John Higgins Compiles 147 Break in British Open

The Scot was the last winner of the event 17 years ago.

John Higgins began his 2021 British Open campaign with a bang as the Scot constructed a magnificent 147 break in the opening frame of his first-round match on Monday.

Higgins, who won the most recent edition of the British Open way back in 2004, looked rarely troubled as he went about making the superb knock against Alexander Ursenbacher at the Morningside Arena.

A four-time winner of the British Open between 1995 and 2004, it brings the Wizard of Wishaw’s career tally of maximums to 12 – one ahead of countryman Stephen Hendry and just three behind the record set by fellow Class of 1992 stalwart Ronnie O’Sullivan.

In fact, it’s not the first time that Higgins has even made a British Open 147 break, managing the feat for the first time against Michael Judge in 2003.

The 31-time ranking event winner has lost weight ahead of the 2021/22 campaign in an effort to prolong his career at the very top of the game, and so far so good for the 46 year-old.

First poke 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Well done John Higgins

— Judd Trump (@judd147t) August 16, 2021

Higgins lost the second frame to his young Swiss opponent but won the next two to advance to the second round with a 3-1 victory.

The British Open is being contested by 128 players, with a random draw implemented throughout the tournament for each round.

Early winners on the first day of action included former English Open champion Liang Wenbo and reigning Welsh Open winner Jordan Brown.

Later on, Judd Trump, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, and Mark Allen are among those set to enter the fray – the latter in an intriguing battle against his ex-girlfriend, Reanne Evans.

Live coverage is on ITV4 in Ireland and the UK.

Click here to view the draw (Times: CET)

Featured photo credit: WST