Scottish snooker star John Higgins came close to achieving a ‘golden’ 167 break at the Riyadh Season World Masters, narrowly missing out on a record and a £395,000 prize but securing his spot in the quarter-finals.
At the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker held in Saudi Arabia, Scottish snooker star John Higgins narrowly missed making history by achieving a ‘golden’ 167 break, which would have netted him a £395,000 prize. The golden ball rule, introduced at this event, allows players the chance to score beyond the conventional maximum of 147 by potting a special golden ball. Higgins achieved a 120 break in his second-round match against Mark Williams but failed on the yellow, missing the historic opportunity.
Despite this, Higgins, a four-time world champion and currently ranked ninth in the world, secured a 4-2 victory over Williams and advanced to the quarter-finals, where he is set to face Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion. The tournament features the world’s top 10 snooker players, including notables such as Luca Brecel, Mark Selby, and Judd Trump, as well as two local wildcard entrants.
Notably, Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen opted out of participation due to political concerns related to the event’s location in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, England’s Ali Carter succeeded in moving to the quarter-finals after defeating Chinese player Ding Junhui.
The World Masters in Riyadh continues to spotlight top-tier snooker talent, with a particularly keen focus on the golden ball challenge. Snooker enthusiasts are invited to follow the action and updates through the BBC’s My Sport app, ensuring fans do not miss out on any thrilling encounters or potential historic moments in the sport.
