Snooker star Neil Robertson has poked fun at his wild lockdown hairstyle, joking that his llama-inspired locks were behind his £150,000 win on Sunday night.
The Australian, 39, put in an impressive performance to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-4 and claim the Tour Championship at Celtic Manor in Wales.
But as well as the quality of his snooker, it was Robertson’s long, curly blond hair that caught the attention of fans on social media.
Australian snooker star Neil Robertson caught the eye with his curly lockdown hairstyle
Roberston poses with Ronnie O’Sullivan before beating him to win the Tour Championship
Robertson took to Twitter after storming to the 20th ranking title of his career to share a picture of his eye-catching new hairdo – which he debuted during the week-long tournament – and a snap of a llama.
The Aussie wrote: ‘The inspiration behind #20 thanks for the funny memes and photo edits guys. Made the week even more enjoyable and nice to play so well too. See you in Sheffield.’
Robertson, who usually has shorter blond hair, neatly combed to one side, was not alone when it came to making comparisons, with snooker fans quick to liken him to a number of characters from stage and screen.
Robertson took to Twitter to joke that his triumphant new look had been inspired by a llama
Robertson, pictured in August of last year, has been forced to ditch his old hairstyle for a new look in lockdown
Twitter user @danielgarston replied to Robertson with a picture of Annie, the curly red-haired star of the film and musical of the same name, and wrote: ‘Brilliant performance, nice to see you back to your absolute best. Good luck in Sheffield.’
Robertson’s hair was also compared to that of actor Jon Pertwee during his role as Doctor Who back in the early 1970s. Posting a picture of Pertwee during an episode, Twitter user @steve_kernow wrote: ‘Good to see such high quality snooker. Like a young version of Dr. Who’.
The seventies theme continued in the replies to Robertson’s llama post, with Alan Murphy likening the Aussie’s blond mop to cartoon character Robbo in the show ‘Help!… It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!’
Robertson won the last six frames to seal a superb 10-4 win against O’Sullivan in the Tour Championship, having been tied at 4-4 going into the evening session.
The 39-year-old made his fifth century break of the match in the final frame and was untouchable after the action resumed
Snooker fans were quick to compare Robertson to a number of characters, including Annie
Another Twitter user likened Robertson to actor John Pertwee in Doctor Who back in the 1970s
The Aussie’s new hairdo was also compared to Robbo’s in 1970s cartoon The Hair Bear Bunch
Robertson, the world No 3, has won a ranking event for 16 successive calendar years, while O’Sullivan has now reached five finals this season, losing them all.
O’Sullivan said in his post-match interview on ITV that he had never seen anyone play as well as Robertson had done in the evening session.
‘His cue action is just ridiculous,’ O’Sullivan told ITV. ‘Straight through the ball, tempo doesn’t change, opens his back hand like you’ve never seen anyone open it before. It’s just ridiculous really.
‘Unbelievable. He made it look like he was playing on a pool table today. I can’t compete with that. I just have to sit back and enjoy it. Amazing play.’
Robertson gained revenge for his defeat to O’Sullivan in the final two years ago, beating him for the first time in a multiple-session match.
‘If I’m going to compete well at the World Championship this year, then that’s the sort of performance I have to put in,’ Robertson said on ITV.
Robertson put in a superb performance to beat O’Sullivan and win £150,000 on Sunday night
‘I have to be there every session and I think I’ve done that in all of my matches this week. I’ve been there every session.’
Both players compiled two century breaks in the first session, which ended all-square at 4-4.
Robertson took the second frame with a 103 to make it 1-1 before making a 133 clearance in the fifth frame.
O’Sullivan, who had registered his first ton (128) in the third frame to go 2-1 ahead, hit back to take the last two frames of the session.
Robertson made a break of 93 in the first frame of the evening session to go 5-4 up and never looked back.
Leading 6-4, a break of 123 put him 7-4 ahead and further scores of 119 and 114, in the 12th and final frames respectively underlined his complete dominance.