Thepchaiya Un-Nooh produced a breathtaking display to defeat Michael Holt in the final of the BetVictor Snooker Shoot Out in Watford.
Thepchaiya has been in dazzling form all week, the fast-paced nature of the Shoot Out clearly suited to his attacking game and free-flowing style, and he booked his place in the final when making a fabulous total clearance of 139 against Jamie Clarke in the last four.
That rapid 139 - with an average shot time of only 10.4 seconds - set a new record for the highest break in Shoot Out history and although not quite able to match those heights in the final, Thepchaiya only needed one visit to win it, another fine break - this time 74 - enough for him to land his first ranking title and pick up a cheque for £32,000.
Despite having little chance to make his mark in an ultimately one-sided final, Holt can look back on a terrific few days which was sealed with a clinical defeat of Michael White in the semi-finals.
White actually got in first in that match but Holt was quick to pounce when afforded an opening and a calm break of 56, comprising of eight reds and eight pinks, followed by some smart safety play, put him within touching distance of a maiden ranking title.
It was Thepchaiya who claimed that prize, though, as his fireworks brought to a close another dramatic four days in Watford.
Story of the day
Shoot Out veterans Stuart Bingham and Graeme Dott were amongst the early morning outright favourites and although the former started the day by beating Kyren Wilson in comfortable fashion, the Scot was sent packing by Rod Lawler who enjoyed a fine run to the last eight before eventually bowing out.
Steven Hallworth claimed another notable scalp when beating Gary Wilson but Jamie Clarke ended his run in round four while Luca Brecel also departed at the same stage.
Sam Baird's impressive week came to an end when Michael White got the better of their close quarter-final encounter while at the same stage, Bingham become another victim of the now rampant Thepchaiya.
All the while, Holt was making seamless progress but despite brushing aside Li Hang and White en-route to the final, he had no answers to the irresistible Thepchaiya who deservedly lifted the title.
