In this May 7, 2018 photo, Wales's Mark Williams (left) watches as Scotland's John Higgins plays a shot during their World Championship Snooker final match at The Crucible in Sheffield, England. (PAUL ELLIS / AFP)

LONDON - Four-time world champion John Higgins was ousted from the second round of the Snooker World Championship 13-11 by qualifier Kurt Maflin, despite the veteran scoring a 147 maximum on Thursday.

Meanwhile, three-time champion Mark Selby drew 8-8 with Thai player Noppon Saengkham

World number 43 Maflin led Wednesday's first session 5-3, but Higgins staged a strong comeback on Thursday by hitting a break of 147 in the 12th frame.

The pair seesawed for a long time until Maflin took the 23rd and 24th frames to seal his second win at Crucible.

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Higgins told the World Snooker Tour website: "Kurt played amazing, to finish it the way he did. He bulldozed his way over the line. I'm disappointed because I had a chance at 11-10. When I come away from the tournament I will reflect on the 147, but at the moment I'd swap that for a place in the quarterfinals."

Meanwhile, three-time champion Mark Selby drew 8-8 with Thai player Noppon Saengkham. Reigning world champion and world number one Judd Trump trails Chinese hopeful Yan Bingtao 5-3 after the first session.