John Higgins hits 1000th century as he exits English Open

John Higgins became only the second snooker player to hit 1000 career centuries as he crashed out of the English Open last-16.

‘Wizard of Wishaw’ Higgins achieved the milestone during a 4-3 defeat to Mark Allen in Brentwood, joining Ronnie O’Sullivan in achieving the feat.

Higgins on Thursday scored breaks of 108 and 109 to draw level at 3-3, before losing a long and tense final frame.

O’Sullivan achieved the feat in 2019, with Higgins back on 745 three-figure breaks at the time.

World number one Judd Trump is likely to be next, who is currently on 998.

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Four-times World Champion Higgins, 49, said: “It’s a good achievement. I’ve played this game for so long, to get to that milestone. You have to be proud of that.

“I’m really proud. To be honest, I wanted to get there before Judd. I thought that I have a 14-year head start on him.

“It is good to be second to Ronnie O’Sullivan, the best ever.

“Judd will obviously go on, and probably eclipse Ronnie’s century record.”

Higgins’ first century came in the 1992-93 season, with his most prolific campaign being in 2021-22, when he hit 56.

The Lanarkshire star has also had 13 maximum 147 breaks in his career, again second only to O’Sullivan.

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