I want to rule Worlds
Tour Championship winner Stephen Maguire admits his confidence has soared sky high as he bids to lift a first World Championship title.
Milton potter Maguire pocketed his biggest payday of £260,000 and claimed his first ranking title for seven years with a superb 10- 6 win over Northern Irishman Mark Allen on Friday.
And in just over a month the ambitious Scot heads to Sheffield for snooker’s most prestigious tournament at the Crucible Theatre.
He said: “Confidence-wise this must be the best I’ve felt going into the Worlds.
“I can’t have any more confidence going into the World Championship. I’m looking forward to the Crucible now.
“I thought I’d never win a tournament again but it’s been good because it has eased my expectations.
“I just accepted I might not win titles – it took the edge off desperately trying to be there at the end. That adds extra pressure.
“I’ve just not been beating myself up because of that but I’ve had a great season and winning this just tops it. I don’t think my belief is stronger than ever but when I was younger I honestly thought I’d win it. In the last few years I didn’t – I’d forgotten about that and not worried about it.
“I maybe could have won it 19 years ago when I was No. 2 in the world, I was maybe a bet ter player back then. But if I don’t win it I’m not too bothered.”
Maguire’s win saw his season earnings swell to an all-time high of £ 650,500.
But his first title since the 2013 Welsh Open has given him belief he can win more silverware at the top level.
He added: “Whatever happens now at the Crucible I can’t complain.”
Stephen Hendry was full of praise for Maguire and said: “It was just a wonderful display from Stephen – he was by far the better player in the Final. It was a fabulous performance.”