John Higgins came close to becoming the first snooker player to score 167 as the World Masters took place in Saudi Arabia.
Higgins put all 15 red and black balls into the pot, but in the second round against Mark Williams he ran out of position on the yellow ball in the first frame. If Higgins completes the traditional perfect score of 147, he will have the chance to win the 20-point “Golden Ball” and win a cash prize of £395,000.
The golden ball was introduced at the inaugural tournament in Riyadh and will remain on the cushion as long as maximum breakthrough is possible. Higgins looked as if he was going to shoot as he struck a tricky final red ball along the side pad and was in position to meet the black ball No. 15, then the colored ball.
Perhaps distracted by spectators milling around the pitch before his crucial shot, the four-time world champion misjudged his position on the yellow card, ran too close to the target kick and ultimately missed it Made a very tough pot to keep the breakout going.
Higgins beat Williams 4-2 at around 2:30 a.m. local time, but he was still thinking about his chance at the Ballon d’Or after the game. “Mark said [even] His palms were sweaty,” the 48-year-old said. “I’m gone. I’m just thinking happy thoughts. This will be a little different.”
The Scot defeated Saudi player Omar Alajlani 4-0 in the preliminary round on Monday, while Ding Junhui Defeated Qatar’s Alialo Badri and lost 4-3. Alicat in the next round.
Higgins will face Ronnie O’Sullivan Carter faces the defending world champion in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Luca Bressel. In the other quarter-finals, Mark Allen takes on Mark Selby and Judd Trump takes on Sean Murphy.
