Scottish snooker legend John Higgins has won the World Open Championship in Shangrao, east China’s Jiangxi Province, after defeating England’s Joe O’Connor 10-6 in the final. This victory marks Higgins’ first ranking title in four years and his 32nd ranking title overall.
The 49-year-old, affectionately known as “The Wizard of Wishaw,” displayed exceptional skill and experience against 29-year-old O’Connor, who had impressed throughout the tournament by defeating top players like world No.1 Judd Trump and recent Triple Crown winner Shaun Murphy.
The final began with a closely contested first frame, which Higgins claimed 66-63. Building on this momentum, he secured five of the next seven frames in the first session, leading 6-2. Despite O’Connor’s efforts to rally in the second session, including a highest break of 71 in the 10th frame, Higgins maintained his lead.
Leading 9-6 after 15 frames, Higgins sealed his triumph with a century break of 100—the only century of the final. His victory ended a streak of five ranking event final losses and made him the oldest ranking event winner since 1986.
“I’m just delighted. I am drained; there has been a lot of nervous energy in the last couple of days. I am dead proud to win another big event at this age,” Higgins said after the match. “I didn’t know if I was going to win another event because I have taken so many devastating losses over the last three or four years. To come back and win this is a proud moment.”
He also praised his opponent: “Joe didn’t play his best today, having been unbelievable all week. He didn’t have the same game he had against Shaun, Judd, and Ali. The first frame was massive because he had a chance to win it on the last black, and if he had gone 1-0 up, he would have taken confidence. I kept him under pressure; my safety was pretty good all day. He’s a great all-round player but just didn’t turn up today. He’ll come again, I’m sure.”
