Just a few more ...
Barry Hearn it seems threatened Ronnie with disciplinary action if he did it again. That's pretty daft as there no ground at all for disciplinary action: when the frame is won and there is only the black on the table the player has no obligation to pot it. I checked with Dave Hendon and with a ref. That's nonsense and would only sent Ro balistic because he would pretty know it!
The media has reported Mark J Williams had "criticised" Ronnie for not potting that black. I just can't believe it people took that seriouly...
What Mark J said (according to various media and reported by Dave H on twitter) was
"I said when he was on 24 I thought he'd make a maximum.
He should have potted the black without messing about, or played a double on it or played safe.
But that's why people come to watch him, to see what he's going to do."
Can you imagine the havoc if Ronnie HAD played it safe? That would have been even more of a
Mark J has a very dry sense of humour that is clearly lost on most. So today he made it clear.
Two-time world champ MARK WILLIAMS defended O'Sullivan.
After beating Ali Carter 3-1 in Glasgow, Williams, 35, said: "Ronnie should have potted it. However, there should be a decent prize. I'm not sure where they get the money from but it shouldn't be hard to get £20,000 out of the prize fund.
(The Sun and others)
I'm glad one top player at least had the guts to say what they all think: that Ronnie has a valid point even if the way he made it was not the best. Because they would all benefit for it if he gets it through...
I'm almost certain Ronnie knew very well there was no prize money for a maxi. The reason he asked was to make the audience fully aware of it also.