As we enter the final chapter of the 2018/19 campaign, there’s just enough time to reflect on the March Snooker Player of the Month.
It’s hardly a difficult choice as one genius dominated the headlines from start to finish.
Four ranking events reached their conclusions in what was another pretty hectic period on the green baize.
Other tournaments like the Championship League, the World Seniors 6 Red Championship, and the final leg of the Challenge Tour also provided players with silverware.
Incidentally, the February Snooker Player of the Month was almost carelessly missed before belatedly being put to a vote on Twitter.
Judd Trump narrowly emerged as the people’s favourite during the second month of the year after his victory in the World Grand Prix.
Just realised I didn’t run a Player of the Month article for February #oops Blame moving cities and changing jobs. I’ll leave it up to you guys then. Who was your February POTM?
— David Caulfield (@SnookerHQ) March 5, 2019
It’s back to the normal format for the March Snooker Player of the Month, though, with a few of the sport’s familiar writers offering their valued opinions.
Michael Day – The Cue View
Vote: Ronnie O’Sullivan
How can anyone look past Ronnie O’Sullivan this month? Every time he plays, it seems like we are talking records being broken and landmarks being made – this month it’s been about ranking event wins, centuries, and going back to world number one.
Some may have suggested a changing of the guard after his battering at the hands of Judd Trump in the Masters final and subsequent first round loss to Marco Fu in the World Grand Prix. However, these suggestions were most definitely premature.
The Rocket generally thrives in ITV events, which are exclusively prestigious in nature. He was rarely threatened in Preston whilst defending the Players Championship and, over twenty five years on from announcing himself on the professional stage at the Guild Hall, it felt apt that his 1,000th century break was made there too. Oh, and the fact that it was the title winning frame – almost too good to be true!
For large parts in Llandudno during the Tour Championship O’Sullivan was only in second gear, where he had three very different victories en route. Not necessarily known for comebacks, he recovered to dramatically oust Trump at the death in a contender for ‘Match of the Season’ in the semi-finals.
Given their history, success against Trump felt extra big. O’Sullivan’s reaction at the end said it all.
On a different note, I find it quite remarkable that Ronnie is back at world number one when you consider he hasn’t reached the semis in either of the last two World Championships and skips most of (this season all) the big money ranking events on offer in China.
Nick Metcalfe – Metro Sports Journalist
Vote: Ronnie O’Sullivan
The Ronnie O’Sullivan show continues to entrance us all.
The peerless O’Sullivan totally dominated March, winning both big ITV events in the month, first the Players Championship in Preston and then the Tour Championship in Llandudno, beating Neil Robertson in the final of both.
If that wasn’t enough, he made his 1,000th century break in the first of those finals and became world number one for the first time in nine years in the second, while also matching Stephen Hendry’s tally of 36 ranking titles. These are towering achievements.
It remains one of the great joys of all sport to watch O’Sullivan at the table and, at 43, his appetite for success – no matter what he may sometimes tell us otherwise – remains as strong as ever.
This was the easiest of choices. My March Snooker Player of the Month selection is Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Alexander Jerrard – Cluster of Reds
Vote: Ronnie O’Sullivan
I was incredibly tempted to throw a curveball and pick Martin Gould for winning the Championship League. Joking aside, this Player of the Month has to be Ronnie O’Sullivan for a myriad of reasons.
He won two ranking events, more than any other player in March. Both of these events included the most in-form players on the circuit while also capturing the inaugural Coral Cup in the process. He managed to win it convincingly and in style!
Coming back from 6-2 down to win 10-9 on the final black was a particular highlight. He became the first to hit 1,000 centuries, equalled Stephen Hendry’s number of ranking wins too, and became world number one again!
But about Gould and the Championship League…
SnookerHQ’s March Snooker Player of the Month
Vote: Ronnie O’Sullivan
There isn’t much to add to the panel’s contribution this month.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the most talented player the game of snooker has ever produced.
A figure who is regarded as highly as Lionel Messi in football and Roger Federer in tennis, this kind of special enigma doesn’t come around often in one’s lifetime.
Whether you like him or loathe him, with his off-table antics frequently tiresome, it doesn’t really matter.
Everyone should appreciate O’Sullivan’s fluency and grace on the table for as long as he’s willing and able to compete at this very highest of levels.
The records now only serve to substantiate his legacy and greatness.
