Update;Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen question Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters’ ‘fourth major’ status

Recently announced The powers that be are called the Arabia Snooker Masters “the fourth big”, but Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen are not completely sold on the idea.

Next season, a new ranking will join the calendar, which will be held in Riyadh from August 31 to September 7, with an eye-catching prize collection.

The tournament has a prize of “more than £2 million”, making it the second biggest event in the sport, behind only the World Cup.

With fortunes on offer, a 10-year deal and all 128 tour players on board, the World Snooker Tour called Saudi Arabia’s “fourth major” when it was announced on Tuesday, but Hendry would like it to build. collect the history before it takes the tag.

The three “majors” of the sport are considered to be the World Championship, the Masters and the UK Championship, and Hendry believes that the Tour Championship is closest to those majors as the most elite of the game.

“It’s fantastic for the players, fantastic news, a massive event,” Hendry told the Snooker Club podcast. – Discussions about the fourth major tournament may be premature, the tournament has not even been played yet.

“I think the majors had to be there. That’s why [I say] the Tour Championship, because it’s been around for a few years, it’s become a huge event where players can play long-shot matches.

“But there’s no doubt that this that will be a big thing for snooker. 10 year contract, first prize around half a million pounds.

World number three Allen is also uncertain about the “big one”, telling Belfast Live: “You don’t want to be you. see throw money at something then it becomes important and that’s history.

The events themselves make history. There’s a long way to go. I think the players saw that the Triple Crown was way before it.

Allen will play in the upcoming Riyadh season in March At the World Masters of Snooker tournament where the top eight players are healthy plus.two wildcards.

He is excited about the big money events added to the calendar and hopes that the game will expand in the Middle East. .

“The money sounds wonderful,” he said. – Don’t knock it, we want to win tournaments, but we have to pay bills and we want to make money.

“You never know where this could go in a region with Dubai and places like that. It’s a big step in the right direction.”

The prospect of big cash wins has gone down surprisingly well with players. the prize should be around £500,000.

Four-time world champion John Higgins certainly sees the new event as important, suggesting it is close to a world title thanks to the prize pool.

“If you bring such a prize with you on tour, we’ll have a look at it with MM,” said the Wishaw Wizard. “Being a snooker player is all about maximizing your earning power. Everyone is chasing that top prize.

“One of my first tournaments abroad was in Dubai in 1994. Back then we thought snooker would be big in the Middle East. It’s been a long time. But hopefully now it’s here to stay because the deal is for ten years. I’ll have to play until I’m almost 60 to enjoy it!.