The 'exclusive club' that awaits snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan at Saudi World Champs

Ronnie O'Sullivan has dominated the snookering landscape for 25 years, but after winning the Masters this month, the GOAT could join a club he is yet to get near to.

Astonishingly, for the first time in his glittering career, O'Sullivan has won the first two Triple Crown events of the season, securing the UK Championship in December.

According to sportinglife.com, only three players have won all three Triple Crown events in the same campaign. The last time it happened was over 20 years ago.

The three players to complete the historic feat were Steve Davis in 1987-88, Stephen Hendry in 1994-95, 1995-96, and Mark Williams in 2002-03.

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Stephen Hendry (1991) and Steve Davis (1982) have slipped up at the crucible before to stop them from completing the legendary feat on more occasions, and it's the only event O'Sullivan needs to win.

According to sportinglife.com, John Higgins and Mark Selby both got to O'Sullivan's positions in 1999 and 2013, respectively, but they ultimately lost in the World Championship final, with Selby losing to O'Sullivan in 2013.

O'Sullivan has spoken several times about his motivation for playing the sport, but these World Championships are the most crucial in his career.

According to bbc.co.uk, the oldest world champion has the most ranking titles (40), the most Triple Crowns (23), the most UK Championships (8), and the most Masters titles (8). However, he hasn't won the most World Championships.

If O'Sullivan was to win the World Championship in May, the Englishman would overtake Stephen Hendry and win a record-breaking eighth World Championships and join the exclusive Triple Crown group.

'The Rocket' has already cemented himself as the greatest snooker player ever, and a win at the World Championships would make him untouchable.

As confirmed by thesun.co.uk, before taking on the most important World Championships of his career, O'Sullivan will play in the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker.

As reported by express.co.uk, the GOAT will also be aiming to become the first player to hit in the new 'Golden Ball,' which is only available to pot after a player makes a maximum break of 147.

O'Sullivan is a man dedicated to doing things first and the best, and potting in the first 'Golden Ball' could spur him to greater things when he takes on the World Championship a month later.