Zhao Xintong demonstrated his prowess at golf after launching the defence of his World Snooker title with a hard-fought victory. The Chinese sensation was pushed all the way as he made an anxious start to the 2026 tournament by defeating qualifier Liam Highfield 10-7.

Highfield levelled proceedings at 5-5 at the beginning of the second session and squandered an opportunity to move ahead before Zhao pulled clear courtesy of some bold long-potting. Following the match, Zhao was a guest in the TNT Sports studio to analyse his performance and test his golf skills on an indoor putting green. Despite confessing he had only attempted golf "two or three times" previously, the 29-year-old looked almost as accomplished on the green as he does on the green baize, sinking six out of six putts in 30 seconds.

Pundit Alan McManus joked: "He's got a smoother backswing in golf than he does in snooker!"

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Zhao's attention will now return to the sport he has truly conquered following his tense triumph over Highfield. He acknowledged that the weight of being the defending champion was difficult to manage. He said: "Tonight was pressure, it was very difficult for me.

"Two days ago, I thought I could control that, not now. I just tried to control myself and enjoy the table, but tonight I didn't do it well. Hopefully, next round I can do it."

A blockbuster second-round clash against Chinese compatriot Ding Junhui awaits on Friday, provided the latter overcomes David Gilbert first. Ding is on course to advance after the first session, leading 7-2.

Zhao said: "If I play Ding, everyone keeps eyes on us. If I play with Ding, I'll feel good."

Against Highfield, Zhao won the opening two frames of the day, which got underway with a minute's applause in honour of John Virgo, the much-loved former player and commentator, who passed away in February.

Breaks of 124 and 128 hinted he was hitting his stride, yet a string of uncharacteristic errors allowed Highfield to claw his way back into contention. As the match resumed, Zhao drew audible gasps from the crowd when he went in off the pink, with the Englishman drawing level.

Rising to the occasion under pressure, Zhao chose the perfect moment to rattle off three consecutive frames, producing a series of daring long pots to move 8-5 ahead.

A dreadful miss on a straightforward black threatened to cost him the 14th frame, but a succession of mistakes from both players eventually saw him pot the green and blue to snatch a scrappy frame and edge close to victory. Highfield refused to surrender, taking the following two frames, but Zhao's readiness to attempt a risky red proved decisive in what proved to be the final frame.