One of the most prominent and famous representatives of snooker is John Higgins. The biography of the player began in the small town of Wisho, where he was born on May 18, 1975. The Scot received an international license and became a professional player in 1992.
Together with another, no less famous Briton Ronnie O'Sullivan, he entered the world elite of the variety of billiard games - snooker. The first triumph happened in 1994, when he defeated Dave Harold in the final. From that moment on, his career began to develop rapidly.
The career of the Scottish "wizard"
The first two seasons in his career, John spent quite modestly. He made a name for himself in the Grand Pri tournament, where he sensationally won first place. The famous player did not stop there and already in the next season won two titles British Open and International Open. These achievements allowed the Scotsman to take 11th place in the ranking of world snooker players.
In the 1995-1996 season, John Higgins continued to demonstrate an outstanding game. His trophy collection has replenished with several more titles: German Open, International Open. He became a quarter finalist of the world tournament and confidently located on the second line of the rating.
The 1997/98 season was the most successful in the Scottish career. Higgins became the finalist of 8 ranking tournaments. Now there was only the world championship, where he was not famous for great successes. A successful combination of circumstances could lead the player to a cherished dream. To do this, Stephen Hendry had to lose in the first round of the competition, and John, to receive the coveted trophy. As a result, he coped with this task and took the first line in the ranking.
High rise and fast fall
In the 1998/99 season, John Higgins was unable to defend his league title. However, the player remained on the first line, thanks to a win in several major competitions: The Masters, China International, UK Snooker Championship.
The next season was no less successful in the career of the master. In one of the tournaments, he scored the most points per game. For the first time, a maximum break of 147 points was recorded at the Nations Cup, and then at the Irish Masters competition. Higgins won several more trophy prizes at the Welsh Open and Grand Prix.
In the 2000/01 season, John began to decline. At first, everything went well, and he defeated the eminent Mark Williams in the final of the British Championship. However, in the Grand Prix, he stopped participating due to the wedding. In the Nations Cup competition, he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan and dropped to third place in the world ranking.
Despite the weak level of the game in the next two seasons, John Higgins managed to stay in the top five of the best snooker players.
High level of skill - the first line in the ranking
In 2005/06, the Scot regained his good form. At the Grand Prix tournament, he won a landslide victory over his eternal rival Ronnie O'Sullivan. At the same time, John set several records: 4 hundred series and 494 points scored.
The British championship was less successful for Higgins. He lost in the eighth finals to his opponent Ken Doherty, but won the Wembley Tournament. In the Malta Cup competition, the player reaches the final but is defeated.
At the Welsh Open tournament, an experienced master loses at the 1/8 final stage. The China Open match ends for the Scotsman with a final defeat from Mark Williams. He was one of the favorites in the world championship in 2006. However, to the general surprise of many experts, lost in the first round of the competition to Mark Selby. Despite this fact, snooker player John Higgins managed to return the first line of the rating.
Unstable game, fans disappointment
Fans of the Scottish "wizard" expected him to be as successful performances as a season earlier. However, John did not please them, but only disappointed. He took part in the Northern Ireland Trophy competition, where he lost to the Chinese player in the 1/8 final stage. After that, he failed to defend his champion title in the Grand Prix competition.
At the British Championship Higgins demonstrated the upper class and reached the stage of the semi-finals. However, lost to the future winner Peter Ebdon. Then the experienced master began to decline. He failed in the first round of the Welsh Open and Malta Cup competitions. At the China Open tournament, the Scot reached the quarter finals, where he lost to his opponent and close ally Graham Dott.
At a prestigious competition in Sheffield, John Higgins was not a favorite. Nevertheless, he managed to rehabilitate himself in front of the fans and win another trophy.
World fame is the first major success
In 1998, the Scot took part in the world championship. For the first time in his career, he reached the finals and snatched victory from a young and promising Mark Selby. The Englishman qualified and showed a high class game. However, his opponent showed real skill and the will to win. As a result, the “wizard” celebrated success.
He became the first champion in 1998 when he was only 23 years old, ahead of two brilliant players in this indicator, Williams and O'Salivanna. After 9 years, he won the second trophy of the world championship.
In 2007, John Higgins, holder of the honorary title "Member of the Order of the British Empire, " admitted in an interview that this event became one of the most important in his life, after the birth of a child.
The following season was no less successful for an experienced player. He won the Grand Prix competition and received his third championship title. In the ranking of snooker players, he took 4th place, and a year later became his leader.
Accusation of bribery
In April 2010, a Scottish player and his manager attended a business meeting. One influential businessman suggested Higgins and Mooney hold a series of snooker competitions on a contractual basis.
At that time, a 3-time world title holder decided to agree to a tempting offer and holding a contractual game. As a result, John had to concede in several frames. The total amount of the bribe was about $ 400, 000.
Following an internal investigation, Higgins was barred from participating in snooker competitions. Nevertheless, an experienced Scot decided to refute the allegations, saying that in his entire professional career, he had never intentionally missed.
According to the decision of an independent tribunal, the player was fined and banned for six months, and his manager was suspended for life from snooker.
Return to the game
Returning after the suspension, John won several tournaments. Two of them are the most prestigious: the championship of Great Britain and world championship. The Scot continued to demonstrate a high level of snooker. John Higgins, whose biography is a direct proof of his talent, “managed” to win also in ETPC-5. ETPC-6 was not so successful for him. He reached the finals, but lost to future champion Michael Holt.
John held the British championship at a high level and met in the finals with Mark Williams. During the meeting, the player was inferior with a score of 2: 7 and 5: 9. However, in a difficult match, Higgins managed to win. This title was the third in his career.
At the February Welsh Open tournament, he reached the finals and received another trophy, beating Stephen Maguire with a total score of 9: 6. The following month, the Scot also prevailed in the Hainan Classic competition.
Life outside of snooker
Even four-time world champion John Higgins has the right to privacy. In 2000, he entered into an official marriage with his beloved girlfriend Denise. Over the years, they had three children: the girl Claudia, the boys Oliver and Pierce. In addition, he always tries to attend football matches of his favorite Celtic team.
In 2006, after losing the final of the Malta Cup, John was dropped off the plane due to heavy alcohol intoxication. Nevertheless, in preparation for the next tournament and world fame in Crucible, the player managed to abandon the use of alcohol.
Higgins suffered a great tragedy in 2011. His father passed away from cancer. He almost always accompanied his son to all world tournaments.
