Wikipedia

Alex Higgins


Alexander Gordon Higgins (18 Mairch 1949 – 24 Julie 2010)[4] wis a Northern Irish professional snooker player. Nicknamed Hurricane Higgins acause of his fast play,[5] he wis Warld Champion in 1972 an 1982, an rinner-up in 1976 an 1980. He wan the UK Championship in 1983 an the Masters in 1978 an 1981, makkin him ane o eleiven players tae hae completit snooker's Triple Crown. Forby he wis Warld Doubles champion wi Jimmy White in 1984, an wan the Warld Cup three times wi the Aw-Ireland team.

Alex Higgins
Higgins in 2008.
Born18 Mairch 1949(1949-03-18)
Belfast, Northren Ireland
Dee'd24 Julie 2010(2010-07-24) (aged 61)
Belfast, Northren Ireland
Sport kintra Northren Ireland
NicknameHurricane,[1] The Irish Hurricane
Professional1971–1997[2]
Heichest rankin2 (1976/77 an 1982/83)[3]
Career winnins£711,999
Heichest break142: 1985 British Open[3]
Century braks82
Toornament wins
Rankin1
Non-rankin23
Warld Champion

Higgins cam tae be kent as the "People's Champion" acause o his popularity,[6] an is aften credited wi haein brocht the gemm o snooker tae a wider audience, contributin tae its peak in popularity in the 1980s.[7] He haed a reputation as a unpredictable an difficult character.[8] He smokit a lot,[9] struggled wi the drink an gamblin,[7][10] an admitted tae uisin cocaine an marijuana.[5] First diagnosed wi cancer o the thrapple in 1998,[11] Higgins dee'd frae a wheen things in his Belfast hame on the 24 Julie 2010. Higgins aye hauds the hiechest break tae win a Warld Championship, bein 135 in the 1982 final agin Ray Reardon.[citation needit]

Life an career

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Early life

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Higgins (richt) wi David Taylor at a exhibietion at Queen's University Belfast, 1968

Higgins wis raised in the Kirk o Ireland.[11] He stairtit playin snooker whan he wis 11,[12] aften in the Jampot club in his native Sandy Row area o sooth Belfast an later in the YMCA in the heid o the toun. He flittit til England for a career as a jockey whan he wis 14. Houaniver, he niver made the grade cause he wis ower hivy tae ride in a competitive settin. He gaed back tae Belfast an bi 1965, aged 16, he haed compiled his first maximum break.[12] In 1968 he won the Aw-Ireland an Northern Ireland Amateur Snooker Championships.[citation needit]

Warld titles

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Higgins turned professional whan he wis 22, winnin the Warld Championship at his first attempt in 1972, agin John Spencer winnin 37–32.[13] Higgins wis the yungest iver winner o the title in the time, a record that wis keepit until Stephen Hendry's 1990 win at the age o 21.[14] In Apryle 1976, Higgins reached the final again an faced Ray Reardon.[citation needit] Higgins led 11–9, but Reardon made fower centuries an seiven breaks ower 60 tae pull awa an win the title for the fift time wi the score o 27–16. Higgins wis the rinner-up tae Cliff Thorburn in 1980, lossin 18–16, efter bein 9–5 up. Higgins wan the warld title for a seicont time in 1982 efter baetin Reardon 18–15 (wi a 135 tot clearance in the final frame); it wis a emotional an professional win for him. Higgins wad hae been ranked No. 1 in the warld rankins for the 1982/83 season haed he nae forfeited rankin pynts follaein disciplinary action.[15][16]

Ither wins

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Ootthrou his career, Higgins wan 20 ither titles, ane o the maist notable anes bein the 1983 UK Championship. In the final he trailed Steve Davis 0–7 afore producin a famous comeback tae win 16–15.[17] He wan the Masters twice, in 1978 an in 1981, baetin Cliff Thorburn (a man that, at ae pynt, caaed doun Higgins wi ae swift punch [18]) an Terry Griffiths in the finals respectively.[19] Anither kenspeckle win wis his last professional win in the 1989 Irish Masters at the age o 40 whan he baet a yung Stephen Hendry. This wis the last professional tournament he wan, an is aften cryed "The Hurricane's Last Hurrah".[citation needit]

Efter retirement

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Efter his retirement frae the professional gemm, Higgins spent time playin for smaw sums o siller in an aboot Northern Ireland. He made appearances in the 2005 an 2006 Irish Professional Championship, thir comebacks endin in first-roond defeats bi Garry Hardiman an Joe Delaney respectively.

On the 12 Juin 2007, it wis reportit that Higgins haed battert a referee at a charity match in the north-east o England.[20] Higgins returned tae competitive action in September 2007 at the Irish Professional Championship in Dublin but wis whitewashed 0–5 bi umwhile British Open champion Fergal O'Brien in the first roond at the Spawell Club, Templeogue.[21]

Higgins wad keep playin aften an enjoyed "hustling" aw comers for smaw-time stakes in clubs in Northern Ireland an ithergates; in May 2009 he entered the Northern Ireland Amateur Championship, "for tae gie it a crack",[22] but failed tae appear for his match.

On 8 Apryle 2010, Higgins wis pairt o the first Snooker Legends Tour event in Sheffield, at the Crucible. Appearin alang wi ither professionals that retired or wad retire suin, the likes o John Parrott, Jimmy White, John Virgo an Cliff Thorburn, he faced Thorburn in his match, but lost 2–0.[23]

It is estimatit that Higgins earnt an spent £3–4 million in his career as a snooker player.[24][25]

Wey o playin

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Higgins's speed aroond the table, his ability tae pot baas at howdy heest an flamboyant style got him the tae-name "Hurricane Higgins" an made him a hiech-profile player. His rael byordinar cuein technique whiles haed a body swerve, as weel as a stance that wis fairly hie-er nor that o maist professional players.[citation needit]

The byordinar play o Higgins wis encapsulated in his break of 69, made unner byordinar pressure, agin Jimmy White in the penultimate frame o thair Warld Professional Snooker Championship semi-final in 1982. Higgins wis 0–59 doun in that frame, but managed tae compile a rael challengin clearance whaur he wis haurdly in poseetion until the colours. In partiecular, umwhile warld champion Dennis Taylor considers a three-quarter-baa pot on a blue intae the green pocket partiecular memorable, nae anly for it bein awfu haurd, but for lattin Higgins continue the break an keep White aff o the table an unable tae clinch veectory at that moment. In pottin the blue, Higgins screwed the cue-baa ontae the side cushion tae bring it back tae the black/pink bit wi extreme left-haund sidespin, a shot Taylor trews coud be played 100 times wioot comin near the poseetion Higgins reached wi cue-baa. He gaed a tait ower faur for ideal poseetion on his niest reid but the match-savin break wis alive yet.[26][citation needit]

Professionalism an behaviour

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Higgins drank alcohol an smokit whan tournaments wis gaun on, as did a wheen o his contemporaries. A volatile personality got him intae a lot o fechts an airguments, baith on an aff o the snooker table. Ane o the maist serious clashes wis whan he pat the heid on a tournament offiecial at the UK championship in 1986 efter a airgument. This incident saw Higgins bein fined £12,000 an baured frae five tournaments,[27] while he wis convicted o assault an criminal damage frae the incident, an wis fined £250 bi a coort.[28]

Anither incident cam at the 1990 Warld Championship; efter lossin his first-roond match tae Steve James, he punched tournament offiecial Colin Randle in the wame afore the stairt o a press conference whaur he annunced his retirement, an abused the media as he left. This follaed anither incident at the Warld Cup, whaur he repeatedly argued wi fellae player an compatriot Dennis Taylor, an threatened tae hae him shot. For his conduct, Higgins wis banned for the rest o the season an aw o the niest ane.[29]

Durin the Warld Trickshot Championship in 1991, Higgins demonstrated whit leukit like his iegnorance o hou a professional snooker player shoud behave, whan he descrived the black baa as "Muhammad Ali" in his performance afore a live audience an TV cameras,[30] which caused a visibly pained expression frae Barry Hearn an an exclamation frae judge Steve Davis that his score wis aaready laich afore the shot wis even played.

Ootwi snooker

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At the time of his 1972 triumph at the Warld Championship, Higgins haed nae permanent hame an bi his ain accoont haed bidden in a raw o abandoned hooses in Blackburn no lang syne, that wis waitin tae be caaed doun. In ae ouk he haed flittit intae five different hooses on the same street, flittin doun ane ilka time his current hoose wis caaed doun.[31]

In 1975, Higgins's son wis born. Higgins wis first mairit on Cara Hasler in Apryle 1975 in Sydney. Thay haed a dochter Christel[10] an divorced. His seicont mairiage wis tae Lynn Avison in 1980. Thay haed a dochter Lauren (born late 1980)[32] an son Jordan (born Mairch 1983).[11][33] Thay split in 1985[28] an divorced. In the same year, Higgins began a relationship wi Siobhan Kidd, endin in 1989 efter he allegedly hat her wi a hairdryer.[34]

He wis freends wi Oliver Reed for a lang time.[35]

He wis the subject o This Is Your Life in 1981 when he wis surprised bi Eamonn Andrews.[citation needit]

In 1983 Higgins helped a yung boy frae Manchester, a fan o his that haed been in a coma for twa month. His paurents wis growin desperate an wrat tae Higgins. He recordit messages on tape an sent thaim tae the boy wi his best wishes. He later visited the boy in hospital an played a snooker match he promised tae hae wi him whan he got better.[36]

In 1996, Higgins wis convicted o settin aboot a 14-year-auld boy,[25] while in 1997 than-girlfriend Holly Haise stabbit him three times in a domestic airgument.[28] He published his autobiography, From the Eye of the Hurricane: My Story, in 2007.[37] Higgins appeared in the Sporting Stars edition o the British telly quiz The Weakest Link on the 25 Julie 2009.[38]

Illness an daith

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For a lot o years, Higgins smokit a lot. He reportedly smokit 80 cigarettes a day.[39] He haed cancerous growths remuved frae his mooth in 1994 an 1996.[40] In Juin 1998, he wis fund tae hae cancer o the thrapple;[11] on the 13 October that year, he haed major surgery.[41] He coud anly speak in a whisper in his last years.[42]

In early 2010 he suffered frae pneumonia an breithin problems,[43] an on the 31 Mairch he wis taen tae the hospital.[44] In Apryle 2010 Higgins' friends annunced that thay haed setten up a campaign tae help raise the £20,000 he needit for teeth implants, tae lat him eat richt again an pit on wecht. Higgins haed lost his teeth efter intensive radiotherapy uised tae treat his thrapple cancer. It wis reportit that syne losin thaim he haed been livin on liquid maet, an haed become aye mair depressed, even thinkin aboot makkin wey o hissel.[45] He wis ower seek an frail tae hae the implants fittit.[46] Maugre o his illness, Higgins wad keep smokin cigarettes an drinkin a lot until the end o his life.[47] He wis taen til the hospital again in Mey.[42]

Bi the simmer o 2010, Higgins' wecht haed faaen doun tae 6 stone (38 kilogram).[25] Aatho he haed ance been wirth £4 million, he wis bankrupt an leeved on a £200-a-week disability allouance.[45] He wis fund deid in bed in his flat on the 24 Julie 2010.[4][33] The cause o daith wis malnutrition, pneumonia, teeth decay, an a bronchial condeetion, awtho his dochter Lauren sayed that he wis clear frae cancer o the thrapple whan he dee'd.[48]

Higgins' funeral service wis hauden at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast on the 2 August 2010. He wis buirit in Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey, Coonty Antrim. Amang the snooker professionals that wis thare wis Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Joe Swail,[49] Shaun Murphy an John Virgo.[50] Doherty an White wis pall bearers.

Legacy

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Alex Higgins wis a inspiration tae a lot o professional snooker players, the likes o Ken Doherty, Jimmy White an Ronnie O'Sullivan. In Clive Everton's TV documentary The Story of Snooker (2002), Steve Davis descrived Higgins as the "ae true genius that snooker haes gien us",[51] awtho the autobiography o a contemporary leadin professional Willie Thorne characterised Higgins as "no a great player".[52] Higgins arguably fulfilled his potential anly intermittently in his career peak in the 1970s an 80s; Everton pits this doun tae Davis an Ray Reardon maistly bein ower consistent for him.[53]

Regairdless, Higgins' excitin style an explosive persona helpit mak snooker a growin telly sport in the 1970s an 1980s. Higgins made the first 16-reid clearance (in a challenge match in 1976); it wis a break of 146 (wi the broun as the first "reid", an 16 colours: 1 green, 5 pinks an 10 blacks).[54]

In 2011, Event 8 o the Players Tour Championship wis renamed as the Alex Higgins International Trophy.[55] In 2016, WPBSA preses Barry Hearn annunced that the trophy for the new Northern Ireland Open tournament wad be caaed efter Higgins.[56][57]

Higgins' professional rivalry wi Steve Davis wis portrayed in a 2016 BBC featur film caaed The Rack Pack, whaur he wis played bi Luke Treadaway.[58]

Performance an rankins timeline

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Tournament 1971/
72 		1972/
73 		1973/
74 		1974/
75 		1975/
76 		1976/
77 		1977/
78 		1978/
79 		1979/
80 		1980/
81 		1981/
82 		1982/
83 		1983/
84 		1984/
85 		1985/
86 		1986/
87 		1987/
88 		1988/
89 		1989/
90 		1990/
91 		1991/
92 		1992/
93 		1993/
94 		1994/
95 		1995/
96 		1996/
97
rankin[59] No rankin seestem 2 5 7 11 4 11 2 5 9 9 6 9 17 24 97 120 72 61 48 51 99
rankin tournaments
Asian Classic[nb 1] Tournament Not Held NR QF WD 3R LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
Grand Prix Tournament Not Held 2R 1R 2R 3R 3R A F 2R A LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ
UK Championship Non-rankin Event F 3R SF 2R 2R 2R A 1R 1R 1R 3R LQ LQ
German Open Tournament Not Held LQ WD
Welsh Open Tournament Not Held LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
International Open[nb 2] Tournament Not Held NR 2R 1R QF 3R 2R A 1R 1R Not Held LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ
European Open Tournament Not Held 2R 2R WD LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ
Thailand Open[nb 3] Tournament Not Held Non-rankin Event Not Held 2R WD LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ WD
British Open[nb 4] Tournament Not Held Non-rankin Event SF SF 1R 1R 2R F A LQ 1R LQ 1R LQ LQ
Warld Championship W SF QF SF F 1R 1R QF F 2R W SF 1R 2R 2R 2R 1R LQ 1R A LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ
Non-rankin tournaments
Scottish Masters Tournament Not Held SF F SF SF QF F QF NH A A A A A A A A
The Masters Not Held QF QF SF W F F W SF 1R QF QF 1R F QF A WR A LQ LQ LQ A LQ A
Irish Masters[nb 5] Not Held F F W SF SF SF SF SF SF SF F 1R 1R SF W QF A 1R A A A A A
European League[nb 6] Tournament Not Held RR Not Held A A RR A A A A A A A A
Pontins Professional Not Held A A A A RR A A A QF A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Former rankin tournaments
Canadian Masters[nb 7] Not Held Non-rankin Tournament Not Held Non-rankin LQ Tournament Not Held
Hong Kong Open[nb 8] Tournament Not Held Non-rankin Event NH 3R Tournament Not Held NR NR NH
Classic Tournament Not Held Non-rankin Event 2R 2R QF 2R 3R 2R 2R A LQ Tournament Not Held
Strachan Open Tournament Not Held LQ MR NR Not Held
Former non-rankin tournaments
Park Drive 2000 (Spring) F Tournament Not Held
Park Drive 2000 (Autumn) A F Tournament Not Held
Men Of The Midlands W W Tournament Not Held
Norwich Union Open Not Held SF SF Tournament Not Held
Watney Open Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Canadian Club Masters Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Warld Matchplay Championship Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
Dry Blackthorn Cup Tournament Not Held F Tournament Not Held
Holsten Lager International Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Forward Chemicals Tournament Tournament Not Held RR Tournament Not Held
Padmore Super Crystalate Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Pontins Camber Sands Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Champion of Champions Tournament Not Held F NH RR Tournament Not Held
International Open[nb 9] Tournament Not Held SF rankin Event Not Held rankin Event
Northern Ireland Classic Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
Highland Masters Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Classic Tournament Not Held F QF SF 1R rankin Event Tournament Not Held
Tolly Cobbold Classic Tournament Not Held W W SF A QF A Tournament Not Held
UK Championship Tournament Not Held SF SF QF F QF F W rankin Event
British Open[nb 10] Tournament Not Held W RR RR RR RR rankin Event
KitKat Break for Warld Champions Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Pot Black A RR A A A A RR A A RR RR RR 1R A 1R Tournament Not Held A A A Not Held
Carlsberg Challenge Tournament Not Held SF F SF A A Tournament Not Held
Canadian Masters[nb 11] Not Held SF W F W SF SF SF Tournament Not Held A SF A R Tournament Not Held
Hong Kong Open[nb 12] Tournament Not Held A A A RR QF A 1R A SF NH R Tournament Not Held A A NH
Hong Kong Gold Cup Tournament Not Held F Tournament Not Held
International League Tournament Not Held RR Tournament Not Held
Warld Seniors Championship Tournament Not Held 1R Tournament Not Held
Irish Professional Championship W Tournament Not Held W W W F A F W NH F F WD QF W Not Held A QF Tournament Not Held
Tenball Tournament Not Held QF Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early roonds o the tournament
(WR = Wildcard roond, RR = Roond robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did nae qualify for the tournament A did nae participate in the tournament WD withdrew frae the tournament
NH / Not Held means an event wis nae held.
NR / Non-rankin Event means an event is/wis no langer a rankin event.
R / rankin Event means an event is/wis a rankin event.
  1. ↑ The event wis also cried the Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Dubai Classic (1989/90–1994/1995) an Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
  2. ↑ The event wis also cried the Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
  3. ↑ The event wis also cried the Thailand Masters (1983/1984–1986/1987 & 1991/1992) an the Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993)
  4. ↑ The event wis also cried the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) an International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  5. ↑ The event wis also cried the Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament (1974/1975–1976/1977)
  6. ↑ The event wis also cried the Professional Snooker League (1983/1984), Matchroom League (1986/1987 til 1991/1992)
  7. ↑ The event wis also cried the Canadian Open (1974/1975–1980/1981)
  8. ↑ The event ran unner sindry names siclik the Australian Masters (1983/1984 til 1987/1988 an 1995/1996) an Australian Open (1994/1995).
  9. ↑ The event wis also cried the Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
  10. ↑ The event wis also cried the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) an International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  11. ↑ The event wis also cried the Canadian Open (1974/1975–1980/1981)
  12. ↑ The event ran unner sindry names siclik the Australian Masters (1983/1984 til 1987/1988 an 1995/1996) an Australian Open (1994/1995).

Career finals

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Rankin finals: 6 (1 title, 5 rinner-ups)

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Legend
Warld Championship (1–2)
UK Championship (0–1)
Ither (0–2)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Rinner-up 1. 1976 Warld Championship   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 16–27
Rinner-up 2. 1980 Warld Championship (2)   Thorburn, CliffCliff Thorburn 16–18
Winner 1. 1982 Warld Championship (2)   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 18–15
Rinner-up 3. 1984 UK Championship (3)   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 8–16
Rinner-up 4. 1988 Grand Prix   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 6–10
Rinner-up 5. 1990 British Open   Chaperon, BobBob Chaperon 8–10

Non-rankin finals: 50 (23 titles, 27 rinner-ups)

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Legend
Warld Championship (1–0) [nb 1]
UK Championship (1–2) [nb 2]
The Masters (2–3)
Ither (19–22)

[60] [61] [62]

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1972 Men o the Midlands   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 4–2
Winner 2. 1972 Irish Professional Championship   Rea, JackieJackie Rea 28–12
Winner 3. 1972 Warld Championship   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 37–32
Rinner-up 1. 1972 Park Drive 2000 – Spring   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 3–4
Rinner-up 2. 1972 Park Drive 2000 – Autumn   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 3–5
Winner 4. 1973 Men o the Midlands (2)   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 5–3
Winner 5. 1974 Watney Open   Davis, FredFred Davis 17–11
Rinner-up 3. 1974 Jackpot Automatics   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 0–5
Rinner-up 4. 1975 Ashton Court Country Club Event   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 1–5
Winner 6. 1975 Canadian Open   Pulman, JohnJohn Pulman 15–7
Rinner-up 5. 1975 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament   John Spencer 7–9
Winner 7. 1976 Canadian Club Masters   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 6–4
Rinner-up 6. 1976 Canadian Open   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 9–17
Rinner-up 7. 1976 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament   John Spencer 0–5
Winner 8. 1977 Canadian Open (2)   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 17–14
Rinner-up 8. 1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup   Fagan, PatsyPatsy Fagan 2–4
Winner 9. 1977 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 5–3
Winner 10. 1978 Irish Professional Championship (2)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 21–7
Winner 11. 1978 The Masters   Thorburn, CliffCliff Thorburn 7–5
Rinner-up 9. 1978 Castle Professional   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 3–5
Winner 12. 1978 Irish Professional Championship (3)   Fagan, PatsyPatsy Fagan 21–13
Rinner-up 10. 1978 Champion of Champions   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 9–11
Rinner-up 11. 1978 Suffolk Professional Invitational   Patsy Fagan 3–7
Rinner-up 12. 1979 The Masters   Mans, PerriePerrie Mans 4–8
Winner 13. 1979 Tolly Cobbold Classic   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 5–4
Winner 14. 1979 Irish Professional Championship (4)   Fagan, PatsyPatsy Fagan 21–12
Winner 15. 1980 Padmore Super Crystalate International   Mans, PerriePerrie Mans 4–2
Rinner-up 13. 1980 The Classic   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 3–4
Winner 16. 1980 Tolly Cobbold Classic (2)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 5–4
Rinner-up 14. 1980 The Masters (2)   Griffiths, TerryTerry Griffiths 5–9
Winner 17. 1980 British Gold Cup   Reardon, RayRay Reardon 5–1
Rinner-up 15. 1980 Irish Professional Championship   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 15–21
Winner 18. 1980 Pontins Camber Sands   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 9–7
Rinner-up 16. 1980 UK Championship   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 6–16
Winner 19. 1981 The Masters (2)   Griffiths, TerryTerry Griffiths 9–6
Rinner-up 17. 1982 Irish Professional Championship (2)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 13–16
Rinner-up 18. 1982 Scottish Masters   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 4–9
Rinner-up 19. 1982 UK Championship (2)   Griffiths, TerryTerry Griffiths 15–16
Winner 20. 1983 Irish Professional Championship (5)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 16–11
Winner 21. 1983 UK Championship   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 16–15
Rinner-up 20. 1985 Irish Masters   White, JimmyJimmy White 5–9
Rinner-up 21. 1985 Irish Professional Championship (3)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 5–10
Rinner-up 22. 1985 Carlsberg Challenge   White, JimmyJimmy White 3–8
Rinner-up 23. 1986 Irish Professional Championship (4)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 7–10
Rinner-up 24. 1986 Scottish Masters (2)   Thorburn, CliffCliff Thorburn 8–9
Rinner-up 25. 1987 The Masters (3)   Taylor, DennisDennis Taylor 8–9
Rinner-up 26. 1988 WPBSA Invitational – Event 1   Wilkinson, GaryGary Wilkinson 4–5
Winner 22. 1989 Irish Professional Championship (6)   McLaughlin, JackJack McLaughlin 9–7
Rinner-up 27. 1989 Hong Kong Gold Cup   Davis, SteveSteve Davis 3–6
Winner 23. 1989 Irish Masters   Stephen Hendry 9–8

Pro-am finals: 3 (2 titles, 1 rinner-up)

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Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1975 Castle Open   Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer 5–2
Winner 2. 1977 Pontins Spring Open   Griffiths, TerryTerry Griffiths 7–4[63]
Rinner-up 1. 1988 Dutch Open   Birch, JonathanJonathan Birch 2–6

Team finals: 5 (4 titles, 1 rinner-up)

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Outcome No. Year Championship Team/pairtner Opponent(s) in the final Score
Winner 1. 1984 Warld Doubles Championship   White, JimmyJimmy White   Thorburn, CliffCliff Thorburn
  Thorne, WillieWillie Thorne 		10–2
Winner 2. 1985 Warld Cup Ireland   Ingland 9–7
Winner 3. 1986 Warld Cup (2) Ireland   Canadae 9–7
Winner 4. 1987 Warld Cup (3) Ireland   Canadae 9–2
Rinner-up 1. 1990 Warld Cup   Northren Ireland   Canadae 5–9

Amateur finals: 3 (2 titles, 1 rinner-up)

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Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1968 Northern Ireland Amateur Championship   Maurice Gill 4–1[64]
Winner 2. 1968 Aw-Ireland Amateur Championship   [61]
Rinner-up 1. 1969 Northern Ireland Amateur Championship   Dessie Anderson 0–4[61]

Notes

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  1. ↑ The Warld Championship didnae become a rankin event until 1974
  2. ↑ The UK Championship didnae become a rankin event until 1984

References

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  1. ↑ Hughes, Simon (25 Januar 2003). "These days Hurricane Higgins is running out of wind". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. Archived frae the original on 30 Mairch 2008. Retrieved 28 Apryle 2008.
  2. ↑ "Then and Now: Alex Higgins". Eurosport. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 14 Januar 2010.
  3. ↑ a b Chris, Turner (3 August 2010). "Alex Higgins". Chris Turners Snooker Archive. Archived frae the original on 10 Februar 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  4. ↑ a b Boyle, Simon (24 Julie 2010). "Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies, aged 61". London: The Telegraph. Archived frae the original on 27 Julie 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  5. ↑ a b "Obituary: Alex Higgins". BBC. 24 Julie 2010. Archived frae the original on 26 Julie 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  6. ↑ Weber, Bruce (31 Julie 2010). "Alex Higgins, the Bombastic 'People's Champion' of Pro Snooker, Dies at 61". New York Times. Archived frae the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  7. ↑ a b Neenan, Bill (24 Julie 2010). "Snooker's elite pay tribute to the inspiration of Alex Higgins". London: guardian.co.uk. Archived frae the original on 29 Julie 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  8. ↑ Marsden, Jean (30 Julie 2010). "Hurricane Higgins used to live in Cuffley". Hertfordshire Mercury (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 2 Mey 2017. Retrieved 21 Mey 2020.
  9. ↑ "Where are they now?". BBC Sport. 24 Julie 2010. Retrieved 31 Januar 2002.
  10. ↑ a b "Hurricane warning". Irish Independent. 19 October 2002.
  11. ↑ a b c d "Alex Higgins". Talk Snooker. 24 Julie 2010. Archived frae the original on 17 Julie 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010. Archived 2010-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ a b "World Snooker Profile". WPBSA. Archived frae the original on 24 Februar 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Where are they now? – Alex Higgins". johnvirgo.com. Archived frae the original on 17 Apryle 2008. Retrieved 9 Apryle 2008. Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ "1990 – Cue Stephen Hendry". BBC Sport. 12 Apryle 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  15. ↑ Osley, Richard; Gray, Sadie (25 Julie 2010). "Snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins is dead". London: The Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  16. ↑ "Alex Higgins: The genius". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 26 Julie 2010. Archived frae the original on 20 Julie 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  17. ↑ "UK Championship history". BBC Sport. 2 December 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "TOP 5 SNOOKER BUST-UPS". World Snooker.
  19. ↑ Burnett, Mike (12 Januar 2006). "Masters history". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  20. ↑ "Higgins 'hits ref' at fund-raiser". BBC Sport. 12 Juin 2007. Archived frae the original on 30 Juin 2007. Retrieved 12 Juin 2007.
  21. ↑ "News". Eurosport. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007.[deid airtin]
  22. ↑ "Higgins goes back to his roots". BBC Sport. 9 Mey 2009. Retrieved 12 Mey 2009.
  23. ↑ "Crucible 2010". Snooker Legends Tour. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  24. ↑ "Cancer-stricken Higgins urged by friends to dodge cameras at funeral". The Examiner. 10 October 1997. Archived frae the original on 3 Mey 2007. Retrieved 20 Apryle 2007. Archived 2007-05-03 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ↑ a b c Craig, Olga (25 Julie 2010). "Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies, aged 61". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived frae the original on 5 Januar 2016. Retrieved 21 Mey 2020.
  26. ↑ Video on YouTube
  27. ↑ "Bad Boys: Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins". BBC Sport. 11 Apryle 2003. Retrieved 1 Mey 2009.
  28. ↑ a b c "The turbulent life and times of Alex Higgins". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 Julie 2010.
  29. ↑ Yates, Phil (4 Mey 2007). "Top five controversial incidents". London: Times Online. Archived frae the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  30. ↑ Matchroom Snooker VHS MIS 10002 World Trickshot Championship by Mistrial Publishing
  31. ↑ Byrne, Robert (1990). Byrne's Advanced Technique in Pool an Billiards.
  32. ↑ Everton, Clive (25 Julie 2010). "Alex Higgins, snooker's anti-hero, dies aged 61". guardian.co.uk. London.
  33. ↑ a b "Snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies at 61". BBC. Julie 2010. Archived frae the original on 24 Julie 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  34. ↑ "Alex Hurricane Higgins' last interview". The Belfast Telegraph.
  35. ↑ "Eye of the hurricane". London: The Observer. 6 October 2002. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  36. ↑ "Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies, aged 61". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived frae the original on 5 Januar 2016. Retrieved 23 Januar 2016.
  37. ↑ Hattenstone, Simon (16 Juin 2007). "The people's grouch". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  38. ↑ https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-lovehate-affair-with-tobacco-28548778.html
  39. ↑ "Snooker star Alex Higgins found dead at Belfast home". Daily Express. 26 Julie 2010. Retrieved 26 Julie 2010.
  40. ↑ Hodgson, Guy (16 October 1998). "Another fight for Higgins: this time it's for his life". London: The Independent. Archived frae the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  41. ↑ a b https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-sad-lonely-demise-of-the-peoples-champion-28548785.html
  42. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852042.stm
  43. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/01/alex-higgins-admitted-to-hospital
  44. ↑ a b "Alex Higgins 'thought about suicide'". The Belfast Telegraph. 26 Apryle 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  45. ↑ Briggs, Simon (24 Julie 2010). "Snooker mourns as Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies aged 61". London: The Daily Telegraph. Archived frae the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 24 Julie 2010.
  46. ↑ "Cancer-stricken snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins fighting for life after contracting pneumonia". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 Januar 2011.
  47. ↑ Tinney, Aaron. "Video: Last footage of Alex Higgins shows cupboards stacked with food... but he couldn't eat a bite". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2 Januar 2011.
  48. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/aug/02/alex-higgins-funeral-snooker-belfast
  49. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-10841145
  50. ↑ "Blowing up a storm". BBC Sport. 17 Apryle 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
  51. ↑ Thorne, Willie (2004). Double or Quits: The Willie Thorne Story. Liverpool. pp. 140–41.
  52. ↑ Everton, Clive (25 Julie 2010). "Alex Higgins, snooker's anti-hero, dies aged 61". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2 Januar 2011.
  53. ↑ "Snooker Warld Records (16 Red Ball Clearances)". WWW Snooker. Archived frae the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  54. ↑ http://www.trophyroom.co.uk/alexhigginstrophy.html
  55. ↑ http://www.worldsnooker.com/northern-ireland-open-trophy-to-be-named-after-alex-higgins/
  56. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37487430
  57. ↑ "The Rack Pack: How Britain fell in love with snooker". www.telegraph.co.uk. 17 Januar 2016.
  58. ↑ "rankin History". Snooker.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  59. ↑ Chris, Turner. "Other Non-ranking and Invition Events: First held before 1980". Chris Turners Snooker Archive. Archived frae the original on 16 Februar 2012. Retrieved 30 Juin 2013.
  60. ↑ a b c "Pro Snooker Blog Profile". Retrieved 7 August 2009.
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  62. ↑ Chris, Turner. "Pontins Open, Pontins Professional, Pontins Warld Pro-Am Series". Chris Turners Snooker Archive. Archived frae the original on 28 Februar 2012. Retrieved 30 Juin 2013.
  63. ↑ "Global Snooker Profile". Global Snooker. Archived frae the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009. Archived 2009-06-16 at the Wayback Machine

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