“Unacceptable” and “disrespectful.”
That’s Barry Hearn’s view of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s refusal to pursue a maximum break on Monday afternoon at the Welsh Open.
The five-time world snooker champion was on a break of 80, with a potential for 147 on the table, but opted against playing for what would’ve been his 14th black of the break, taking the easier pink.
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O’Sullivan refused to pursue the maximum because the prize for a 147 was £12,000, and he didn’t deem it worthy of his efforts.
“If it had been more, I’d have gone for the 147,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport.
“It’s like going into a Mercedes garage and when they say that you can have the car for £3,000, you reply, ‘No way, that’s too cheap. I’m not buying it for that’. Certain things have value, and a 147 is a special moment. I want it to feel special all round.”
However, World Snooker chairman Hearn wasn’t happy with the sport’s biggest star, saying “this is not a crime, but a shame,” and calling his actions “unnacceptable” and “disrespectful.”
“Players have a duty to the fans to deliver the best standard and entertainment they can. Anything less than playing to their best ability is unacceptable and disrespectful to the paying public.”
