3 months ago
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SHAUN MURPHY believes the new LIV Golf-style snooker tour was a “wind-up”.
Rumours have swirled over the last year of a rebel tour forming to rival the World Snooker Tour.
Getty
GettyThe potential breakaway circuit would split the sport in two, similarly to how LIV has impacted the world of golf.
Following its foundation in 2021, several top golfers defected from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed league.
Meanwhile, the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan were understood to have been approached by Far East backers over a potential new snooker tour.
However, Murphy is unconvinced their was any truth to the rumours after being asked if the potential breakaway had been scuppered by last week’s Saudi Arabia Masters and its £2.3million prize fund.
The Magician told the Mirror: “Talk of that seems to have gone very quiet. It was very loud nine months to a year ago.
“There was a lot of talk floating around with the ‘Macau five’. I haven’t heard anything about it. You never know if it was a wind-up or not. You would put it past people. It may have been a wind-up.”
The so-called ‘Macau Five’ refers to Luca Brecel, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Ali Carter and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
They were involved in a row with the WST in 2023 after saying they would skip the Northern Ireland Open to appear in a lucrative exhibition event in Macau.
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In response, then WST chairman Barry Hearn threatened sanctions including potential legal action, fines and bans before the row was resolved.
The WST has since relaxed its rules on player contracts to allow stars to play in exhibitions as long as they do not clash with WST events.
Meanwhile, the calendar has expanded for this season with new events including the Saudi Arabia Masters.
Held in Riyadh last week, the event featured a £2.3million prize fund and £500,000 for the winner Judd Trump.
The Ace in the Pack beat Murphy in the semi-finals on his way to the title, with the world number eight taking home £100,000 as a result.
GettyInside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
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