John Higgins ends Crucible’s eight-year maximum wait with brilliant 147 clearance

Updated 07/08/2020 at 14:29 GMT

John Higgins produced a masterful maximum at the Snooker World Championship on Thursday, recording the first at the arena in eight years.

John Higgins | Snooker | ESP Player Feature

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The stunning clearance came in the 12th frame against Kurt Maflin, bringing the Scot back to 5-7 down in the best-of-25 encounter.

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“That’s a remarkable break by a truly remarkable champion,” reacted Eurosport commentator Dave Hendon. “And look at that smile. That break, if nobody matches it, is worth £55,000.

“He’s got to put that to one side and get on with the match now, because he’s still trailing 7-5. Just looking back at the ten previous maximums, one three occasions the player has gone on to lose the match.”

Higgins’ maximum is his first ever at the Crucible, only the 11th in the history of the World Championship and the first at the event since 2012.

Higgins has won four World Championships in his career and has now made 10 tournament maximums in his career. That tally puts him third in the all-time list, one behind Stephen Hendry but still trailing Ronnie O’Sullivan by five.