Andrew Higginson

Andrew Higginson

Higginson at the 2011 Paul Hunter Classic
Born December 13, 1977 (1977-12-13) (age 34)
Cheshire
Sport country  England
Professional 1995–
Highest ranking 19 (1 month)
Current ranking 19
Career winnings £169,025[1]
Highest <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">break</dfn> 147 (2007 Welsh Open)
Best ranking finish Runner-Up, 2007 Welsh Open
Tournament wins
Minor-ranking 1

Andrew Higginson (born 13 December 1977, Cheshire, England) is an English professional snooker player, currently living in Widnes. He is best known for reaching the final of the 2007 Welsh Open as a virtual unknown. His career earnings are just over £160,000[1]

Contents

Early years

After some success in amateur tournaments, he turned professional for the 2000/2001 season after finishing third on the Challenge Tour. He remained there for five seasons before dropping off, after encountering limited success. He won a place back on the tour for 2006/2007 after finishing second on the Pontins' International Open Series.

Breakthrough

He reached the last 16 at the 2007 Malta Cup where he beat Steve Davis 5–4 before losing 2–5 to Ken Doherty. At the very next tournament, the 2007 Welsh Open, Higginson hit an extraordinary run of form, making his first professional 147 break[1] on his way to beating Ali Carter 5–1. He also beat John Higgins 5–3 (despite being 0–3 down), Michael Judge 5–1, and Stephen Maguire 6–3 to reach the final. As he had spent the 2005/2006 season on the secondary Challenge Tour, he was the first unranked player to reach a ranking final since Terry Griffiths won the World title in 1979. At the end of the first session of the final, he trailed 2–6 to Neil Robertson. In the second session, Higginson managed to take the lead and change the score to 8–6, but Robertson recovered to level the scores at 8–8 and force a deciding frame, which Robertson won.[2] As runner-up, Higginson earned £20,000 for his 147 break, £2000 for the highest break and £17,500 for being the runner-up.

Subsequent career

Despite his good season, Higginson failed to qualify for the 2007 World Championship, losing 9–10 to Ricky Walden in the third qualifying round. His performance in the Welsh Open and Malta Cup brought him to 44th in the 2007/2008 rankings, and 24th on the one-year list.

The following season proved tougher, with Higginson only qualifying for one event – the 2008 Welsh Open again.[3]

However, he qualified for the 2008 Grand Prix, losing 0–5 to Mark Selby in the last 32.[4] He then beat Jamie Jones and Michael Judge to make his Crucible debut in the 2009 World Championship,[5] giving eventual finalist Shaun Murphy a test, leading 7–6 [6] before losing 8–10[7]

Career finals

Ranking event finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Legend
World Championship (0–0)
UK Championship (0–0)
Other (0–1)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 2007 Welsh Open Robertson, NeilNeil Robertson 8–9

Minor-ranking finals: 1 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 2011 Players Tour Championship – Event 5 John Higgins 4–1

Amateur events

  • North West Championship (1998, 1999)
  • Merseyside Junior Championship (1997)
  • North West Pairs Championship (1996)
  • North West Junior Championship (1995)

References

External Links