John Higgins Hails Tour Championship Title as Best Ever, With Family by His Side

John Higgins claimed his second ranking event victory of the season, defeating the in-form Mark Selby 10-8 in a gripping, almost-midnight marathon final at the 2025 Tour Championship. 

The win, which earned Higgins £150,000, was a repeat of the 2024 British Open final, where Selby had triumphed 10-5 in Cheltenham, but this time, Higgins emerged victorious.

The early stages of the final saw Higgins in complete control. With two clinical century breaks, he surged to a commanding 5-1 lead. 

However, Selby wasn’t one to back down. The "Jester from Leicester" began to shift gears, and Higgins, despite his early dominance, began to lose his rhythm. From 5-1 up, Higgins watched helplessly as Selby reeled off seven consecutive frames to take an 8-5 advantage.

It seemed like Higgins was on the brink of defeat, but he found an extra gear of his own. The turning point came in the 16th frame when Selby committed three fouls, handing Higgins a crucial frame. Energised, Higgins won the next three frames in a row, bringing the match level at 8-8.

The comeback continued, and from being 5-1 up to 8-5 down, Higgins completed a remarkable rally, winning the final two frames to secure a 10-8 victory, claiming the Tour Championship for the first time in his career.

The match itself was a spectacle, with both players contributing to a record-tying number of centuries in a best-of-19, with four centuries apiece. Regardless of the outcome, it was hailed as one of the best finals ever seen in the sport.

Higgins Reflects on His "Best Ever Win"

In an emotional post-match interview with Rob Walker for ITV, Higgins described his victory as the best of his career, even surpassing his four World Championship titles. This claim surprised many, given his illustrious career, but Higgins explained why this win meant so much to him.

“When you’re playing an absolute monster player [Mark Selby] after being 5-1 up and then frozen out at 8-5. You don’t come back and win five in a row against Mark, but somehow, I managed to do it. It was incredible,” Higgins told SportsBoom.com.

Additionally, when asked what was going through his mind during the comeback, Higgins shared the mental challenges he faced. 

"Just try to stay as positive as you can, but it's incredibly difficult because when you're just not getting any change out and you're thinking, you're just hitting a brick wall. I've done it so many times against him over the years where he just plays incredible stuff. He's just an incredible champion. I say, my best ever win."

A Remarkable Season Turnaround

This victory wasn’t just a testament to Higgins’ resilience in the final, but also to his ability to turn around a challenging season. After falling out of the top 16 for the first time in 30 years during the 2024 English Open, Higgins’ win lifts him back up to world rank three, positioning him as one of the favourites for the upcoming World Championship.

“When I won last month in China [World Open], that gave me a little bit more belief that when I get in that winning position again, I can finally get over the line,” Higgins explained. 

“I’ve been quite open in the last three or four years, I was breaking down all the time and failing to get over the line. It was becoming a mental block, and it was a tough mental block to overcome. It’s as if that’s all drained away now and I can just look forward to playing and get back playing well again.”

A Family Victory

This Tour Championship victory was especially sweet for Higgins on a personal level, as his wife, Denise, and their three children were in attendance to witness his triumph. It was the first time since 2021 that they had been at one of his ranking wins, as they were unable to travel to Yushan for his World Open victory earlier that year.

“No, no, she travelled to Hong Kong with me just after,” Higgins said when asked if his family had been with him at the World Open. 

“It’s just great, cause I’ve won titles, but they were a lot younger so they’re grown up now. They’re obviously just incredibly proud, and I’m so proud of them. It’s a great, great moment for us.”

Higgins Continues to Live in the Present

Despite his success, Higgins remains as humble as ever, frequently crediting his "Class of '92" peers, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams, for being more talented. But with his latest triumph, he is undoubtedly the man on top right now.

When asked if he now puts himself above his legendary contemporaries, Higgins maintained his modesty. 

“I mean, well Mark [Williams] won it last year, didn’t he. He’s going through some problems, and we’re hoping it gets better,” Higgins said. 

“With Ronnie we just hope he turns up for the World Championship.”

“I’ve just gotta really enjoy this moment ‘cause they don’t come along too often now when you get to my age. So, you’ve gotta really enjoy them.”

The Road to Hendry’s Record

With 33 ranking titles to his name, Higgins is just three wins away from tying Stephen Hendry’s record of 36 ranking titles. It’s a feat that seemed unimaginable only a few years ago, but now, with his career firmly back on track, he has a legitimate chance to make history.

“If that happens, it happens,” Higgins said, displaying his characteristic lack of ego when asked about the prospect of surpassing Hendry.

Despite the record, Higgins insists it’s not something he thinks about regularly. 

"No, no, no. I’m just lucky that I’ve won a couple of tournaments this year. It’s been a while, so I’m delighted."

A Historic Win for a Modest Champion

John Higgins’ victory at the 2025 Tour Championship was more than just a remarkable comeback—it was a triumph of mental fortitude, resilience, and a reminder that the "Wizard of Wishaw" is still very much a force to be reckoned with in the world of snooker. 

With his family by his side, his career back on track, and a major record within reach, Higgins continues to defy expectations and write new chapters in his storied career.