Top referee Rob Spencer, who will officiate Sunday's World Championship final, was forced into an awkward on-table apology earlier in the tournament after a minor blunder at the Crucible Theatre.
The incident occurred during Zhao Xintong's opening-round match against qualifier Liam Highfield. As the defending champion began his title defence, confusion arose ahead of frame eight when Spencer mistakenly announced it would be the last frame of the session.
“Thank you, the final frame of the session,” Spencer told the Crucible crowd, before quickly realising his error. After a brief pause, he corrected himself: “I’m stuck from the other week, aren’t I? Correction - the eighth frame. Liam Highfield to break.”
The slip appeared to reference Spencer's recent officiating duties at the Tour Championship in Manchester, and it drew a warm reaction from the crowd. Highfield, making his first Crucible appearance in four years, was quick to point out the mix-up before play resumed.
Despite the early-tournament slip, Spencer has been handed officiating duties for Sunday's final, a sign of the high regard in which he is held. Speaking ahead of the tournament, he said: “It is a massive personal achievement. The World Championship final is always the top refereeing match. When you start it is a dream.”
