JUDD TRUMP reckons he could nab a £100,000 break bonus if he makes an “amazing run” at the Crucible next month.
The Juddernaut hit his 80th century of the season – a 142 break in frame two – as he eliminated Gary Wilson 4-2 from the first round of his ‘home’ tournament, the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong.
The World Snooker Tour has a six-figure incentive on the table for anyone who compiles 100 centuries during the 12-month campaign.
Trump has four ranking events left to achieve the rare feat, which has only happened twice before in the professional ranks.
In the 2013-14 season, Australian left-hander Neil Robertson became the first player to make 100 centuries in a single season, finishing with a record 103 centuries, and then Trump got 102 in throughout 2019-20.
Trump, 35, said: “In the last 32 or last 16 of these tournaments it’s very difficult to make century breaks against the top players.
“It’ll go down to the wire. I’d have to have an amazing run at the World Championship. Maybe it would come in the final.
“That’s how tight it would be if I was to get it. At the moment, it’s on the backburner. I’m not really thinking about it.
“But when I come to the World Champs, it would add a little bit of excitement for everyone around the game.”
Trump, who lives in Hong Kong after moving over from the UK, has been handed a nightmare draw next against his best mate Jack Lisowski, who beat China’s Zhang Anda 4-2.
The world No.1 – who was not watched by his figure skating girlfriend Maisy Ma – said: “I didn’t know it was Jack until I looked on Twitter and saw I’d play him if I won.
“So, I was a bit disappointed. He’s someone I’d rather avoid until the final. But it’s a great setting for both of us to play in.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Snooker star Judd Trumps shares amazing Valentine’s Day trick shot vid with baffling choice of song” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368873923112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“It’s difficult. I have to go out there and try to forget that and try my best, see what happens.”
This is the first ranking event held in Hong Kong for 35 years and the Kai Tak Arena in Kowloon City can hold up to 5,000 fans.
Trump, the 2019 world champion, said: “It was a great reception to walk into that kind of atmosphere.
“It gives you a buzz. A bit of added pressure applied as you want to get that first game out of the way.
“There’s big prize money, a great arena, a great city. It’s turned into a major tournament.
“Hong Kong is an incredible place. Even before I contemplated living here, I had always said how much I loved coming here. Everybody that I have spoken to says the same.
“There is so much to do, so much to see. The place is buzzing. There’s a lot of energy in Hong Kong.
“Especially when the weather is good. There’s a whole mix. Everybody who comes here loves it.
“Maybe Ally Pally is one of the only real venues in the UK where you feel the razzmatazz and how big the tournament is. Hong Kong is the sort of place where you dream to play snooker.”
Maverick star Lisowski, 33, has to put aside their friendship, too, as he needs to win two matches to book his place in the Players Championship in Telford this month.
The world No.25 from Cheltenham, who may have to go through World Championship qualifying again, said: “Judd will not be easy. I’ll try my best and go again on Thursday.
“I’m playing well and my attacking is good but my safety and defensive play is questionable.
“I played a good safety shot in the last frame. Hopefully I can finally put it all together. I’m doing the hard stuff well. Potting and scoring. That old safety doesn’t come easy for me.”
Scotland’s snooker legend John Higgins, fresh from winning the World Open in Yushan, beat Ali Carter 4-3 but he did not score a single break above 50.