SNOOKER GREAT Ronnie O’Sullivan added another chapter to his colourful career on Wednesday by refusing to shake hands with his opponent and the referee before a match at the Scottish Open on health grounds.
Traditionally, players shake hands with each other and the official before play begins but five-times world champion O’Sullivan was reluctant to do just that in Glasgow because of health concerns.
Instead, he tried to fist bump both James Cahill and the referee before triumphing 4-0 in an all-English contest.
“I’ll admit I’m a bit OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) with germs,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport after the match.
I don’t open door handles, I always have tissues on door handles. I am a bit OCD like that,” the 44-year-old added.
“I have got a bit of a germ thing. It’s easier to do that and I don’t get any germs.”
Cahill recorded a shock win over O’Sullivan at last year’s World Championship but ‘the Rocket’ was too strong for the 23-year-old on Wednesday, taking just over 30 minutes to complete a whitewash win.
Meanwhile, China’s Ding Junhui, who won the UK Championship title last weekend, advanced into the last 32 with a 4-0 win over compatriot Mei Xiwen secured with breaks of 132 and 100.
Reigning champion Mark Allen beat Louis Heathcote 4-1.
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About time. The coverage of the Masters this week has been very poor from the 42. Trump really maturing.
@Conor Houlihan: Nobody is interested that’s why.
@Derek Kelly☘: I wouldn’t agree with that. Just because you have no interest doesn’t mean nobody does. Snooker is absolutely massive in UK & Asia so your argument is flawed my friends.
@Conor Houlihan: been a busy few weeks for him trying to win this and get his wall built! Fair play!
@Derek Kelly☘: why did you click into the article so?
Hopefully Trump kicks on from here. Serious player on his day
the crowd bursting into applause and whistling after practically every shot Ronnie plays is ridiculous.
Ronnie had been quite poor by his standards all week. Seemed fragile this week, making mistakes that you wouldn’t associate with a player of his genius, hitting the bulk colours during safety exchanges and not getting to grips with the speed of the clothe. Hopefully Ronnie will roar back in the worlds, along with Selby, Robertson and a few others. Well done Judd, 10-10 in head to heads with Ronnie, and beaten him in the last two finals and still under 30.
@Dan Finlay: Bulk colours?
Over powers hahahaha