Higgins takes Rocket to top and rolls back years
Scot wins first title in three years at Players’
SUBLIME Scot John Higgins toasted sweet success last night as he won his first ranking title for THREE years.
The Wizard of Wishaw hammered arch-rival Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-3 in the Players’ Championship final at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
And with a special victory over the Rocket, four-time world champ Higgo pocketed the £125,000 top prize.
Amazingly it was the 45-yearold’s first ranking title since winning the Welsh Open in February 2018.
Higgins said: “It’s the best week I’ve ever had. I’ve won world titles and different tournaments, but this is an unbelievable feather in my cap.
“But the whole week how I’ve felt and the calibre of players I’ve beat convincingly, it’s up there.
“I’ve never had a week where I’ve dominated in that fashion, usually I’m scrapping it out. I went through the field quite easily, it’s been amazing.”
Breaks of 142, 138, 127, 92, 77, 70, 68, 51 did the damage as Higgins powered 4-0 ahead and never looked back as he notched up the 31st ranking crown of his illustrious career.
Defeat for The Rocket means that O’Sullivan has lost all four of the finals he’s played in since winning last season’s World Championship.
But despite a disappointing defeat the world No 2 still banked £60,000 as a worthy runner-up and an extra £10,000 for the tournament highest break of 144.
O’Sullivan said: “John was just unbelievable. It’s great to see such a great player back winning and it’s good for snooker.”