STEPHEN HENDRY won the Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge in amazing fashion in Birmingham last night with a maximum 147 break in the final frame.
The clearance will go down as one of the finest in snooker history as Hendry, having lost the previous six frames to titleholder Ronnie O'Sullivan, embarked on a remarkable run of shots.
Even by the Scot's exceptionally high standards it was a memorable performance - the world champion had earlier strung together three century breaks on the way to establishing what appeared a virtually unassailable 8-2 lead.
But O'Sullivan forced himself into the spotlight by reeling off the next six frames with runs of 74, 137, 124, 91, 87 and 59.
But Hendry was not to be denied as he rolled in his fourth 147 and only the 19th in major tournament play.
Hendry, who swelled the coffers of the Downs Syndrome Association to the tune of £100,000 by winning the inaugural event in 1995, secured another £100,000 donation - this time for the National Play Bus Association.
In addition the Scot pocketed a personal first prize of £30,000 and is now only £773 short of becoming the first player to crack the £5 million barrier.
Hendry beat Alan McManus in the semi-finals on Saturday but went into the closing frame in the final in grave danger of suffering his worst collapse since turning professional in 1985.
If the ultra-tense situation affected Hendry he did not allow it to show, launching the positional perfect maximum by firing in a difficult long red to a top pocket. When the final ball disappeared the crowd rose as one to give the world number one a thunderous standing ovation.
Hendry said he would never forget the 147 break.
"It wasn't as if I'd wasted chances to win the match. At the start of the last frame I still felt good, I potted a great long red and what followed was incredible.
"Of the four maximums I have made it was the most straightforward ever. Even when I was on 32 or 40 I realised it was very much there for the taking.
"The first 147 I made was obviously special, as was the one at the Crucible, but considering this was the final frame it was incredible and something I'll always remember.
"To be sitting out cold for six frames and then to make a 147 was totally unexpected on my part. Mind you the overall standard from both of us was definitely the highest I've ever been involved in. Neither of us seemed to miss a ball."
O'Sullivan said: "As soon as he went into the pack of reds after potting a black early on I could see from his mannerisms that the maximum was on. It was a brilliant break, especially considering the situation of the match and the fact that I should have had him under the cosh."
