Maximum bonus in Higgins’ victory

John Higgins scored the eighth 147 break of his career as he booked his place in the third round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast yesterday.

The 41-year-old Scot achieved his feat in the third frame of his 4-1 win over Sam Craigie, setting up the maximum with a brilliant crossdouble on the final red.

Higgins is looking to claim his third consecutive ranking title after wins at the China Championship and last week’s Champion of Champions event.

He is the fifth player to make a 147 on the tour so far this year after Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Stephen Maguire, Shaun Murphy and Alfie Burden.

World semi-finalist Alan McManus was beaten 4-0 by world No 93 Sanderson Lam.

Jimmy White took the opening frame of his match with Ronnie O’Sullivan before the five-time world champion clicked into gear to secure a 4-1 win.

O’Sullivan levelled with a break of 141, took a scrappy third frame and finished the match with runs of 68 and 95.

John Higgins: made a 147 break in third frame.