Uninvited guest given shot at glory by O'Sullivan

London - Unpredictable English snooker great Ronnie O'Sullivan allowed a woman who evaded security to try and pot the black in his third round match at the English Open on Thursday.

The 41-year-old five-time world champion had compiled a match-winning break of 129 against Chinese opponent Zhang Yong before he handed the cue to the woman allowing her a chance at the black - she missed twice before being led from the arena.

"I really wanted her to pot it," O'Sullivan told broadcaster Eurosport.

"I didn't know what to do at first and she just said: 'I'm just having a jog, I'm just going for a jog.'

"And I was like: 'Go on then, carry on then, there's your jog, have a shot as well while you're at it.'

"I thought when the (security) guys came out they were going to rugby tackle her, but I thought, 'If you do that, you might kill her.'

"I saved her from getting a rugby tackle."

Another reason @ronnieo147 is and always will be the fan favourite ???? @WorldSnooker1 @BBCSport #EnglishOpen pic.twitter.com/5t3PF9x7Sj

— Tom Skinner (@TomSkinner01) October 19, 2017