Andrew Higginson
Encyclopedia
Andrew Higginson 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
.
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 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. As runner-up, Higginson earned £20,000 for his 147 break, £2000 for the highest break and £17,500 for being the runner-up.
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.
However, he qualified for the 2008 Grand Prix, losing 0–5 to Mark Selby
in the last 32. He then beat Jamie Jones
and Michael Judge
to make his Crucible debut in the 2009 World Championship, giving eventual finalist Shaun Murphy
a test, leading 7–6 before losing 8–10
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|width="20"|No.
|width="50"|Year
|width="250"|Championship
|width="200"|Opponent in the final
|width="100"|Score
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2007
| Welsh Open
|
| 8–9
|}
|width="80"|Outcome
|width="20"|No.
|width="50"|Year
|width="250"|Championship
|width="200"|Opponent in the final
|width="100"|Score
|-
|bgcolor="98FB98"|Winner || 1. || 2011 || Players Tour Championship – Event 5
||
John Higgins || 4–1
|}
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player, currently living in Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
. 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
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 SeriesInternational Open Series
The International Open Series , was a series of snooker tournaments that ran from the 2001/2002 season until the 2009/2010 season...
.
Breakthrough
He reached the last 16 at the 2007 Malta Cup2007 Malta Cup
-Final:-Qualifying:Qualifying for the tournament took place in Pontin's Prestatyn, Wales between 31 October and 3 November 2006.-Qualifying stages centuries:* 138 Mark Allen* 134, 100 Mark Davis* 131 Alfie Burden* 129 Mark King* 124, 102 Liang Wenbo...
where he beat Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
5–4 before losing 2–5 to Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
. At the very next tournament, the 2007 Welsh Open, Higginson hit an extraordinary run of form, making his first professional 147 break on his way to beating Ali Carter 5–1. He also beat John Higgins 5–3 (despite being 0–3 down), Michael Judge
Michael Judge
-External links:**...
5–1, and Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire is a Scottish professional snooker player.-Early career:Maguire almost qualified for the 2000 World Championships, leading eventual semi-finalist Joe Swail 9–6 in the final qualifying round before losing 9–10, but first served notice of his true potential by knocking out Stephen...
6–3 to reach the final. As he had spent the 2005/2006 season
Snooker season 2005/2006
The snooker season 2005/06 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2005 and 2006. The following table outlines the results and dates for the ranking and major invitational events that took place.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
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
Neil Robertson (snooker player)
Neil Robertson is an Australian professional snooker player and the 2010 World Champion and World #4...
. 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. 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 WaldenRicky Walden
-External links:**...
in the third qualifying round. His performance in the Welsh Open and Malta Cup brought him to 44th in the 2007/2008
Snooker world rankings 2007/2008
Snooker world rankings 2007/2008: The professional world rankings for the top 75 snooker players in the 2007/2008 season are listed below...
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.
However, he qualified for the 2008 Grand Prix, losing 0–5 to Mark Selby
Mark Selby
Mark Anthony Selby is an English professional snooker and pool player. Runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007, he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. Selby has won the Masters on two occasions, the Welsh Open and the Shanghai Masters...
in the last 32. He then beat Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones (snooker player)
-Early career:In 2002, he became the youngest ever player to make a 147 in an official event, making it aged 14, a record that has since been beaten by Judd Trump....
and Michael Judge
Michael Judge
-External links:**...
to make his Crucible debut in the 2009 World Championship, giving eventual finalist Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy (snooker player)
Shaun Murphy is an English professional snooker player, who won the 2005 World Championship. Nicknamed "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight cue action and his long potting. He is known for his dedication and for being a devout Christian.Born in Harlow, England, Murphy turned...
a test, leading 7–6 before losing 8–10
Ranking event finals: 1 (1 runner-up)
{|| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Legend
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| World Championship (0–0)
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| UK Championship (0–0)
|- bgcolor=
| Other (0–1)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|Outcome
|width="20"|No.
|width="50"|Year
|width="250"|Championship
|width="200"|Opponent in the final
|width="100"|Score
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2007
| Welsh Open
Welsh Open (snooker)
The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :...
|
| 8–9
|}
Minor-ranking finals: 1 (1 title)
{| class="sortable wikitable"|width="80"|Outcome
|width="20"|No.
|width="50"|Year
|width="250"|Championship
|width="200"|Opponent in the final
|width="100"|Score
|-
|bgcolor="98FB98"|Winner || 1. || 2011 || Players Tour Championship – Event 5
Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 – Event 5
The Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 – Event 5 minor-ranking snooker tournament took place between 21–25 September 2011, at the World Snooker Academy, Sheffield, England....
||
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)