Who is set to become new snooker world No. 1? Can Ronnie O'Sullivan hold coveted position at end of season?

ByEurosport

Published 02/03/2024 at 13:50 GMT

The world's top eight head to Saudi Arabia for the start of the three-day Riyadh Season World Masters on Monday, but face a battle in the world rankings when they return with the three remaining events of the season set to determine who become the sport's No. 1 next season with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Luca Brecel, Mark Allen, Judd Trump and Mark Selby all in the mix for top spot.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has held the world No. 1 spot since claiming his record-equalling seventh world title in 2022 – an unbroken 23-month stay at the top – but the snooker GOAT faces a fight to retain the coveted position next season.

Ahead of the final three ranking events of the season – the World Open in Yushan, Tour Championship in Manchester and World Championship in Sheffield – the UK and Masters champion is provisionally ranked fifth in the end-of-season world rankings, 355,000 points behind Allen's projected finishing total.

Champion of Champions winner and Players Championship winner Allen is set to see his consistency in claiming six of his 11 career ranking titles over the past three years rewarded by becoming world No. 1 for the first time in his 19-year stint on the main circuit unless O'Sullivan finishes with a flourish.

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But there are still huge winner's cheques available this season which could yet see any of the top 16 threaten to drastically alter the make-up of the latest standings.

The World Open (18-24 March) has a £170,000 first prize, the Tour Championship (1-7 April) £150,000 and the World Championship (20 April-6 May) carries a £500,000 winner's cheque.

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Elsewhere, former world champions John Higgins and Neil Robertson require a strong end to the 2023/24 season to protect their respective places in the top 16.

World No. 9 Higgins is 17th on the latest list, 22,000 points adrift of Day in 16th spot, while world No. 14 Robertson occupies 31st spot on 133,500 points.

Higgins has not been outside of the top 16 since the start of the 1994/95 season with Robertson an ever-present in the top 16 since 2004/05.

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Provisional world rankings 2024/25

1. Mark Allen (NI) 895,000
2. Luca Brecel (Bel) 681,500
3. Judd Trump (Eng) 661,000
4. Mark Selby (Eng) 619,500
5. Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 540,000
6. Shaun Murphy (Eng) 459,000
7. Ali Carter (Eng) 394,000
8. Gary Wilson (Eng) 381,500
9. Zhang Anda (Chn) 371,000
10. DIng Junhui (Chn) 363,500
11. Kyren Wilson (Eng) 335,000
12. Mark Williams (Wal) 307,500
13. Tom Ford (Eng) 290,500
14. Barry Hawkins (Eng) 276,000
15. Robert Milkins (Eng) 264,500
16. Ryan Day (Wal) 255,500

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