Ronnie O'Sullivan lost his grip on the Citywest Irish Masters title in Dublin tonight - but only had himself to blame.
The defending champion went down 6-2 against Peter Ebdon in the penultimate quarter-final, conceding the fourth frame with 11 reds remaining on the table.
With the score at 30-0 in Ebdon's favour he told referee Eirian Williams 'you can have that one, Pete'.
O'Sullivan then walked out of the arena leaving a startled Ebdon with a 3-1 interval advantage.
The former world champion later defended his bizarre actions saying: "I expected Peter to clear up.
"I would have been surprised had he missed the reds."
Asked whether he felt his actions had let down his supporters O'Sullivan answered: "I'm sorry if I disappointed the crowds. But sometimes you have got to do what you have to do.
"Opinions are like backsides - everyone has one.
"I didn't play very well, Peter played more solid and deserved to win.
"But I was disappointed I lost the game because I was enjoying myself out there. Some days you are the bug and some days you are the windscreen.
"Today I was the bug and I got smashed. But it's good to be able to sit here and still be upbeat after losing 6-2.
"I am trying to take a more positive attitude about life," added the unpredictable world number three from Chigwell, who warned in-form Ebdon before the match that he still had to enter ' Ronnie 's World.'
Ebdon, who has set up a semi-final tomorrow against 2003 runner-up John Higgins or Australian Quinten Hann, said: "Players are entitled to concede whenever they want."
The former Irish Masters champion added: "It doesn't bother me if they do that. It just means you get to your interval cup of tea sooner.
"Ronnie missed a couple of balls and perhaps he was disgusted with himself - I don't know."
O'Sullivan certainly seemed up for the fight in the opening frame.
Ebdon began with a 60 break but O'Sullivan hit back with runs of 43 and 22 to steal a 1-0 lead on the final black.
He was also 40-0 ahead in frame two only for Ebdon to level at 1-1 - helped by 19 points in penalties.
A break of 92 put the Wellingborough-based cueman in front before the surprise fourth frame concession.
Ebdon initially made 22 and later came back to the table to pot a red and black. At that point O'Sullivan threw in the towel to leave him two frames behind.
The Essex star looked decidedly disinterested after the break and careered 5-1 down as Ebdon added runs of 83 and a 39 clearance.
Briefly the holder looked capable of a fightback, cueing his way to 91 in frame seven - only for Ebdon to close out the match from 37-0 down with a decisive 65.
"I have tremendous support in Ireland and they love a trier," he said, maybe with a reference to O'Sullivan's perceived lack of effort.
Wife Deborah flies in tomorrow to lend her support as Ebdon attempts to win his first title since he became world champion in 2002.