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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘So unpredictable' – Snooker fans baffled as ‘one of more confusing players on the tour' knocks in staggering 147 break
CHINESE snooker star Fan Zhengyi scored the first maximum break of the new 2025 season - after a disappointing year. The world No.48 shocked fans when he hit an incredible 147 at the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday. Advertisement 2 Fan Zhengyi scored an incredible 147 during the first tournament of the new season Credit: X @CLSnooker 2 It was the second maximum break of his young career Credit: X @CLSnooker Fan became only the 38th player in the modern history of the sport to compile multiple maximums, scoring his first at the English Open in 2024. The perfect break came in the second frame of the match which finished 2-2. The highlight of the 147 was a tough cutback yellow to a blind pocket on 120, as he hit the white off three cushions to come back for the green in baulk. David Hendon on commentary said: "First of the season, but we know with the quality of players, it won't be the last. Fantastic from Fan Zhengyi." Advertisement READ MORE SNOOKER But his opponent Xu did not let Fan's effort get to him, as he recovered from 2-0 behind to earn a 2-2 draw in finishing the day unbeaten. However, supporters couldn't believe Fan's achievement after the disappointing year he's had, failing to make it past the last-32 of any competition. One posted on X: "Fan is one of the more confusing players on tour. Looks unbelievable sometimes but really unpredictable. "He's not won a match yet this season, but made a 147. Also lost a frame to Highfield who needed 3 snookers. Tough to predict." Advertisement Most read in Snooker Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While another added: " Definitely in the top-10 of most confusing players!" It was the 218th 147 in professional snooker history and first of the 2025/26 season. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van But Fan, who has won just three matches this calendar year, was dumped out of the competition with a haul of just two points. Advertisement Xu Si instead topped Group 29 with a record of two wins and a draw, beating Michal Szubarczyk and Liam Highfield before securing a tie with Fan to safeguard his spot in the last 32. The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four. Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November. Advertisement List of all-time Snooker World Champions BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport. The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport. Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - 1971 - John Spencer 1972 - Alex Higgins 1973 - Ray Reardon (2) 1974 - Ray Reardon (3) 1975 - Ray Reardon (4) 1976 - Ray Reardon (5) 1977 - John Spencer (2) 1978 - Ray Reardon (6) 1979 - Terry Griffiths 1980 - Cliff Thorburn 1981 - 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - Mark Williams (2) 2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) 2005 - Shaun Murphy 2006 - Graeme Dott 2007 - John Higgins (2) 2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 2009 - John Higgins (3) 2010 - Neil Robertson 2011 - John Higgins (4) 2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4) 2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former World Snooker champion Neil Robertson lands new job – and it could affect Ronnie O'Sullivan
NEIL ROBERTSON has landed himself a new job, which could have an impact on snooker rival Ronnie O'Sullivan. Three months after his shock first-round exit at the World Championship , the Aussie has bagged himself a new gig with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 2 Neil Robertson has landed himself a new gig three months after his shock World Snooker Championship Credit: ALAMY 2 The Aussie has been added to the WPBSA's Players' Board Credit: GETTY Robertson has been added to the WPBSA's Players' Board, a role which will require him to represent and support players outside of the UK on the World Snooker Tour. A snippet of WPBSA statement read: "It has today been announced that Neil Robertson has been co-opted to join the Board of WPBSA Players with immediate effect. "The 2010 world champion is widely regarded as one of the best long-potters and break-builders in the history of the sport and has won an incredible 25 ranking titles as well as being one of only 11 players in history to complete the Triple Crown. "In 2014, he became the first player to compile over 100 century breaks during a single season. "As the most successful player to ever come from Fan favourite Robertson is over the moon with his new gig. He said: "It is an honour to have the opportunity to represent the views and feelings of my fellow professionals. "And to be able to use my own personal experiences to help the next generation of players." Most read in Snooker JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie? Robertson isn't the only player to have recently been handed a gig by the WPBSA. The organisation recently appointed Ben Woollson as their second-ever player-director in June, five months after Mark Davis' appointment. Snooker star Neil Robertson told he could win World Championship again if he ignores Crucible concerns Woollaston said: "I am pleased to join the board of WPBSA Governance and be able to provide representation for player issues at the highest level of our sport. "As a professional snooker player for over 20 years, I have been privileged to see first-hand the development of our sport during that time and to live the highs and lows of competing on the World Snooker Tour. "I look forward to sharing my experience with the team at the WPBSA and to helping shape the future development of our sport, from grassroots level to the professional circuit." Woollaston and Davis will work in conjunction with Nigel Mawer and governance director Nigel Oldfield to oversee the direction the body is taking.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘The tide is starting to turn' – Snooker chiefs contemplating major rule change after Shaun Murphy pleas ‘for 20 years'
SHOT CLOCKS in snooker have taken a major step to becoming a reality. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson has opened the door to a conversation about implementing them in sport for the first time. 3 Murphy feels that the current rule requiring referees to step in to halt slow play places too much of a burden on the officials Credit: Alamy 3 Murphy won the World Snooker Championships in 2005 at the age of 22 Credit: PA The concept of a snooker shot clock has been championed by Shaun Murphy, who claims the the idea is growing in popularity. Murphy - a former world champion - notably While on commentary duties, Murphy noted Allen's slow pace of play and suggested it was a tactic to throw opponent Barry Hawkins off his game. After Allen's rebuttal on X, Murphy was questioned as to what the sport could do to improve the situation. READ MORE ON SNOOKER He said: 'I'd bring in a shot clock. And I've been saying this for 20 years, so I'm super-consistent on this. '30 seconds. I think a shock clock that is unemotive, unemotional. "It can't be swayed, it's not open to opinion – takes all of the pressure off the referees." Speaking on the changing attitudes towards the suggestion in the snooker world, Murphy added: "Years ago, I got widely criticised for wanting a shot clock - now the tide is starting to turn. Most read in Snooker 3 Murphy claims to have advocated for the change for two decades amid opposition to the idea from the snooker community Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I think, in years to come, we will see it become a thing.' Now WPBSA chief Ferguson has opened the door to a conversation on the topic. Shaun Murphy reveals one of darkest moments of his career before bouncing back to win Masters Speaking on "One thing I'd like to see is perhaps a more open look at shot times." While Murphy might view the admission as a step in the right direction, the statement had an air of compromise to it, as Ferguson would go on to caveat his opinion. He said: "The major events I don't think you need to muck around with. "The World Championship should always be the hardest test. Stamina, skill, bottle, everything. "Now the tide is starting to turn, not in totality, but it is starting to turn and I think, in years to come, we'll see it become a thing.' List of all-time Snooker World Champions BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport. The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport. Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - 1971 - John Spencer 1972 - Alex Higgins 1973 - Ray Reardon (2) 1974 - Ray Reardon (3) 1975 - Ray Reardon (4) 1976 - Ray Reardon (5) 1977 - John Spencer (2) 1978 - Ray Reardon (6) 1979 - Terry Griffiths 1980 - Cliff Thorburn 1981 - 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - Mark Williams (2) 2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) 2005 - Shaun Murphy 2006 - Graeme Dott 2007 - John Higgins (2) 2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 2009 - John Higgins (3) 2010 - Neil Robertson 2011 - John Higgins (4) 2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4) 2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Snooker rule change could yet come into effect with boss open to it after Shaun Murphy demand
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson has admitted he'd be open to looking at shot times in snooker after Shaun Murphy's call for the introduction of shot clocks World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson has revealed he's willing to examine shot times in snooker following Shaun Murphy 's call for shot clocks to be introduced. The former world champion made his proposal last December after criticising Mark Allen for what he claimed was intentional slow play during the UK Championship semi-final against Barry Hawkins whilst working as a BBC commentator. Following Allen's social media response to Murphy's commentary, the 42-year-old addressed his fellow professional on his Onefourseven Podcast, proposing that shot clocks would help officials sidestep issuing slow play warnings to players. "I'd bring in a shot clock," Murphy declared last year. "And I've been saying this for 20 years, so I'm super-consistent on this." When co-host Phil Seymour enquired about the time limit per shot, Murphy replied: "30 seconds. I think a shock clock that is unemotive, unemotional – it can't be swayed, it's not open to opinion – takes all of the pressure off the referees. "This section of the rules puts our referees in a terrible position where some of them get involved and warn a player who's fighting. If we had shot clock, and you can negotiate on 30 seconds... years ago, I got widely criticised for wanting a shot clock. "Now the tide is starting to turn, not in totality, but it is starting to turn and I think, in years to come, we'll see it become a thing." Ferguson recently featured on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips, where he discussed potential changes to the professional snooker tour. "I think we've always got to be open-minded about change," Ferguson responded when asked by the Scottish snooker legend. He then shared his willingness to consider an in-depth examination of shot times, adding: "Dress code is something you can tamper with a little bit but I'd still like to see the big events protected. One thing I'd like to see is perhaps a more open look at shot times." The Express reports how Hendry was more conservative regarding alterations to major tournaments, saying: "The major events I don't think you need to muck around with. The World Championship should always be the hardest test. Stamina, skill, bottle, everything." Reflecting on last year's disagreement between Murphy and Allen, where the former accused the latter of slow play, it was 'The Magician' who expressed "admiration" for Allen's tactics. "I'm employed by the BBC to call the game as I see it, and that's what I did. I don't remember ever saying that there was anything wrong with what he did," he mentioned on the podcast. "I said he was perfectly within his rights, perfectly within the rules. And if I'm totally honest, I was watching in admiration because he was breaking down a player who the day before had slaughtered me."
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Snooker chief willing to listen over huge rule change after Shaun Murphy plea
Shaun Murphy had an idea to eliminate slow play from snooker (Image: BBC) World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson has expressed his willingness to potentially implement shot clocks in snooker. It comes following Shaun Murphy's call for their introduction. The former world champion raised the issue last December, criticising Mark Allen for slow play during his UK Championship semi-final against Barry Hawkins while providing commentary for the BBC. Murphy, who addressed the matter on social media after Allen's rebuttal, further discussed it on his Onefourseven Podcast, advocating for a shot clock to alleviate the burden on officials around slow play warnings. "I'd bring in a shot clock," Murphy declared last year. "And I've been saying this for 20 years, so I'm super-consistent on this." In conversation with co-host Phil Seymour regarding the duration each shot should be allotted, Murphy suggested: "30 seconds. I think a shock clock that is unemotive, unemotional – it can't be swayed, it's not open to opinion – takes all of the pressure off the referees. "This section of the rules puts our referees in a terrible position where some of them get involved and warn a player who's fighting. "If we had shot clock, and you can negotiate on 30 seconds... years ago, I got widely criticised for wanting a shot clock. "Now the tide is starting to turn, not in totality, but it is starting to turn and I think, in years to come, we'll see it become a thing." The WPBSA chief had his say on Murphy's shot clock suggestion Earlier this week, Ferguson appeared on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips, where he was asked by the Scotsman about potential changes to the professional tour. "I think we've always got to be open-minded about change," Ferguson replied. He expressed his willingness to reconsider shot times, saying: "Dress code is something you can tamper with a little bit but I'd still like to see the big events protected. One thing I'd like to see is perhaps a more open look at shot times." However, Hendry was hesitant to alter the sport's major tournaments, stating: "The major events I don't think you need to muck around with. The World Championship should always be the hardest test. Stamina, skill, bottle, everything." Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy got into a spat last December (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Murphy discussed the controversy between himself and Allen last year, where he had praised Allen's strategy later in his podcast. He said (via the Express): "I'm employed by the BBC to call the game as I see it, and that's what I did. I don't remember ever saying that there was anything wrong with what he did. "I said he was perfectly within his rights, perfectly within the rules. And if I'm totally honest, I was watching in admiration because he was breaking down a player who the day before had slaughtered me."
