World Masters of Snooker

The Riyadh Season Festival of Snooker has been rebranded the World Masters of Snooker. The event begins today at the Global Theatre, Boulevard City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event was due to include the top 8 players in the world plus 2 wildcards. However it appears that due to a disagreement between the WST and the sponsors about who the 2 wildcards should be, they have reached a compromise and the field has been increased from 10 to 12. Apart from the top 8 players in the world on the 2YRL, the added players are:
Ding Jinhui
John Higgins
Ali Alobaidli from Oman - The IBSF World Amateur Champion
Omar Alajlani - The most promising Saudi Arabian amateur

The Draw:
Play off Round 1
Omar Alajlani v Ding Junhui - Match 1
Ali Alobaidli v John Higgins - Match 2
Play off Round 2
Ali Carter v Winner of Match 1 - M3
Mark Williams v Winner of Match 2 - M4
Quarter Finals
Luca Brecel v Winner of M3
Mark Allen v Mark Selby
Judd Trump v Tubs Murphy
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Winner of M4

TV Coverage starts from 2pm on Eurosport and Discovery Plus

Ok, so the golden ball: the golden ball is placed at the centre of the baulk cushion at the start of the frame. It stays there until a 147 break is no longer possible then it is removed from the table. If it is accidentally potted while it's there, or a player fouls it by the cue ball hitting it before the object ball then it is a foul 4. If a player makes a 147 he has to play position on it after potting the black. If he pots it the break becomes 167.

The first player to make a 167 break will get a prize of $500,000, about £395,000. That prize is only available once, only the first player to make a 167 break will get it.

What a bloody silly idea.

Ding won his qualifier, I see.

Ding lost 4-3 to Carter.
Boooooooo.

John Higgins defied his age to beat the World Amateur Champion 4-0 and show that even at his age there is still a gulf between him and the top amateurs. He went on to qualify for the quarter finals by beating Mark Williams 4-2.

Still no 167 break but I hope no one gets it before Ronnie gets a crack at it.

I read that Higgins potted 15 reds and 15 blacks but then stuffed the yellow. So maybe someone will get a chance at the 167.

(05-03-2024 14:45 )Doddle Wrote:  I read that Higgins potted 15 reds and 15 blacks but then stuffed the yellow. So maybe someone will get a chance at the 167.

I saw that on the rerun on Eurosport. He took the red on the cushion last and left the cue ball near the side cushion. He went to play his shot when he was distracted by some Arab spectators taking their seats so he got up from his shot. He went back to his shot and his positional shot on the yellow went wrong.

Mark Selby looked like he was up to his usual tricks when he overturned a 62-nil deficit with a 63 clearance to go 3-1 up against Mark Allen. But Allen came back strongly, taking the last 3 frames to win 4-3.

Luca beat Carter 4-1. Yayy!!

Referee Tatiana Woollaston looking hot tonight!

(05-03-2024 21:20 )Joannis Wrote:  Luca beat Carter 4-1. Yayy!!

Referee Tatiana Woollaston looking hot tonight!

Tatiana is super hot in a very understated way .

That was unbelievable! Tubs 3-2 up on a 58 break with victory in his grasp, missed a red and let Judd in. Judd cleared in 2 visits to level the scores, and dominated the deciding frame to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Instead of whingeing about other players being invited to play big money tournaments abroad, Tubs got his opportunity...and he fluffed it!