Four in a woe for Higgins after Scottish Open pain

John Higgins is licking his wounds once again after his final curse continued with defeat at the Scottish Open on Sunday.

TheWizard ofWishaw was beaten 9-5 by Belgian Luca Brecel in the final of his home tournament, which was being held inWales due to contractual issues with the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, due to betting sponsorship, and date clashes at other venues.

Higgins had reached the final following a 6-1 thrashing of familiar foe Ronnie O’Sullivan in Saturday’s semi-final, but he suffered the same fate that befell him at the English Open, Northern Ireland Open and Champion of Champions events this season as he had to settle for the runner-up prize.

The 46-year-old has now lost eight of his last nine major finals, with his Players’Championship success over O’Sullivan last year his first title since 2018.

It was another sore one for the four-time world champion but he was graceful in defeat as he praised his 26-year-old rival.

Higgins said:“He was too good, he really was.The style he plays the game, we’re lucky with snooker right now because kids are watching superstars wanting to be the next Luca Brecel.

“I felt so good.The conditions were amazing.There were a couple of shots I was like‘oh, oh’ but Luca capitalised on my mistakes and put me on the back foot.

“It was a pleasure to watch him really. He won a few tournaments then went missing for a few years, but hopefully this is him here for good now. He is one of the best players in the world.”

Brecel picked up a winners’ cheque for £70,000 and lifted the Stephen Hendry trophy.

This week Higgins competes in theWorld Grand Prix in Coventry.