Judd Trump went into meltdown after crashing out in the first round of the 2017 Northern Ireland Open.
Trump’s struggles were laid bare by Englishman Stuart Carrington who unexpectedly went on to win 4-2 in Belfast.
Things didn’t go to plan for Judd Trump at the 2017 Northern Ireland Open
Number two ranked Trump, found himself 3-2 and 52-0 down when he missed a routine red to a middle pocket.
He conceded the frame and the match by throwing his cue at the collection of red balls despite their being 83 points remaining.
Trump made it clear that he had had enough and shook Carrington’s hand and that of the referee before making a beeline for the exit.
World No. 52 Carrington appeared bemused when the camera panned in on him after what was a huge opening-round scalp before admitting his shock in an interview.
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“I have never seen that in a match at professional level. In junior tournaments occasionally, but never on the tour,” Carrington said.
“Everyone is still a bit shocked and I don’t know what to make of it. I have never lost my temper like that.
“Obviously inside you are raging when you miss and don’t play well, but especially in front of the cameras…it is even worse. You feel like that, but you never do it.
“I sensed it was getting on top of him, and at 3-1 I just tried not to let him back into the match. I know he had had trouble getting his cue back from China, and it only just turned up in time.
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“He has gone for the red. I left him, left me sitting and lost his head for a split-second.”
He continued: “Judd and I go way back, all the way to the age of 11 or 12. I reckon we have played 50 times since then and until today I had beaten him about once when I was 13.
Trump missed a red at the middle pocket which brought about his angry burst
Trump missed a red at the middle pocket which brought about his angry burst. He threw his cue at the red balls and conceded the match
Trump shook hands with Carrington and referee before darting out of the arena
“It means a lot, that win. He is at the top of the game now, so of course it is very satisfying to beat him.’
Trump was in no mood to discuss his exit from the tournament and subsequently ignored a World Snooker request to attend a press conference.
It wasn’t the first time he had skipped media duties after refusing to speak following a shock first-round exit to Rory McLeod at the World Championship at the Crucible seven months earlier.
Trump frustrations came from a lack of consistency in the match having compiled breaks of 59, 64 and 74.
But for Carrington it was a moment to cherish with his first professional win over Trump.
Sadly, the joy was short lived as he was sent crashing out in the second round by Scotland’s Ross Muir.
Trump was not the only victim of a shock early exit thanks to Chen Zifan’s opening-round win over Shaun Murphy.
The tournament concluded with China’s Yan Bingtao facing Mark Williams in the final with the Welshman coming out on top 9-8 to scoop the £70,000 prize.
