Jackson Page would rather have a place at the Crucible than his enormous bonus for two 147s, having fallen short in World Championship qualifying.
The 23-year-old made snooker history in Sheffield as he became the first player ever to make two maximum breaks in the same match during a 10-2 win over Allan Taylor.
However, he had a final qualifier to win to make the Crucible and fell short, beaten 10-7 by Joe O’Connor, who will take a place in Thursday’s first round draw.
For his 147 heroics Page landed a whopping £147,000 prize which was on offer for anyone who made two maximums across the Triple Crown events and the Saudi Arabia Masters.
He also gets a £10,000 bonus for a 147 in qualifying and could add the £15,000 tournament high break prize if no one else matches his effort.
Page would swap it all for a place at the Crucible, though, at least that’s how he felt straight after defeat to O’Connor.
‘I think I’d rather be at the Crucible,’ he said. ‘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. I know I should be happy but I’m not seeing it that way at the minute.
‘I’ll give myself a little bit of time and I will see it differently. You’re number one at something. Guinness book of records and all that. I will look at it eventually like that, but I’ll need a week or two.’
The Welshman admitted that it was difficult to come down from the money-spinning bit of history to get back into focussing on a huge match.
‘It is tough because you’re on such a high,’ he said. ‘I know last year in this I played Noppon [Saengkham] in the last round and he’d just had a 147 and I beat him. I suppose it’s the highs and lows of the game.
‘Everyone’s been congratulating me, most of the players as well. Even Joe before we went on. It’s a great feat but I’m still gutted now.’
Page is now extra motivated not to have to return to the English Institute of Sport and make it into the top 16 next season, avoiding the nerve-shredding qualifiers.
‘Last year I was hammered, but I was there,’ he said of a heavy Ronnie O’Sullivan defeat at the Crucible last year. ‘I would like to end [the season] there, but I’ve just got to say to myself that I don’t want to play here again.
‘Hopefully I can have an even better season next year and not have to come here, go straight to the Crucible. I’ve got to work on my game and see what happens.’
Page will get over the defeat and then be very pleased about his huge financial win, especially as he is just in the process of buying a house with his partner.
‘It’ll be great. Life-changing I suppose,’ he said. ‘I can buy a house, I can do whatever, support my family. But obviously the titles mean more than the money so I’m still gutted, but it is what it is.
‘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.
‘We’re going on holiday, we booked a holiday already. I just need to speak to my accountant and see what I should do. I’ll spend it wisely.’