World Snooker on defensive
World Snooker have defended themselves after a furious blast from Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Last Updated: 19/10/11 5:46pm
World Snooker have defended themselves after a furious blast from three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
'The Rocket' claimed he felt like he is being "blackmailed" by the game's governing body, saying they are "raping" him by making ranking points available for their 12 Players Tour Championship events.
The sport's professional game body, run by promoter Barry Hearn, responded to O'Sullivan's controversial remarks by stressing there was no obligation to enter the PTC tournaments, which were introduced last season.
World Snooker also pointed out that prize money on the snooker tour has almost doubled inside the last two years, with a £70,000 jackpot for the champion at the PTC Grand Final.
Losing money
As one of the wealthier players on the professional circuit - O'Sullivan's career earnings top £6million - a minimal prize makes little difference, and he insists there are players lower down the ladder who are losing money by taking part in the tournaments, the next of which is in Killarney this weekend.
In a statement, World Snooker said: "We have a responsibility to provide events for all 99 players on the main tour and the PTC events offer playing opportunities for them.
"Players have the choice whether to enter each event. The top prize at each PTC may only be £10,000, but the top 24 at the end of the series go through to the Grand Final, when the top prize is £70,000.
"Two seasons ago there were only seven or eight events on the main tour calendar; now there are nearly 30 and total prize money has virtually doubled."