Global Snooker
What a start to the season for Kurt Maflin who not only eased past talented youngster Michal Zielinski 4-0 today but in doing so completed his first career 147 break! Click below for that and more on today’s action at the Academy…
Having regained his main tour spot for the coming season with his recent capture of the EBSA Play-Offs, KurtI’m sure would have been happy just to get his season off to a good start by banking some all-important ranking points but to make a 147 break in the first round of the first tournament, his first ever in professional competition, was surely beyond his wildest dreams.
He has done it however and although he will receive no additional prize money for the feat, he will always have the glory of having made the 71st ever maximum break in professional play.
Global Snooker
It was also a day to remember for 18-year-old Mitchell Mann who completed a gutsy clearance to overcome former world champion Shaun Murphy and in doing so record by far the biggest upset of the event so far. As he has shown, he is far more talented than his 46th place in last season’s PIOS would suggest!
Other notable first round casualties included Belgian youngster Luca Brecel who had no answer for the experience of Marco Fu, Preston’s Ian McCulloch who went down 4-1 to Allan Taylor and fomer world quarter-finalist Anthony Hamilton who surprisingly lost to Northern Ireland’s Jordan Brown. Finally Pink Ribbon winner Michael Holt was also the victim of an early upset at the hands of Welsh youngster Daniel Wells.
What a start! For the day’s results in full please click here to visit Global, note that the top half of the draw will be played to the conclusion of the third round this evening.