O’Sullivan: PTC is a rat race (From This is Hampshire)

O’Sullivan: PTC is a rat race

6:00am Saturday 13th August 2011

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RONNIE O’Sullivan reckons Players Tour Championship (PTC) events are a “rat race”.

But for amateurs like Nick Jennings and Billy Castle, it’s the ultimate experience.

We witnessed something similar with the cubicles at Pontin’s, Prestatyn. Professionals outside the top-16 had to qualify there for the first-round proper of the Main Tour events.

Players in danger of dropping out of the top-16 spoke of their dread at the thought of having to return to the cubicles.

However, amateurs from across the UK flocked to North Wales for the chance of competing on the pro-tables.

It appears the same is happening with the PTC events, professional tournaments which are also open to amateurs. Win two qualifying rounds and you meet a pro.

Three-time world champion O’Sullivan told his 39,701 followers on Twitter: “It’s a rat race at these PTC events.”

The Rocket has also been making his views public about the strict dress code.

On August 7, he informed the world: “Can someone tell me whose idea and why we have to wear bow-ties and waistcoats at PTC events. What a load of b*******.”

Later that day, he added: “Four men and a dog watch those games. Live streaming on the net, maybe ten people watching there. So why the dress code? Nuts, man.”

Last Tuesday, when he beat Jennings 4-1 on the main arena table, O’Sullivan tweeted: “Still don’t think it’s necessary for the waistcoats and bow-ties.”

Followed by: “Polo shirt is about right for the event we are playing in. Come on, do it World Snooker. You know it makes sense.”

And then: “It felt like a penguin’s funeral, all those suits and dickie bows.”

O’Sullivan plays Judd Trump at Southampton Guildhall on November 3 in the Sky Sports-televised Premier League.

Players in those events wear polo shirts.

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