WATCH! John Higgins Compiles Crucible 147 Break

The perfect break represents the first maximum made at the Crucible Theatre since 2012.

John Higgins has compiled a Crucible 147 break during his second-round World Championship match against Kurt Maflin on Thursday.

The Scot produced a stunning clearance in the 12th frame of their contest to construct the tenth of his professional career.

Higgins becomes only the seventh player to make a Crucible 147 break at the World Championship.

The first occurred in 1983 when Canadian Cliff Thorburn fluked the opening red before making history, while Jimmy White matched the feat nine years later and Stephen Hendry subsequently made his first in 1995.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record five minutes and eight seconds knock happened in 1997, with the “Rocket” matching Hendry’s tally of three.

Mark Williams and Ali Carter were the other two competitors to achieve the break in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

Eight years had passed since the last maximum effort when Hendry made his third at the venue on the year of his retirement from the sport.

For Higgins, the 45 year-old will pocket £55,000 if his maximum isn’t matched this year – £40,000 for the 147 break itself and an additional £15,000 for the highest break prize.

The only disappointment for the four-time world champion will be the fact that he couldn’t do it in front of a packed house at the Crucible.

No fans are allowed inside the the venue this year as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

The “Wizard of Wishaw”, a finalist for the last three years, trailed Maflin 7-5 following the break.

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Featured photo credit: WST