Alan McManus made a determined effort to break his Crucible curse in Sheffield today although his opponent Ian McCulloch remains favourite to reach the Embassy World Championship quarter-finals.

John Higgins will have his work cut out at Sheffield tomorrow if he is to salvage a disappointing season by reaching the last eight of the Embassy World Championship.

John Higgins will have his work cut out at Sheffield tomorrow if he is to salvage a disappointing season by reaching the last eight of the Embassy World Championship.

Peter Ebdon’s bid to regain his Embassy world title ended against Lancashire hot potter Ian McCulloch in Sheffield last night.

Stephen Maguire was bewildered and happy, embarrassed and yet delighted after achieving a career breakthrough on the Mediterranean island of Malta today.

Ronnie O’Sullivan showed no hangover from his recent British Open final defeat against Stephen Hendry by crushing Ian McCulloch 9-3 in his opening match at the Travis Perkins UK Championship today.

Alan McManus recorded his first win since last season's World Championship when he defeated Dominic Dale at the UK Championship in York.

TIGER WOODS celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday. Given that he seems to have been around for such a long time, I suspect many believed him to be a lot older.