- Rocket Ronnie claims record extending eighth UK title
- Final session charge secures win
- O’Sullivan and Trump favourites for other Triple Crown events
Ronnie O’Sullivan has etched his name into the annals of snooker history by becoming the oldest-ever UK champion at the age of 47.
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O’Sullivan becomes oldest winner of UK Championship three decades after becoming the youngest winner
The legendary player secured his record-extending eighth UK Championship title with a 10-7 victory over Ding Junhui in York, just two days before his 48th birthday. This triumph marks a full three decades since O’Sullivan, at the age of 17, became the youngest player to win the UK Championship.
The final session of the match was a closely contested affair, with the score tied at 4-4. However, O’Sullivan displayed his class by pulling ahead, delivering four half-centuries and two centuries to claim the victory and the £250,000 top prize.
O’Sullivan’s remarkable longevity in the sport surpasses Doug Mountjoy’s previous record set in 1988 when he won his second UK title at the age of 46. Reflecting on his achievement, O’Sullivan expressed his ongoing passion for the game, stating, “I always keep beating myself up because of the age thing. I keep thinking at some point you have to stop winning, but I am doing all right, and I will keep on going until the wheels fall off.”
This latest milestone adds to O’Sullivan’s extensive list of accomplishments, particularly in snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events, which include the Masters, UK Championship, and World Championship. With 22 trophies across these events, he is now four titles ahead of Scotland’s Stephen Hendry.
Despite being selective about his tournament appearances, O’Sullivan’s performances against top opponents earlier in the competition showcased his ability to deliver on the big stage. In the final against Ding Junhui, he continued to demonstrate his prowess, ultimately securing his 40th ranking title with a sublime break of 129.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s enduring success and his ability to stay at the pinnacle of the sport make him a true icon in snooker, leaving an indelible mark on the game’s history.
Betting Implications
As the Rocket moves into his late forties he is still the man to beat, despite having been one of the best in the world since he was a teenager. As far as the other triple crown tournaments this season are concerned, O’Sullivan is right up there with the bookies favourites. At the time of writing, BetUK have the Londoner priced at 4/1 for the Masters, making him joint favourite with Judd Trump. It is a similar story for the World Championships where the bookie again have the Rocket joint favourite with Trump. This time, at the time of writing, the pair are priced at 5/1.
Fancy a punt on the Rocket to win the Masters or the World Championships? Check out our top lists.
