Home Nations £1m tournament

Home favourite Mark Allen is the Northern Ireland Open champion after a 9-8 victory over John Higgins in a top quality final.
He came back from 8-6 down to seal glory and pick up The Alex Higgins Trophy.

Managed to catch the last frame and a bit; pleased for him, I think he knows he's his own worst enemy when he's got the ability to win any tournament; up there with the King-Hawkins final for me.

Thought about John Higgins' Scottish Open final too when he got battered by Marco Fu A good end to a good week, though.

The English Open from Milton Keynes starts on 1st November.

O'Sullivan, Selby, Trump, Higgins and Bingham all through on day one

Stephen Hendry whitewashed by Chris Wakelin on day 2.
No major shocks to speak of with the exception of Stuart Bingham being beaten by Fergal O'Brien.

I saw Ronnie at the end of the afternoon bit basically trashing Hendry, so that result just compounds it.

Kyren Wilson mouthed off too, so Ronnie mouthed back.

Messrs O'Sullivan, Trump, Ding, Murphy, Wilson and Robertson all through on day 3.

Ronnie amusingly had to win a decider against Anthony Hamilton this afternoon, and seemed to be quite, er, exuberant, in his post-match chat; his tip was playing him up, that explained why he finished with a century...

Ronnie is always moaning about his cue or tip .

Bad workman blaming tools

Mark King and Luca Brecel the more curious quarter-finalists.