Marco Fu makes 147 to beat Bingham at snooker Masters

LONDON - Marco Fu defeated Stuart Bingham in the 2015 snooker Masters first round here on Sunday and became only the third player in the history of the tournament to make a 147.

Fu of Hong Kong, China made the maximum break in the fourth frame, which gave the 2011 finalist a 3-1 lead.

The world number 10 went on to take three more frames to win 6-3.

Fu becomes the only player other than Canada's Kirk Stevens (1984) and China's Ding Junhui (2007) to make a 147 at the Masters. He will win the 10,000-pound high break prize for the tournament unless another player makes a 147 to share the money.

Fu said: "It was a great feeling when I potted the last black. Maximums are common these days but the players want to make them in the big events like the World, the UK and the Masters."

In the day's first match, reigning world champion Mark Selby was beaten by Shaun Murphy 5-6, losing in the first round for only the second time at snooker's biggest invitation event.

Murphy, who won four tournaments in 2014, took a 5-1 lead but Selby made a thrilling comeback to make it 5-5. Murphy took the final chance.

Selby said: "I started well but then lost concentration, and Shaun played well to go 5-1 up. I dug in and turned it around and I was confident at 5-5. But every credit to Shaun because he made a good break in the last frame."