Bingham bounces back to grab glory
BY NEIL GOULDING STUART BINGHAM tasted sweet success for the first time since coming back from his betting ban by winning the English Open.
Bingham, who rose to the top of the game in 2015, was banned for six months last season due to betting breaches.
But the former world champion reclaimed his spot in the winner’s circle with a 9-7 win over veteran Mark Davis to lift the Steve Davis trophy last night.
Bingham’s best pal Davis was playing in the first ranking final of his 27-year career. And the golf buddies traded blows in a tightlyfought final at Crawley’s K2.
Neither player led by more than a single frame until Bingham wrapped up the title in a nip-andtuck final.
The first session ended all square at 4-4 with Davis pocketing breaks of 72 and 136 while Bingham blasted 51, 75 and 77 runs.
The two Englishmen were fighting for the £70,000 top prize but Bingham prevailed after chalking up further visits of 78, 73 and 82 to clinch a fifth ranking crown.
Davis hit valiant 94 and 65 breaks of his own in a worthy losing effort.
Meanwhile, TV pundit Neal Foulds has questioned Ronnie O’Sullivan’s decision to tamper with his technique after the Rocket’s 6-1 defeat in the semis.
Foulds said: “He played as badly against Davis on Saturday as I’ve seen him.”