HIGGO EYEING MASTERSSPOT

JOHN HIGGINS made his experience count to move a step closer to European Masters qualification.

The four-time world champ produced a battling 5-2 win over promising Chinese potter Lei Peifan in the penultimate round of qualifying yesterday.

And with victory at Barnsley’s Metrodome the Scot must win one more match today to make sure he qualifies for next month’s event in Austria.

Higgins had runs of 67, 55, 50 and 42, and now faces China’s Yuan Sijun.

Glasgow’s Fraser Patrick beat England’s Mark Davis 5-3 in one of the best wins of his fledgling career and now faces Fergal O’Brien. ATHLETICS: Callum Hawkins is ready to gear up to chase Olympic gold next summer after he was preselected for the British team for Tokyo 2020.

The 27-year-old, fourth at October’s world championships in Doha, was the only runner given an advance spot.

It will allow the Scot to prepare for the Games without competing at April’s trials at the London Marathon in a major boost to his chances of arriving in Sapporo in top form, as he bids to improve on his ninth place at Rio 2016.

Hawkins said: “I feel I’ve progressed a lot in the past five years and been to major championships. But I’m not in any doubt that the level of competition in Japan will be even tougher than Doha.

“That’s just the way I feel because I’m sure the very fact it’s the Olympics

EURO CHALLENGE Higgins will motivate people even more.

“I won’t have any fear, though. I’ll go out there feeling no pressure and, assuming everything has gone well in the build-up, I will really go for it.” GOLF: Scot Calum Hill tees-up on Australia’s Gold Coast for this week’s Australian PGA Championship already focusing on a gleaming silver end to his rookie season. The Kirkcaldy ace said: “The Rookie of the Year Award is on my mind, it has to be.” RUGBY: Edinburgh hooker Stuart McInally admits he can’t wait for Saturday’s clash with Glasgow after Scotland’s World Cup woe.

The Scots captain said: “I’m buzzing. It’s amazing you go from after a World Cup never wanting to think about rugby ever again to coming back to Edinburgh, getting back together with your mates you play every day with and the dynamic changes.” SWIMMING: Fifer Mark Szaranek aims to hit the jackpot when he swims inside a Las Vegas casino.

The California Condors event takes place in the Mandalay Bay. Szaranek said: “It’s going to be outrageous. It’s groundbreaking in swimming.”