Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has added another title to his remarkable career after winning the inaugural Snooker 900 Global Championship and pocketing a £25,000 top prize. The seven-time world champion defeated Luca Brecel 10-5 in the final of the fast-paced tournament, continuing his impressive recent form on the table.
The new Snooker 900 format has quickly become one of the sport’s biggest talking points because of its major rule changes. Each frame lasts a maximum of 15 minutes — or 900 seconds — while players must take every shot within 20 seconds. Another controversial addition is the “ball-in-hand” rule after fouls, which allows opponents to place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
O’Sullivan has strongly supported the format and believes it could represent the future of snooker. Speaking after his victory, the Englishman said the game may have finally “hit the sweet spot” by creating a quicker and more entertaining version of the sport for fans and broadcasters alike.
The Rocket was in sensational scoring form throughout the final, compiling five century breaks against Brecel. Remarkably, he had also produced five centuries the previous weekend while winning the World Seniors Championship, showing that even at the age of 50, he remains one of the sport’s most dangerous players.
O’Sullivan’s comments on the new rules have sparked fresh debate across the snooker world. Many traditional fans prefer the slower tactical battles seen at events such as the World Championship, but others believe the sport needs innovation to attract younger audiences. Former world champion Shaun Murphy recently backed similar changes, arguing that time limits and shot clocks would stop marathon frames and encourage more attacking play.
The new format also appears to suit O’Sullivan perfectly. Known for his rapid style and natural attacking instincts, he looked comfortable under the pressure of the shot clock. His victory over Brecel was largely dominant after the match had been level early on, with O’Sullivan winning key frames in quick succession to pull away from the Belgian star.
Away from the tournament itself, O’Sullivan suggested that many professional players would welcome a breakaway tour built around the Snooker 900 concept. According to reports, he believes as many as 70 percent of professionals could be interested in joining such a series if it continues to grow.
Whether the format becomes a permanent part of professional snooker remains uncertain, but one thing is already clear — O’Sullivan has fully embraced the experiment. His latest title win, combined with his outspoken support for the new rules, has placed him once again at the centre of snooker’s biggest conversation.
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