Top players now have the opportunity to win a massive £147,000 bonus this season, but they must make two maximum breaks over snooker’s three major events to do so.
As 147 breaks have grown more common in recent years, particular incentives for the maximum break have mostly vanished, leaving most events with only a high break award.
However, a type of 147 bonus has reappeared, with £147,000 on the line if anyone can hit two maximums in the UK Championship, Masters, and World Championship this season.
That is a tall order, but it has previously been accomplished by – you guessed it – Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket knocked in a maximum in the 2007 UK Championship against Mark Selby and then four months later made a 147 against Mark Williams at the World Championship.
O’Sullivan may have proved that it is possible, but it is not very likely and anyone who does land the bonus will very much deserve it.
The Masters has proved especially tough to make maximum breaks in, with just three in the history of the event, which is probably not that surprising as there are just 15 matches in the tournament each year.
World Snooker Tour Chairman Steve Dawson said: ‘There is nothing quite as exhilarating in snooker as a maximum break, those moments bring us to the edge of our seats. And we’re making that achievement all the more special this season during our Triple Crown events.
‘We’d love to see at least one player make a 147 at the MrQ UK Championship which would give them two more tournaments to chase the bonus. Last season we saw maximums from Kyren Wilson and Mark Selby at the Crucible – imagine the thrill if there was an extra £147,000 on the line!
‘The skill level in snooker now is higher than ever and we expect this new prize will give the players extra motivation to go for maximum breaks.’
WST add: ‘Up to three players could win this bonus, for example if three different players each made two 147s then they would each win £147,000. Or if one player made six maximums then he would bank £441,000.’
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