RON-BELIEVABLE
Ronnie O’Sullivan misses ball FOUR TIMES in a row despite not being snookered in rarely-scene blunder from world champ
The Rocket was taking on Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN bizarrely awarded 16 points to Judd Trump in the early stages of frame four at the World Grand Prix final.
The Rocket met Trump in the showpiece match at Leicester's Morningside Arena.
4
4
4
4
Follow the World Grand Prix final with our live blog
O'Sullivan, 48, found himself in a tricky position down one end of the table and tried to hit the pack of reds off a couple of cushions.
But he missed on FOUR occasions and each time it was called a foul and a miss by the referee.
That meant that the ball was put back in its original spot and the world No.1 had to go again.
It is unusual to see the Rocket so sloppy with his shots.
READ MORE ON SNOOKER
Once the ref called a free ball, Trump decided to take the shot on and sank the yellow with style.
Fans were left baffled by O'Sullivan's out of sorts performance, as he frequently potted the white.
One wrote: "Ronnie O’Sullivan was never going to replicate his performance from last night but I didn’t expect him to come down this far!"
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
While a second commented: "Ronnie O’Sullivan played some of the best snooker of his career yesterday, so close to perfection. Today he’s trying to play some of the worst he’s ever played, it’s a strange game."
Most read in Other Sports
Following the afternoon session, O'Sullivan trailed Trump 5-3.
O'Sullivan booked his place in the final by demolishing China's Ding Junhui 6-1 yesterday.
After his win, the Rocket said: "I felt all right. It was tidy. Every shot felt in control. I felt relaxed and confident."
On his well-documented struggles for motivation, he added: "It's hard because when I've come and said what I've said this week, saying I'm not bothered if I win or lose, people pay good money to come and watch and when I say that I just mean that I'm struggling with myself.
"Sometimes it's hard to just keep that stamina and focus.
"No matter what I say and feel, I always put on a professional display mentally. Whether I play well or not is out of my control.
"I don't want people to think that I'm not trying, because I'm trying my hardest. Tonight was nice."