for the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker?
Monday, March 4 – Round 1:
Ding Junhui 4-0 Omar Alajlani
John Higgins 4-0 Ali Alobaidli
Ali Carter 4-3 Ding Junhui
Mark Williams 2-4 John Higgins
Tuesday, March 5 – Quarter-finals:
Mark Allen vs Mark Selby – 2pm
Luca Brecel vs Winner Of Match 3 – 3pm
Judd Trump vs Shaun Murphy – 7pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Winner Of Match 4 – 8pm
Wednesday, March 6 – Semi-finals:
Winner Of Match 5 vs Winner Of Match 6 – 2pm
Winner Of Match 7 vs Winner Of Match 8 – 3pm
Wednesday, March 6 – Final:
Winner Of Match 9 vs Winner Of Match 10 – 7pm
