World Open snooker 2025 LIVE RESULTS: John Higgins BEATS Joe O’Connor to win World Open snooker in China
JOHN Higgins WINS the World Open in Yushan after beating Joe O'Connor in the final.
John Higgins is taking home the £175k jackpot after beating Joe O'Connor 10-6.
Higgins fought back to reach the final after trailing 3-1 to defeat Zak Surety 6-5.
While O'Connor held off Ali Carter to book his place in the final, after earlier knocking out defending champion Judd Trump in the last-32.
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Higgins reaction
It’s a brilliant feeling. It’s really satisfying given the last few years.
“I’m drained. The build up of the last few days have built up a lot of nervous energy. But I played well.
“It’s a proud moment for me, a very proud moment for me.
“It’s massive. Absolutely massive for me when you think I’m 49 and people might be thinking I might never get back to winning again.
“When he made a great clearance to go 9-6 I was thinking ‘don’t give me another Neil Robertson from the Tour Championship’ and it’s understandable that going through your mind.
“Deep down I always thought I was good enough to win another tournament, but words are cheap really.
“I’m so proud to have won another big event.”
Higgins stats
A few takeaways from Higgins' remarkable victory.
It's his first title in China since 2012, for one.
He's the second oldest ranking title winner of all-time.
And, it's a 32nd ranking title of his career.
Four years!
He's waited four years to lift a ranking title.
Finally, John Higgins laid his hands on the World Open in Yushan.
Amazing scenes.
Higgins' struggles
Before winning in China, John Higgins spoke of his struggles in snooker.
He said: "This is a sport that has given me so much over the years.
“But it begins to take your soul bit by bit.
“This has been a good sport for me but as you fall down the rankings it can begin to take that bit of goodness.
“It is a brutal sport sometimes.
“That was a good win. Mark has always been really tough and given me some tough battles.
“It is always a good game when I play him and that was another one.”
World Open champs
Here's the list of champs that Higgins joins with his win over O'Connor...
- 2025 - John Higgins
- 2024 - Judd Trump
- 2019 - Judd Trump
- 2018 - Mark Williams
- 2017 - Ding Junhui
- 2016 - Ali Carter
- 2014 - Shaun Murphy
- 2013 - Mark Allen
- 2012 - Mark Allen
- 2010 - Neil Robertson
Higgins looking ahead
As well as heaping praise on O'Connor, Higgins was coy on his own form heading into the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next week.
I don't know how, obviously, Hong Kong is going to go. It's a brand new tournament, a massive tournament as well.
But I don't know how I'm going to be because I'm not used to winning and then going on to the next event. So I don't know what's going to happen. But listen, I'm just going to enjoy this tonight.
Higgins praises O'Connor
John Higgins was quick to laud his opponent for his efforts in Yushan over the past week.
Despite not performing to his best in today's final, Higgins is certain O'Connor will be back at the top again soon.
He said: "Joe never played his best today, he's played unbelievable all week.
"He just didn't bring the same game that he had against Shaun [Murphy] and Judd [Trump] and the other boys.
"The first frame was massive today, he missed a couple of black, and if he gets them he goes one frame in front and take a bit of confidence.
"It put him on the back foot a little bit and I managed to keep him under pressure with my safety all day.
"But he will be back, he's just a great, great player".
Credit: Getty Ronnie withdraws
There's huge news from elsewhere in snooker today, as Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the World Grand Prix - citing health reasons.
The Rocket will miss out on a potential £300,000 payday as he can not qualify for the Players Championship and Tour Championship.
Each tournament could have been worth £150k in winnings each to O'Sullivan.
However, due to his inactivity in 2025, the seven-time world snooker champion has not qualified.
His withdrawal from the World Grand Prix adds to the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters, Welsh Open, World Open that he missed.
What's up next?
The top players are always looking forward to what's next.
Here's how the snooker calendar looks for March and April, with the World Championship on the horizon.
- World Grand Prix, March 4-9
- Players Championship, March 17-23
- Tour Championship, March 31 - April 6
- World Championship, April 19 - May 5
Higgins' 32 Ranking Title wins
Higgins showed that he's still the same player he was when he was dominating the sport in his hay-day with his victory in Yushan.
Here's a look at the phenomenal list of 32 Ranking Titles the Scot has won.
- 2024/25: World Open
- 2020/21: Players Championship
- 2017/18: Indian Open, Welsh Open
- 2015/16: Australian Goldfields Open, International Championship
- 2014/15: Welsh Open
- 2012/13: Shanghai Masters
- 2010/11: UK Championship, Welsh Open, World Championship
- 2009/10: Welsh Open
- 2008/09: Grand Prix, World Championship
- 2006/07: World Championship
- 2005/06: Grand Prix
- 2004/05: British Open
- 2001/02: British Open
- 2000/01: UK Championship
- 1999/00: Grand Prix, China International, Welsh Open
- 1998/99: UK Championship
- 1997/98: German Open, British Open, World Championship
- 1996/97: European Open
- 1995/96: German Open, International Open
- 1994/95: Grand Prix, International Open, British Open
More from Higgins
Higgins admitted that he was worried about letting the final slip when Joe O'Connor pulled it back to 9-6.
In fact, the four-time world champion was given flashbacks of his choke against Neil Robertson in the 2022 Tour Championship final - a match which he lost 10-9 after leading 9-4.
When he [O'Connor] made a great clearance to go 9-6 I was thinking ‘don’t give me another Neil Robertson from the Tour Championship’ and it’s understandable that going through your mind.
Deep down I always thought I was good enough to win another tournament, but words are cheap really.
I’m so proud to have won another big event.
John HigginsHiggins reacts
John Higgins has spoken on the "brilliant" moment that he won a 32nd career title in Yushan today.
It’s a brilliant feeling. It’s really satisfying given the last few years.
I’m drained. The build up of the last few days have built up a lot of nervous energy. But I played well.
It’s a proud moment for me, a very proud moment for me.
It’s massive. Absolutely massive for me when you think I’m 49 and people might be thinking I might never get back to winning again.
John HigginsA frame-by-frame breakdown
Here's a look at how every frame panned out during Higgins' dominant win.
World ranking movement
Both John Higgins and Joe O'Connor have moved up the world rankings as a result of their efforts in China.
Higgins has jumped up from 13th to 8th in the Johnstone's Pain World Rankings after making £175,000.
Whole O'Connor's career best £75,000 payday means he has moved from 39th all the way up to 31st.
Money men
John Higgins is over the moon to have brought his 1,462-day drought to an end, but he'll also be pretty pleased with his payday too.
The Scot has pocketed a whopping £175,000.
It's not a bad day for Joe O'Connor either, despite tastign defeat and being denied a first ranking title.
He's earned himself a hefty £75,000 to lift his spirits.
Credit: TNT SPorts
All smiles from the champ
John Higgins can't help but grin from ear to ear as he is presented with his trophy, brining an end to his four-year wait for a title.
He really is a fan favourite.
Credit: TNT SPORTS 
Credit: TNT SPORTS Higgins route to victory
Here's how John Higgins returned to the top with a superb run of victories in China.
- R1: 5-1 vs Mark Davis
- R2: 5-3 vs Robbie Williams
- L16: 5-4 vs Yuelong Zhou
- QF: 5-0 vs Junxu Pang
- SF: 6-5 vs Zak Surety
- F: 10-6 vs Joe O'Connor
Age is just a number
John Higgins is officially the second oldest ranking title winner of ALL-TIME.
At 49 years old, Higgins only trails behind Ray Reardon who won the Professional Players Tournament in 1982 aged 50.
Higgins has now won an impressive 32 ranking titles, with this his first win on the baize since 2021.
A special moment for The Wizard of Wishaw.
Match stats
Here's a look at the stats from that match as Higgins becomes World Open champion at 49.
JOHN HIGGINS WINS!
John Higgins tastes victory for the first time since 2021!
A one-visit break of 100 brings the curtain down on the World Open and hands Higgins the trophy.
- Higgins 10-5 O’Connor
Credit: Getty Mistake? What mistake?
You've heard of the curse of the commentator, what about the curse of the live blogger?
Joe O'Connor has defied the odds and overcome his own mistake to win the frame with some of his best snooker of the day and a break of 67.
Applause rippled around the arena in Yushan when he bounced a tricky one off the cushion to win his second frame on the bounce.
It would still take something really, really special for him to win this, but he's doing everything in his power to try.
- Higgins 9-6 O’Connor
Costly mistake?
With the scores at 8-14 to Higgins in this 15th frame, O'Connor opens up the table with a frustrating miscue.
He looked like he could have piled more pressure on Higgins with consecutive frame wins, but now Higgins has the table at his mercy.
This visit could spell the end...
Credit: Getty He couldn't could he?
Joe O'Connor isn't going to let this be a procession, he wants to fight.
He's managed to claw back another frame to put himself four behind Higgins after a 71-25 win.
You'd certainly still be sticking your money on Higgins to win this thing, but O'Connor is going to try and turn the screw as much as possible for the meantime.
- Higgins 9-5 O’Connor
One frame away
John Higgins is now just one frame from getting his hands on the trophy.
He didn't even give O'Connor a chance as he puts up an unanswered break of 94 to win his ninth frame.
We could now just be minutes away from finding a winner in Yushan.
- Higgins 9-4 O’Connor
We are back underway!
So here we go then, the players are back at the table and we are about to find ourselves a winner.
Higgins starts us off.