Ronnie O’Sullivan: Stephen Hendry makes HUGE claim about UK Snooker Championship winner
The 42-year-old levelled Hendry and Steve Davis’ record of six wins at the York-based event on Sunday. He beat long-standing rival Shaun Murphy 10-5 in the final. The victory was O’Sullivan’s third tournament win in the last two months - taking his career total up to 31. Hendry, who retired in 2012, currently leads the way in the sport with 36 ranking championships. O’Sullivan has already beaten Hendry’s records for century breaks, maximum breaks and Masters marks.
GETTY Ronnie O'Sullivan has been backed to break every world record.
And if I am honest I have resigned myself to the fact that he is going to beat my ranking titles record. Stephen Hendry speaking about Ronnie O'Sullivan.
And the Scot fears the new world number two could go on to to even greater heights than he achieved in his 27-year professional career. “Only a couple of months ago Ronnie was only on 28 ranking titles, so it shows exactly how quickly things can change when he gets on a roll,” Hendry said. “And if I am honest I have resigned myself to the fact that he is going to beat my ranking titles record. “The way he is pacing himself and putting in hot streaks like this one it is almost inevitable he will do it.
UK Championship snooker prize money Tue, November 28, 2017 Express Sport runs through the 2017 UK Championship prize money Play slideshow VCG via Getty Images 1 of 9 How much will each player earn in prize money at the 2017 UK Championship?
“If he plays in three quarters of the 18-20 ranking events over the next three seasons he should overtake it. He could get to 40 ranking titles quite easily, let alone 37. “The seven world titles record I hold is the one that means the most to me, there is no doubt about that. “I spent my whole career trying to beat Steve Davis’ record of six and Ronnie could do that one as well." After winning the UK Snooker Championship on Sunday O’Sullivan claimed that he could play well into his 60s.
GETTY Stephen Hendry is the current record holder.