Ronnie O'Sullivan has won a staggering £443,500 of prize money in the past 55 days since the beginning of the English Open in October, the first leg of Snooker's Home Nations series.
O'Sullivan, who continued his winning spree in York at the Betway UK Championship at the weekend where he pocketed the top prize of £170,000, meant he has pocketed nearly £500,000 in nearly eight weeks. It all started after claiming victory in Barnsley on 16th October.
He defeated Shaun Murphy 10 - 5 after six frames of flawless snooker to win his sixth UK title, equalling Steve Davis's record, and claiming his 18th Triple Crown Major, also going level with Stephen Hendry.
A huge congratulations to @ronnieo147. An amazing achievement to win 6 U.K. titles, was a pleasure to watch. Thanks for having me #york it’s been a wonderful two weeks. #glasgow let’s be having you! #scottishopen #uksnookerchampionship
— Shaun Murphy (@Magician147) December 11, 2017
The York win was also his 31st ranking title and he trails by just five behind Hendry's 36 record ranking title wins.
Relentless Rocket Ronnie
The 42-year-old's magical snooker began at the English Open, where he picked up £70,000, before wins at the Shanghai Masters (£150,000) UK Championship (£170,000), followed by finishing second at the Champion of Champions, collecting £50,000 and despite being knocked out at the Northern Ireland Open in the Last 32 round, he still earned £3,500.
His win at the English Open already guaranteed him a place in next year's Champion of Champions where he lost to Murphy and yet again The Rocket will be defending his record 7th Masters title in London at the Alexandra Palace next year in January.
The third leg of the Home Nations series begins this week in Glasgow with Hong Kong's Marco Fu defending his title he won last season.
O'Sullivan in numbers
Wit seven Masters titles to his name, O'Sullivan told World Snooker that he was looking forward to defending it.
He said: "It's a great event. Hopefully I can pick my game up and dominate a tournament rather than just scramble through."
And on playing snooker itself, which he says he enjoys and keeps him out of trouble, he added: "It'll keep me reeled in."
O'Sullivan is playing in the Scottish Open this week and faces Michael Georgiou, whom the Rocket had thrashed in York 6 - 1, but Mark Williams, a winner in Northern Ireland of his 19th ranking title has had to withdraw for personal reasons.
However, John Higgins is not far behind O'Sullivan in terms of ranking titles, needing just two to catch up to the Rocket's 29, having won in India early on in the season. Higgins, 42, reached the final of last season's Scottish Open and the Scot will be hoping to keep up with the winning streak of the Rocket.
