World Masters of Snooker set $1million Golden Ball prize pot as top potters given massive Saudi incentive

World snooker champ Kyren Wilson reckons the introduction of a new $1million "golden ball" shows just how far the sport has come.

Wilson claimed the first Crucible crown of his career in Sheffield last season. And he is buzzing to see the game continue to grow as it expands into the Middle East in what is fast becoming a new hotbed for the green baize. An extra $500,000 (£385,200) in prize money was up for grabs last season, provided the star potters completed a maximum 147 break then putted the golden ball to claim the jackpot.

Now that prize has been doubled in a bid to attract more of the world's elite players to the ever more popular Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker, which runs 18-20 December in Boulevard City. And Wilson reckons that shows that snooker is in "rude health." He told the Daily Mirror: “It’s exciting there’s lots of new opportunities. There’s a big snooker following in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia it has already proven to have a good following.

“The Middle East and throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a really important hub for snooker. I hope it grows and grows there, I’ve really enjoyed my time there. They’re prepared to invest in the game, so it’s a really promising future for snooker.”

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Belgium’s Luca Brecel to become the competitions inaugural champ. The ‘Rocket’ pocketed £250,000 for winning and set up a money making snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, and he joined Wilson in throwing his eight behind the competition.

“It has been a fantastic tournament at a brilliant venue and the crowd have been amazing,” said O’Sullivan. All the players enjoyed the culture and hospitality. These are the tournaments I really want to play in, with a great