After potting 15 reds and 14 blacks, Ronnie O'Sullivan decided against going for a 147 as he played to the crowd at the UK Championship.
The five-time world champion cruised into the second round of the Betway UK Championship at the York Barbican with a crushing 6-0 victory over 18-year-old Ross Bulman.
The 43-year-old swept aside Irish amateur to open his campaign at the first Triple Crown event of the season, notching a ton and four half-centuries en route to a comfortable victory.
The highlight, though was his break of 133 in the third frame, which was set up beautifully for a maximum 147 effort, only for O'Sullivan to cheekily go for a pink instead of a 15th black - drawing some playful banter from the crowd.
Despite making light work of the first step to defending his title in Yorkshire, the London potter was impressed with his 18-year-old opponent’s effort on one of snooker’s most prestigious stages.
“It certainly wasn’t easy,” he said. “I don’t know much about the guy but he’s young and he’s a very good prospect.
“It was hard for him out there because it’s not easy getting used to the table and the conditions, and I definitely think we’ll be seeing a lot more of him at some point.
“I’m pleased to get through and even at this early stage there was big crowd. It’s always nice when there are a lot of people cheering you on and I like to think I gave them value for money.”
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