Kyren Wilson constructed a Welsh Open 147 break as he edged out home talent Jackson Page in the first round in Cardiff on Tuesday.
The Englishman’s first contribution of the encounter proceeded to be the maximum effort, his second as a professional in competition.
Wilson, who held off the teenager for the remainder of the fixture to prevail in a decider, is in line to claim the £5,000 high break bonus.
There’s also a £1 million jackpot to be shared should players on the circuit make a collective 20 maximums this season, but Wilson’s knock represents only the fifth since last summer.
Several Welsh Open 147 breaks have been constructed since Ronnie O’Sullivan made the first in 1999.
The “Rocket” was another competitor in action on day two and the four-time champion comfortably saw off the challenge of Chinese youngster Zhang Jiankang.
Meanwhile, defending champion Neil Robertson survived a mini scare, coming from 2-1 down to pip Jamie Clarke by a couple of frames.
The Australian is undoubtedly the man of the moment having reached three ranking event finals in succession in 2020 already, etching his name on the trophy of both the European Masters and last week’s World Grand Prix.
Graeme Dott, who Robertson overcame in a dramatic final in Cheltenham on Sunday, could not maintain his recent run of form as he fell in a 4-0 reverse to Zhao Xintong.
However, most of the other heavy-hitters advanced to the last 64, with Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy, and Barry Hawkins each surviving their opening tests at the Motorpoint Arena.
Scotland’s John Higgins remains on course for a record-extending sixth Welsh Open title too after overcoming Joe O’Connor.
Riga Masters champion Yan Bingtao hammered Michael Holt and was joined in the second round by fellow Chinese cueists Xiao Guodong, Tian Pengfei, and Fan Zhengyi.
Elsewhere, there wasn’t too much success for the home contingent with Jak Jones joining Page and Clarke on the journey home.
Dominic Dale did give the local support something to shout about, though, as the two-time ranking event winner pummelled David Grace with a whitewash display.
Among a few of the other names to make it through the first test were Gary Wilson, Luca Brecel, Ricky Walden, and Scott Donaldson.
In a battle of the invitational tour card holders, James Wattana beat Jimmy White 4-2.
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