Mark Selby Reveals True Class with Tribute to John Higgins as Scots Snooker Legend Reaches Class of ’92 Milestone

John Higgins produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of his illustrious career to claim his 33rd ranking title at the Tour Championship, defeating Mark Selby 10-8 in a thrilling final. The Scottish snooker legend looked in complete control early on, surging to a dominant 5-1 lead. However, as the evening session unfolded, Selby turned the tide, compiling a series of clinical centuries to seize the momentum and take an 8-5 lead.

Many watching assumed the tide had permanently shifted, but Higgins, ever the fighter, showed why he remains one of the sport’s great warriors. With his back against the wall, he dug deep, pulling off five straight frames in a gritty and determined fashion. The victory not only secured his place back among the world’s top three ahead of the upcoming World Championship at the Crucible, but it also marked the 100th ranking title shared by the iconic Class of ’92 — Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Mark Williams — who have collectively shaped the last three decades of professional snooker.

After the match, Selby praised Higgins’ resilience and killer instinct, admitting: “At 8-5, I thought I was in control. I missed a pink at 8-7, and from there, John punished every little mistake. He was like a warrior out there.”

An emotional Higgins described the win as the best of his career. “When it was 5-1, I just wanted to get one more frame before the break,” he said. “But when Mark started firing in centuries, I thought, ‘Here he comes again.’ I tried to stay positive, but it’s tough. You feel like you’re smashing your head against a wall. My game was starting to dip, but somehow, I found something.”

In what many are calling a vintage Higgins performance, the 49-year-old showed that even after all these years, the fire still burns brightly — and the Wizard still has his magic.