SNOOKER commentator John Parrott apologised to Paul Scholes after he watched Ronnie O’Sullivan breeze past his opponent at the World Snooker Championship.
The Manchester United legend was in attendance at the Crucible to see The Rocket in action but only got to see a few frames after his 10-2 win over He Guoqiang.
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Paul Scholes didn’t see much of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s win after he wrapped up a swift victory Credit: BBC
Commentators apologised to Scholes and said The Rocket was ‘just too good’ Credit: Getty
Scholes was picked out by Parrott and co-commentator Ken Doherty after O’Sullivan had raced in a 7-2 lead from the first session.
He required only three frames to secure his place in the last-16 and the commentators couldn’t help but feel for Scholes after the win was wrapped up in about 45 minutes.
Parrott began by saying: “A very interested spectator, one of England’s greatest midfielders, Paul Scholes, is here today to watch Ronnie. I’m sure he’ll be impressed with what he’s seen.”
At the end of the ninth frame, Doherty added: “Fantastic. One great watching another.
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“What a player he was! I know he loves the snooker. A lot of the footballers love to play snooker in their spare time. Great to have him here.”
O’Sullivan then claimed victory with two century breaks of 113 and 120 as Scholes’ viewing was cut short.
Parrott added: “Paul Scholes might have enjoyed this but he’s only going to see three frames of it. Sorry Paul, this man is just too good.”
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan will now play the legendary John Higgins in the second round.
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O’Sullivan thumped He Guoqiang in the opening round to set up a meeting with John Higgins Credit: Getty
World Snooker Championship 2026 – all the info
The world’s best snooker players are back at the Crucible for the World Championship.
Zhao Xintong arrives in Sheffield as the reigning champion and he will look to break a 49-year curse and lift the trophy again.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is out for his eighth crown as he tries to move ahead of Stephen Hendry’s seven on the all-time list.
World No1 Judd Trump, four-time champion Mark Selby and 2024 winner Kyren Wilson also fancy their chances of going all the way.
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O’Sullivan acknowledged Scholes after his win having noticed him in the crowd.
He said: “It was good to see him. It was only the second frame, I went, ‘that’s Paul Scholes there’.
“He looks really well, fit, healthy. Good to see him come to the snooker, you know.”
Discussing his win, O’Sullivan added: “A couple of oldies. I was saying just hanging around this venue I feel kind of old now because everyone is 22, 23. It’s like walking into a creche! But we are still hanging around and having a go.
“I am not the player I was and probably never will be but as long as I can still enjoy the game…
“I am starting to enjoy it again. I’ve got a new method. I was a bit lost for three years, really lost.
“I am getting through the ball but still not good enough to win these events,
“I have to rely on a bit of luck whereas years ago I felt if my game was OK, it’d take someone really good at their best to beat me. Not so much now! I have to play really good and they can play alright and still beat me.”
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
1969 – John Spencer
1970 – Ray Reardon
1971 – John Spencer
1972 – Alex Higgins
1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
1977 – John Spencer (2)
1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
1979 – Terry Griffiths
1980 – Cliff Thorburn
1981 – Steve Davis
1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
1983 – Steve Davis (2)
1984 – Steve Davis (3)
1985 – Dennis Taylor
1986 – Joe Johnson
1987 – Steve Davis (4)
1988 – Steve Davis (5)
1989 – Steve Davis (6)
1990 – Stephen Hendry
1991 – John Parrott
1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
1997 – Ken Doherty
1998 – John Higgins
1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
2000 – Mark Williams
2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2002 – Peter Ebdon
2003 – Mark Williams (2)
2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
2005 – Shaun Murphy
2006 – Graeme Dott
2007 – John Higgins (2)
2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
2009 – John Higgins (3)
2010 – Neil Robertson
2011 – John Higgins (4)
2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
2014 – Mark Selby
2015 – Stuart Bingham
2016 – Mark Selby (2)
2017 – Mark Selby (3)
2018 – Mark Williams (3)
2019 – Judd Trump
2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
2021 – Mark Selby (4)
2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
2023 – Luca Brecel
2024 – Kyren Wilson
2025 – Zhao Xintong
Most World Titles (modern era)
7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
2 – Alex Higgins
