HISTORY-MAKER Jackson Page would happily swap his £147,000 cash prize for a spot at the Crucible.
Page, 23, bagged the sensational reward after becoming the first snooker player to compile TWO 147 breaks in the same professional match.
Jackson Page produced two 147s in a single match[/caption]
The fund was available for any player who made two maximum breaks across the three Triple Crown events, including in qualifying, plus at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
And that figure could rise to £172,000 when you add an extra £10,000 maximum bonus plus the £15,000 high break prize – which would be shared with anyone else that hits a 147 over 17 days of the World Championship.
He achieved the rare feat in Sheffield on Monday during his 10-2 third round qualifying win over Allan Taylor.
Yet his luck ran out as he went down 10-7 to Joe O’Connor on Judgement Day, which means he is not part of the marquee event that begins on Easter Saturday.
The Welshman is likely to put the money towards the purchase of a new house.
But speaking in the aftermath of his loss on Wednesday night, Page said he would have rather been in the main draw of the Worlds, which carries a jackpot of £500,000.
The world No35 – a semi-finalist at the 2024 World Open – said: “Everyone’s been congratulating me, most of the players as well. It’s a great feat but I’m still gutted now.
“It’ll be great. Life-changing I suppose. I can buy a house, I can do whatever, support my family.
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“But obviously the titles mean more than the money, so I’m still gutted.
“At the moment we’re in with my mum and dad, but the house is currently going through, it’s with solicitors and stuff so hopefully soon we’ll be moving in.
“I know I should be happy but I’m not seeing it that way at the minute.
“I think I’d rather be at the Crucible. You’ve got a chance of winning if you’re there and I was here to win the tournament. I’m not now.
“I know this might sound silly but I think I’d rather be at the Crucible.
“Last year I was hammered (by Ronnie O’Sullivan) but I was there. I would like to end there, but I’ve just got to say to myself that I don’t want to play at qualifying again.
“I’ll give myself a little bit of time and maybe I’ll see it differently. You’re number one at something. Guinness Book of Records and all that.”