Luca Brecel, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Williams, Carter, Higgins, Ding, Alajlani and Alobaidli will all play before O’Sullivan and can take the maiden 167 and cash prize away from him.
O’Sullivan would likely be furious should he get to the table for the first time at the tournament knowing that a £395k bonus is already out of reach through no fault of his own, with question marks over the schedule and rulemakers behind this week’s lucrative Saudi event.
The Rocket has already admitted that the money is on his mind. When told that players can make a 167 in the Middle East, O’Sullivan’s first response was: “What’s the prize for a 167? Have they announced it? I’m sure that it will be a hefty prize.”
But that award could be handed to one of his rivals instead, should they make the new maximum on the first two days of play.
