Eight-time Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will get the chance to defend his crown at the Alexandra Palace in London in early 2025, despite a first-round exit in the UK Championship. The Rocket remains inside the world’s top 16 players, guaranteeing him a place in the Masters line-up.
HUGE Win for the Hawk! 👏#VPUKChampionship | @Victorianplumb pic.twitter.com/KOZXZNgO1h
— WST (@WeAreWST) November 23, 2024
O’Sullivan was defeated 6-4 by Barry Hawkins in York. He led that match 4-2 but the Hawk produced some heavy scoring to win four consecutive frames to knock out the former world number one.
Record Holder Now Chooses His Own Schedule
Unlike many of the players on the World Snooker Tour, O’Sullivan plays a reduced schedule now. This is going to make it harder for the Rocket to reel in Judd Trump at the top of the world rankings. Trump is the +110 favorite in the UK championship odds, where victory would extend his lead at the top of the standings.
The focus now for O’Sullivan will be the Masters. He is +350 in the snooker betting to win that event for a record-extending ninth time. With it being held in London, the 48-year-old can stay at his own home, something which has been key to his success in the tournament, according to the Essex-born potter.
O’Sullivan has committed to playing more exhibition events this year in China and the Middle East. His UK Championship appearance was just his third of the season, as he also featured in the International Open and Champions of Champions.
Bidding For 24th Triple Crown Success
When he lifted the Masters title for the eighth time in January 2024, Ronnie O’Sullivan won his 23rd Triple Crown event (UK Championship, Masters, and World Snooker Championship). The next best on the Triple Crown standings is Stephen Hendry with 18 wins.
O’Sullivan has won at least one Triple Crown event in 11 of the last 13 seasons. As the defending champion, he is the number one seed in the draw for the 2025 Masters. He will be on the opposite side of the draw to Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson, as those two players are the second and third seeds respectively.
World Championship Primary Aim
Delighted to be nominated on the BBC Sports Personality of the year 2022 shortlist. Tune in tomorrow from 6.45pm on @BBCOne #BBCSPOTY pic.twitter.com/Ow37Uu0mah
— Ronnie O’Sullivan (@ronnieo147) December 20, 2022
The Rocket will return to Crucible Theatre in April for his 33rd consecutive appearance in the World Snooker Championship. O’Sullivan prevailed in the tournament in 2022, matching Hendry’s record of seven world titles. He became the oldest winner of the tournament at the age of 46 years and 168 days.
The 17-day tournament in Sheffield will be the primary target for O’Sullivan this season. The winner picks up a cheque for £500,000, and should that be the Rocket, he will become the most successful player in the history of the showpiece event in the sport.
O’Sullivan reached the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship last season, before losing to the 29thseed Stuart Bingham 13-10 in their last eight encounter.
The 2025 Masters tournament takes place between January 12-19, and there will be a total of 15 matches at the event, with the final played in a best of 19 frames contest.
