Snooker great Shaun Murphy put together a run of near-perfection, but instead left the whole room, including his rival, shaking their heads.
Taking part in the Masters, the Harlow-born talent was heading to the semi-finals in style as set off on course for the final frame with a 147 his target.
BBCMurphy sent the white just behind the blue to end his pursuit of a 147[/caption]
EurosportHe was clearly furious with himself straight after[/caption]
Heading for a maximum break, Murphy potted 15 consecutive reds and blacks, but when he moved over to the colours to clear up the table, it all went wrong.
Attempting to line himself up for the yellow, the first of what would be his final six shots, he put the ball right behind the blue and snookered himself.
The audience at Alexandra Palace gasped in shock and disappointment and the match commentator summed up the mood in succinct fashion by saying: “It’s an awful shot!”
Murphy gazed into the distance clearly seething in silence, but his opponent, Neil Robertson didn’t hide his emotions so well.
The Australian put his hand over his mouth and shook his head in disbelief at the glaring error.
Murphy attempted to get himself out of trouble, but had no chance, and even potted the white as Robertson got up to shake his hand.
Yet despite winning 6-2 to reach the final four, it almost looked like Murphy was the loser as Robertson consoled him for his mistake.
And when you look at the money on the line, it becomes clear why.
Without a 147 maximum score yet at the Masters, Murphy missed out on a £15,000 prize for the highest break of the tournament.
He also lost out on another huge reward of £147,000 if he were to manage two 147s at the three Triple Crown tournaments this season.
EurosportRobertson’s reaction to his opponent’s howler was hilarious[/caption]
Reflecting on the moment in the punditry room, rival Kyren Wilson rather hilariously said: “What a wally. Fancy snookering yourself on the blue!”
And even after having time to reflect on the game, Murphy couldn’t believe the shot he played.
He said: “I’d love to have another go, I wouldn’t mind but I did that once before years ago in the Welsh Open against Mark Williams and did exactly the same shot, you’d think I would’ve learned.
“I just couldn’t breathe, it was too difficult at that point, I was very nervous and just thought anywhere but there. Game over.”
With the UK Championship already played and Zhang Anda the only player to record a 147, Murphy’s chances may be out of the window.
The 2005 world champion has still pocketed a decent reward, though, with a spot in the semi-finals worth £75,000.
Should he make it to the final a win is worth £350,000 and a runners-up finish is £140,000.
Decent money, but nothing quite compared to the glory of a 147.