Lucky Allen’s in the pink as he pots £70k
MARK ALLEN was in the pink after winning the Scottish Open last night to cap a magnificent year.
The world No.6 beat former world champion Shaun Murphy 9-7 in a thriller at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena to pocket the £70,000 top prize and collect the Stephen Hendry trophy.
But Northern Ireland’s Allen, 32, was helped by a huge fluke on the pink as he closed out victory in frame 16.
Allen might have pulled out of the event had he won instead of lost last week’s UK Championship final against Ronnie O’Sullivan.
And the Masters champion also admitted after his semi-final 6-5 comeback win against Daniel Wells that he had partied hard in Scotland – and played hungover in early rounds.
He was even drinking when 4-0 down at the interval against Wells – and admitted he had “disrespected” the tournament.
But this brilliant display against world No.11 Murphy brought his earnings for 2018 to almost £700,000.
As well as the Masters success there was victory at China’s International Championship – before this fifth ranking title of a career that is finally exploding.
Allen said: “That is the first fluke of the season – what a time to get it! We are pals, and that is not the way I would have wanted to win it. My wife has told me no beers tonight – no chance.
“I didn’t get a shot for three and a half frames at one point, but I felt calm and played with my daughter at the interval. It is great to win in front of family and friends here.
“The green and white army strikes again. I have had worse fortnights.”