In a repeat of the 2008 final, Marco Fu gained a measure of revenge over Shaun Murphy by winning 6-5 in a thrilling encounter, while 2004 champion Stephen Maguire beat Ireland's David Morris 6-3. Despite getting off to a flier with a 102 break, the 2011 champion was then frustrated by 43-year-old Lawler's tough match play before sealing the win with another century. Judd Trump made hard work of beating veteran Rod Lawler 6-3 to reach the last eight. 'The Rocket', the world number four, faces Anthony McGill in the last eight. Fantastic 147 and Ronnie is the maximum man. He was already punching the air before potting the final black. "Superb, absolutely superb from O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan is the highest-ranked player left in the tournament following the surprise exits of world champion Mark Selby, defending UK champion Neil Robertson and China's world number three Ding. His previous maximum was at the Welsh Open in March. O'Sullivan's 147 was his 767th century, which leaves him just eight behind Hendry on the all-time list. I didn't want to make myself look stupid." "I celebrated before the black because I thought I can't really miss that, but then I remembered Ken Doherty missing one. The blue just about went in and I was shaking on the pink but I hit it well. "So I thought it was worth getting the maximum because, unless it's over 40 grand, you won't be getting a max out of me mate! You're not getting them cheap. Ronnie O'Sullivan feels 'born again' after 147 "The motivation to get them is not as high as it used to be, but it's still nice to get them and obviously I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that the roll-over was kind of mounting up," he said. Unless anyone equals the feat during the tournament, the maximum is set to earn O'Sullivan £44,000 - £4,000 for the tournament's top break and £40,000 from the game's rolling 147 prize fund.
The 147 was the 109th in snooker history and puts O'Sullivan on 13, two clear of seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on the all-time list. But I've been doing some exercises, and that's told my brain that it's is strong enough to hold up." He added: "Today was the first day I could walk on the ankle without feeling that I was going to fall over. O'Sullivan, who was moving without any visible discomfort, said: "I was pumped up and the adrenaline was flowing." the pink to hit a 146 instead, to make a statement about the low 147 prize. Last week he said he could pull out of the event because of the pain from the injury, which he sustained when he fell while out running. 147s are the ultimate honour in snooker and they really dont happen often.