Darts world number one Michael van Gerwen says Ronnie O’Sullivan has “some balls” after the snooker ace turned down a chance to complete a maximum break at the Welsh Open.
The Rocket takes on Joe Perry in today’s semi-final but the tournament will be remembered for a controversial 146 break in the first round.
The five-time world champion opted for a pink instead of a black against Barry Pinches, judging that the £10,000 prize for a maximum was “a bit too cheap really”.
MVG and the Essex potter are at the pinnacle of their sports, with both world bodies chaired by promoter Barry Hearn, who initially said O’Sullivan’s shot selection was “not a crime but a shame”.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Van Gerwen said: “To do that, then you need some balls, you need some balls. What can the ref do? Only watch and look.”
The 26-year-old Dutchman went on to compare O’Sullivan with 16-time darts champion Phil Taylor
“The man is fantastic. He’s like Taylor 10 years ago when he won everything,” he said.
Van Gerwen and Taylor were in Dublin for week three of the Premier League, where they both recorded their second wins of the season.
A new format this year means that the table leader after week 9 wins £25,000 and Taylor joked that he might donate the cash if he leads the pack after Judgement Night in Cardiff on 31 March.
“25 grand, it’ll come in quite handy, trust me,” he said. “I’ll give it to Ronnie O’Sullivan.”
The prize was subsequently claimed when Ding Junhui wasn’t so picky and knocked in a 147 during his quarter-final loss to Neil Robertson. Antrim’s Mark Allen plays Robertson in the first semi-final.
MAX | Watch Ding Junhui compile his sixth 147 against Neil Robertson in the @BetVictor Welsh Open! 💪#BVWelshOpen https://t.co/O80jfJ1OFv
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) February 19, 2016
