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Ronnie O’Sullivan wins Tour Championship to become world No1 again

The Essex potter was delighted after winning his 36th trophie, but complained about having too much grey hair

EVERGREEN Ronnie O’Sullivan lifted the Tour Championship last night and became the sport’s oldest world No1 for 36 years.

But the 43-year-old joked he is struggling with old age, saying: "I’ve got far too much grey hair now!"

 Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Neil Robertson to claim his 36th title and become world's No1 again
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Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Neil Robertson to claim his 36th title and become world's No1 againCredit: Getty - Contributor

The five-time world snooker champion received a cheque for £150,000 as he beat Aussie Neil Robertson 13-11 in the final in Llandudno, North Wales.

O’Sullivan has now replaced Leicester’s Mark Selby at the summit of the snooker rankings – the first time he has been there since 2010.

And the Essex potter becomes the golden oldie of the baize, the oldest man at the top since Welshman Ray Reardon (50) in 1983.

O’Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry's long-standing tally of 36 ranking titles, and he said: "I’ve never been driven by being No1. If I was, I’d enter a few more tournaments.

"But to get there only having played half of the tournaments as the other guys, it’s probably one of the best achievements in sport across all levels. I’m delighted.

"It’s about getting silverware towards the end of my career as I’m ready for the Seniors Tour now.

"Whatever happens, it has been a good career. I’m too old for all this business. It’s too much hard work, trying to catch up with these youngsters, with all this grey hair. It’s not easy.

"Equalling Stephen Hendry's tally is a special one. It shows longevity in a career."

Whatever happens, it has been a good career. I’m too old for all this business. It’s too much hard work, trying to catch up with these youngsters, with all this grey hair. It’s not easy

Ronnie O'Sullivan

O’Sullivan trounced Robertson in the Players Championship two weeks ago but this time he had a harder battle on his hand.

Robertson, 37, fell 5-3 behind after the overnight session but levelled up at 8-8 yesterday afternoon.

Stephen Hendry, the seven-time world champion, claimed switched-off O’Sullivan was "verging on boredom" during two or three frames and attributed that lack of concentration to why he has struggled in the longer format of the game.

Yet O’Sullivan was soon back to his best, responding in the evening session with a 129 break in the 17th frame – his 60th century of the season from 10 tournaments.

And he clinched this inaugural eight-man event with a stylish 96 break, showing why he will be the man to beat at next month's world championships at the Crucible.

Robertson recently celebrated the birth of his second child, and he said: "Overall, it has been a brilliant week. I would have taken getting to the final.

"We both could have played better, but you won’t get the highest quality over three session and 25 frames. We both fought so hard.

"Congratulations to Ronnie on being world No1 again. Every time we seem to play it’s a milestone of sorts.

"I’m playing the Roger Federer equivalent of the snooker table. No, in fact he’s even better than that. At least he let me play more than last time."

 O'Sullivan has became the sport’s oldest world No1 for 36 years
2
O'Sullivan has became the sport’s oldest world No1 for 36 yearsCredit: Getty - Contributor
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan threatens to quit World Championship this year for the Seniors Tour
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