Snooker: O'Sullivan on top of the world after Tour Championship win

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Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan reclaimed the world No. one spot for the first time in nine years by winning the inaugural Tour Championship against Australian Neil Robertson on Sunday

The Englishman known as "The Rocket" led 5-3 overnight in Llandudno, Wales, UK, but Australian Robertson stayed in the contest until 10-10 after which O'Sullivan pulled away to win 13-11.

The 43-year-old is level with Scot Stephen Hendry on 36 ranking titles and in the top spot for the first time since May 2010 - the oldest man to lead the rankings since Welsh Ray Reardon in 1983.

Asked about matching Hendry, O'Sullivan said, "That's one of the records that's nice to get, the centuries was nice, the 19 majors was nice. Those three records are great. The only one now is the world titles but I don't see that happening."

Ronnie O'Sullivan competes at the inaugural Tour Championship in Llandudno, Wales, UK, March 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Earlier this month, O'Sullivan became the first player to compile 1,000 career century breaks en route to winning the Players Championship final in Preston. In snooker, the term a century break means a score of 100 points or more without missing a shot and requires potting at least 25 consecutive balls during one visit at the table

As well as five world titles, O'Sullivan has won a record seven Masters titles and a record seven UK Championships – the sport's Triple Crown tournaments known as the majors.

Hendry tops the list for world titles with seven followed by both England's Steve Davis and Welshman Reardon on six.

O'Sullivan, who leapfrogged compatriot Mark Selby at the top of the world rankings, added, "It's crazy, really, I've probably only played about half the events that everyone else has played in to get to number one. It seems quite weird, really."

The Tour Championship is contested by the sport's leading eight players with a top prize of 150,000 pounds (197,940 U.S. dollars).

Source(s): Reuters