Vafaei Racks the 23rd Professional 146 Break…
There may have been 148 professional 147s, but, did you know there’s only been 23 146s!
Iran’s Hossein Vafaei has racked the 23rd 146 in the 2019 China Open qualifiers in Cannock, UK, as the highest break so far of the qualifiers.
The 24–year-old reached a milestone semi-final last week in the Welsh Open in Cardiff but got a drubbing from the eventual winner of the event Neil Robertson.
Vafaei’s 146 means he’s the 13th player to have made just one rare 146.
Four other players have made 11 between them…They are: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Allen and Stephen Hendry and John Higgins
- Five-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has made three 146s
- Former Masters Champion Mark Allen has made three 146s
- Record 7-times Champion of the World Stephen Hendry has made two
- And 4-times World title holder John Higgins has two 146s to his name
Neil Robertson also headed to the China Open qualifiers in fine scoring form racking a 142 in the qualifiers after having made a maximum in the Welsh Open along with Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham where they shared £17K.
According to information provided, Vafaei’s 146 break doesn’t receive anything – but the TV high break at the main venue in China stands at £7K with the winner trousering an incredible £225K – half of what the winner of the World Championship stands to get – a nice round 475K.
The China Open is a long standing ranking event that saw China’s no 1 player Ding Junhui breakthrough with his win in 2005, two years after turning professional.
It’s the penultimate ranking event of the pro season and sees players battle for final top 16 places to go to the Crucible as top seeds.
Those from 17 onwards, have to qualify for final 16 places to reach the last 32 at the Crucible in Sheffield.
