The 'Rocket', Ronnie O'Sullivan last night graced Southampton's Guildhall as Premier League Snooker kicked off yet another season of quick fire potting.

The ambidextrous shot maker, a three times World Champion and winner of the seven-man event on five occasions in the last six years could only manage a 3-3 draw with Hong Kong born player Marcu Fu under the glare of the Sky Sports cameras in the competitions opening round.

I was in attendance at snooker's equivalent to Twenty20 cricket, if not so glamorous, and I was as intrigued as most at the prospect of seeing one of the games most gifted players, O'Sullivan taking to the table.

But more so, something of particular interest is the brains behind his complex character.

Last night, he didn't manage to touch the heavy heights he had previously, and at 34 perhaps the games most valuable asset has passed his peak but what lies behind what some describe as a 'flawed genius' offers utmost intrigue.

O'Sullivan admitted recently his love for snooker, at the same time does drive a notion of insanity.

In Southampton yesterday, the Midlands born player appeared relaxed, but he looked devoid of intrepid motivation when he took to the table, using a typical spray of arrogance also, in the televised pre-match interview.

It has been well publicized in the past of O'Sullivan's bizarre mannerisms whilst in match play and controversy away from the sport, and I was perplexed yesterday of how quickly he concedes so easily a frame even if it is still attainable. But that is the nature of the man. He shares that certain flamboyance and predictability which made the late, great Alex Higgins such a noteworthy figure in the game.

This could be deemed crucial as snooker battles competitively against rival sports for sponsorship, television rights and that 'X Factor' appeal.

O'Sullivan, within this is an integral part of the furniture and I think snooker's governing bodies know this, as does he. All encompassing, this more or less provides him with a freedom of youth in the sport he loves.

It is difficult to really get behind the clogs of the O'Sullivan operation, but in spite of his love\hate relationship with the game he thrives on the attention of being a star attraction, but whom at times can appear very distant from the game he has created a very healthy living out of.

We will only find out how the rest of a career which has established perfectionist credentials unfolds, but there's no doubt the Englishman will always be a crowd pleaser, if not an enigma in the same breath.