'What has he done?' - John Higgins makes 'huge blunder' as he looks to escape snooker at World Championship

Neal Foulds was left in shock after John Higgins made a "huge blunder" as he looked to escape from a snooker laid by Joe'Connor in their opening-round tie at the Crucible. The Scot opted for power instead of a roll-up, as expected by Foulds, and left his opponent with a free ball and the chance to steal the frame. O'Connor failed to capitalise though and Higgins went on to restore his lead.

‘What has he done?!’ – Higgins leaves free ball after bizarre snooker miss

Video credit: TNT Sports

John Higgins made an uncharacteristically "huge blunder" in his opening-round World Championship match against Joe O’Connor that Neal Foulds said "might have cost him the frame."

With the match tied at two frames each, and the Scot leading the fifth frame 50-20, O’Connor was able to lay a telling snooker in behind the black, which had travelled up the table.

With the three remaining reds in a tight cluster towards the baulk cushion, Higgins looked to navigate the snooker with a powerful escape off two cushions, but missed the reds and left the 29-year-old with a free ball.

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Commentating on TNT Sports, Foulds said: "Goodness me, I did not expect that. I was sure he was going to play resting up to them, what has he done? He’s left a free ball.

"Honestly, the last player on the tour I would expect to miss the snooker and play it at that pace is John Higgins.

"That might have cost him the frame. It’s - for him - a huge blunder."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Fortunately for Higgins, O’Connor failed to capitalise on the free ball and the veteran was able to come out on top of the subsequent safety battle to take the frame.

O'Connor will take a 5-4 lead into Monday evening when the pair resume their contest as they battle for a spot in the second round.

The winner of the match will take on Xiao Guodong following his 10-4 victory over Matthew Selt on Sunday.

Higgins, who won the Tour Championship in the final tournament before the World Championship, is making his 31st appearance at the Crucible.

O’Connor, meanwhile, has reached the Crucible for just a second time following his debut at the event in 2024, where he beat Mark Selby in the opening round.