John Higgins was agonizingly close to becoming the first snooker player to make a 167 break as the World Masters Tournament began in Saudi Arabia.
Higgins potted all 15 men in red and black, but lost position to a yellow in the first frame of his second round match against Mark Williams. Had he achieved the traditional maximum score of 147, Higgins would have had a chance of winning the 20-point ‘Golden Ball’ and a prize of £395,000.
Introduced for the first edition of the tournament in Riyadh, the Golden Ball sits on a balk cushion for the maximum possible break. Higgins looked out onto the course to take his shot, sinking the tricky final red along the side cushion and getting into position to fight the 15th black and then the color.
Perhaps distracted by the spectators milling around the arena before his crucial shot, the four-time world champion misjudged his position on the yellow, getting too close to the object ball and ultimately forcing a break. Removed a very difficult pot to continue.
Higgins aims for 167! 😅#riyadhseason | @dazngroup
— WST (@WeAreWST) March 4, 2024
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Higgins scored a 4-2 victory over Williams at nearly 2:30 a.m. local time, but the Golden Ball opportunity still stuck with him after the game. “Mark said [even] My palms were sweating,” said the 48-year-old man. “I was gone. I was just thinking about fun things. This would have been a little different.”
Scotland opened the tournament on Monday with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabian player Omar Alajrani in the preliminary round. Ding Junhui Defeated Ali Albaydri of Qatar, but lost 4-3 Ali Carter In the next round.
Higgins will face Ronnie O’Sullivan Carter will face the reigning world champion in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. Luca Brecel. In other best-of-eight matches, Mark Allen will take on Mark Selby and Judd Trump will take on Sean Murphy.
