World Open winner Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was denied an excellent higher prize pot after being pipped to the publish by snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh had his prize cash minimize by World Open runner-up Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Thai expertise Thepchaiya Un-Nooh scooped the most important prize of his profession by far after profitable the World Open on Sunday. Nonetheless, the 40-year-old may have bagged considerably extra have been it not for Ronnie O’Sullivan. Un-Nooh secured the second rating title of his profession after beating O’Sullivan 10-7 within the Yushan decider.
And it noticed him stroll away with £175,000, greater than 5 occasions as a lot as he collected along with his solely earlier rating triumph on the 2019 Shoot Out, which awarded him £32,000. That being stated, Un-Nooh would have elevated his whole winnings to £225,000 have been it not for O’Sullivan snagging the bonus for the best break. That is after he made historical past by setting a brand new world file for the best break on file because of his mesmeric 153 throughout his quarter-final showdown with Ryan Day. ‘The Rocket’ added to his catalogue of snooker accolades by breaking the earlier file break of 148, which was set by Jamie Burnett through the 2004 UK Championship qualifiers. Often, the best most break in snooker is a 147, however O’Sullivan exploited a free ball opening in opposition to Day within the opening body to breach that threshold.
As destiny would have it, World Open champion Un-Nooh recorded a 147 within the ultimate, which might have been adequate to clinch the £75,000 break bonus underneath common circumstances. However O’Sullivan’s distinctive feat earlier within the competitors meant that prize was already accounted for.
O’Sullivan, 50, was totally gracious in defeat and put his opponent on a pedestal for his achievement. And the Englishman left followers in little doubt as to whom deserved the World Open crown.
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“I simply need to say effectively achieved to Thepchaiya, who performed unbelievable snooker,” he stated of the champion after Sunday’s finale. “I watched him play in opposition to Judd Trump final evening, and he made the No. 1 participant on the planet look second finest.
“I hoped he would not play like that at this time however he did. He gave me hiding, actually.”
Each single level of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s RECORD-BREAKING 153! ??????#WorldOpen pic.twitter.com/SsxtTDaylL
— WST (@WeAreWST) March 20, 2026


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Along with the monetary rewards gained in China, Un-Nooh has additionally risen to twenty second within the World Snooker Tour rankings. His victory has additionally earned him certainly one of 12 spots at subsequent week’s Tour Championship, which will get underway in Manchester subsequent Monday.
No matter how he fares at Manchester Central, the veteran will stay content material along with his show in opposition to O’Sullivan. And the most important payday of his profession to this point will even make it tough to neglect.
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“I simply needed to strive my finest as a result of I did not know after I is likely to be in one other ultimate once more,” stated Un-Nooh following his landmark win. “It is sort of a double dream ultimate now. This has all the time been my dream, to carry the title in opposition to Ronnie O’Sullivan within the ultimate.
“For the remainder of my life that is one thing I am not going to neglect. And to make a 147 within the ultimate in opposition to Ronnie O’Sullivan is a superb honour. That is my first time profitable a serious occasion and that is the most important prize of my profession. It’s a dream come true and a step ahead.”

















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