‘If I can’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan hints he could miss major snooker tournament

Ronnie O’Sullivan has once again hinted he could snub the Masters in 2026 as he lines up his plans for next year.

The record eight-time winner could miss the non-ranking event after moving to Dubai this summer.

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O’Sullivan has been forced to be choose which events he competes in carefully after relocating.

Tax reasons mean he cannot be in the UK for longer than permitted without being penalised.

As a result, certain events have taken priority for the Rocket, notably the World Snooker Championship in April.

O’Sullivan has also earmarked next week’s UK Championship and the Tour Championship as other tournaments he will target.

It means a ninth Masters title may have to wait until at least 2027.

Discussing his schedule, O’Sullivan said as quoted by The Sun: “I’ll try and come back if I can.

“There’s the flying involved, the expenses involved. It’s not a short flight.

“Maybe next season I might play a few more (in the UK). But this year I just want to settle in Dubai and play as many tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia as I can.

“I’d love to play the UK Championship and the Tour Championship if I can.

“Probably just be two tournaments this year in the UK before the World Championship.

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“It’s hard with all the travel and all that. I’m not getting any younger so I have to prioritise.

“The dogs love it. I was worried they wouldn’t like the sun but they go out there and chill in the sun. It’s fine for them, everything’s air conditioned so they’re comfortable.”

Will O’Sullivan play the Masters?

The Masters will see the world’s top 16 players face-off at Alexandra Palace in January.

World no.5 O’Sullivan is on course to qualify for the non-ranking event.

The last of his eight titles came in 2024, with the 49-year-old also a beaten finalists at the Masters six times during his career.

However, it is not the first time he has suggested he could snub the latest edition of the tournament.

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Speaking to talkSPORT in September, O’Sullivan explained: “I probably won’t play the Masters this year.

“I moved to Dubai, a lot of my work is in China and the Middle East so it made sense to be near. The jet lag was crucifying. It’s not that easy to just get on a plane and come back to the UK.

“I think I’m just going to play the UK Championship, hopefully the Tour Championship if I’ve done enough, which I think I have because I did well in Saudi.

“Then the World Championship, it would be nice to win that one more time before I snap another cue.”

O’Sullivan is set to return to action at the UK Championship in York, with the main draw scheduled to get underway on Saturday.

Ahead of the event, he was knocked out of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship at the first hurdle last week.

Shaun Murphy secured a 4-0 triumph over O’Sullivan in round two in Saudi Arabia.

He is seeded sixth at the UK Championship, where he is also an eight-time winner, and will face a qualifier in the opening round of the main draw.