The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The Australian bagged the cash after Mark Selby beat Luca Brecel on his way to the Welsh Open crown.
Brecel's defeat to Selby means he misses out on the Grand Prix in Hong Kong.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
NEIL ROBERTSON has landed a £150,000 windfall - without even having to pick up his snooker cue.
