Snooker championship delayed in latest gaffe from Saudi tournament with no explanation given
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Organisers of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship have been forced to delay the second day of the tournament by an hour in the latest mishap at this year's event.
The Riyadh tournament debuted on the World Snooker Tour last season with Ronnie O'Sullivan lifting the trophy.
The non-ranking event stands out on the tour with the golden ball on offer to players who hit a 147 break.
The gold ball is worth an extra 20 points and any player that pots it will receive $1m an extra prize money.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is in Saudi Arabia to defend his title
XZhang Anda looked on course to achieve the historic maximum on the opening day of the tournament when a power failure disrupted his rhythm.
Lights in the arena flickered on and off before the power went out for 30 minutes with Anda having to recompose himself when he returned.
The Chinese snooker star's maximum effort soon derailed after his return and he was unable to get another better opportunity.
And the second day of the tournament has also failed to get underway without an issue.
The World Snooker Tour announced on social media that the start of play would be delayed by an hour.
"Today's afternoon session will now begin at 6pm local time, 3pm GMT, where Mark Allen takes on Mark Selby for a chance at the 167 prize & a place in the semi-final tomorrow.
"The second match will commence N/B 7pm local time, 4pm GMT."
Mark Selby's match against Mark Allen was set to be followed by Kyren Wilson's clash with Luca Brecel in the afternoon session.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is playing in the evening session
GETTYThe evening session is currently unaffected by the delays with Judd Trump starting the night against Mark Williams.
O'Sullivan will then begin the defence of his title against Ding Junhui with the match likely running late into the night.
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Mark Selby and Mark Allen's match was pushed back
GettyThe $1m prize on offer for the historic 167 break has been praised by the likes of O'Sullivan, but Trump isn't too bothered by it.
"If it was $10million I'd go all out for it. $1million is a lot of money, but it wouldn't really change my life at the moment," Trump said.
John Higgins came closest in the inaugural tournament to potting the gold ball after missing the yellow with a score of 120.
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