Exclusive: Mark Allen Calls for Golden Ball Change to Unlock Historic $1M 167 Break

Snooker star Mark Allen believes organisers should change the position of the Golden Ball if they want someone to make history with the first ever 167 break.

There is a mouthwatering $1million pre-Christmas bonus up for grabs, doubled from last year, for the first player to make a 167 at this week’s Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.

The sport’s top stars including defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, world No.1 Judd Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson have descended on the Saudi Arabian desert chasing the mammoth windfall.

The Golden Ball, placed midway along the top cushion, is worth 20 points after a traditional 147 maximum.

But world No.5 Allen, who faces four-time world champion Mark Selby on Wednesday, told SportsBoom.com: “If anyone can pot that along that baulk cushion for a million dollars then they deserve it."

“I genuinely think if they want to see a bit of history with the 167 then they should put it somewhere else."

“Outside of maybe Ronnie, I don’t know who could pot that ball for a million. It’s a massive amount of money."

“I know John [Higgins] had a chance last year and he said his hands and legs were shaking because it was a lot of money."

“You’re talking about a four-time world champion and one of the greatest ever. If he’s talking like that, what chance have the rest of us got."

“They could put it somewhere more sensible and then a lot more people would go for it I think."

“Because of where it is, a lot of people would be put off by it straightaway."

“For argument’s sake if people knew it was going on the blue spot once you pot the blue and pink it would make it a bit more exciting.”

Asked how he reckons he would fare with the pressure of a potential $1million on his shoulders, Allen replied: “I don’t think I’d be able to feel my hands, I’d just be trying to get the cue through as best I can and be hoping for the best really."

“It’s got people talking. We’re talking about it now. It’s a clever thing they’ve done for the event."

“The event itself is a great event, but that bonus is a major talking point.”

WILL ANYONE MAKE HISTORY IN SAUDI?

Snooker's biggest stars have differing takes over whether or not they will be going for a slice of history, even with the massive prizepot on offer.

O'Sullivan said: "I’ve tried potting the black and going up to the baulk cushion to get the golden ball. I’ve practiced a few of them shots because obviously if you get the chance you want to give yourself a good chance of getting that last ball, but it’s a big ask. 

"Best of seven, three matches. I know John came close last year. I’m sure someone will have an opportunity to get it. Big prize. $1million. No one’s ever won a prize like that in snooker ever before."

But runaway world No.1 Trump is more focused on ending 2024 with a sixth trophy of the calendar year.

He said: "I won’t be going for it every frame. For me you still want to win the tournament first. Maybe for some of the other players."

“For me, the way I have performed over the past five or six years, I’ve probably put myself into the position where I don’t have to worry about those prizes. You can kind of let them come to you."

“There’s no doubt if there’s an opportunity then you will be trying to make it a little bit more than maybe if there was a £5,000 top break prize."

“It’s great for the game. It gets people talking. The world revolves around money a lot more these days and that’s what makes headlines. I'd love someone to make it because it would be amazing for snooker, just not against me!"