‘I couldn’t feel my feet, arms or legs’, says John Higgins after falling agonisingly short of £400k golden ball break

JOHN HIGGINS revealed he could not feel his feet, arms and legs as he attempted a never-before-seen golden ball break.

The Scot took on Mark Williams in the inaugural World Masters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

John Higgins lost feeling in his body as he attempted a 167-breakGetty

The tournament has seen the introduction of a golden ball, which gives players the chance to cash an eye-watering £395,000 if potted.

But the ball, worth 20 points, can only be potted following a maximum 147 break.

Higgins had an opportunity to hit a maximum in his second round clash with Williams after potting 15 reds and blacks.

But he began to feel the pressure and lost feeling in various parts of his body before a misfire left him too close to the pink, which cost his chance at a 147.

Higgins revealed after the match: “I actually couldn’t feel my feet, my arms and my legs.

“I walked past Mark and he said: ‘Listen, I never get nervous but my hands were sweating watching you trying to do that break!’ It’s an incredible feeling, but disappointing.

“‘I think in the back of my mind, the pink wasn’t good, so that was in the back of my mind throughout the whole break, but I gave it a go. I was gone! I was just thinking happy thoughts.”

Fortunately for the four-time world champion he regained control and after taking the first frame with that 120 break he went on to win 4-2.

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The idea of a golden ball first caused controversy but players are relishing the opportunity to earn big bucks.

There is an added competitive element too as the prize money is only available to the first player who achieves a golden ball break.