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Hawkins clinches Welsh Open crown to end silverware drought

Jonathan Davies in Welsh Open

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Barry Hawkins v Jack Lisowski live stream | Welsh Open 2026 Final preview

Hawkins ended his silverware drought in Llandudno (Credit: WST)

Barry Hawkins claimed his first ranking title in two-and-a-half years, after capturing the Welsh Open title with a 9-5 win over Jack Lisowski.

The Hawk withstood his opponent’s fightback from 7-1 down to trail 8-5 to land the fifth ranking silverware of his career on Sunday, and first since triumphing at the 2023 European Masters.

Hawkins, who had contemplated withdrawing from the event due to a back problem, hit two centuries and a further four breaks over 65 on his way to lifting the Ray Reardon trophy at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, where he also pocketed a cheque for ยฃ100,000.

The world number 14 also made it third time lucky in a Home Nations final, having been runner-up to John Higgins in this event eight years ago, as well as losing the 2016 Northern Ireland Open showpiece.

“It means the world, I came close last season to a couple of big titles [at the UK Championship and German Masters],” he said.

“I feel I deserved this one because I have been knocking on the door for a while. I am so relieved because playing Jack is scary, he pots balls from everywhere and, when he gets going, he’s a hard man to stop.

“At 7-1, it’s for you to lose, things start going through your head like it could be the biggest collapse of all time. People were getting excited, but I know it’s never over until it’s over.

“I was feeling it out there. He came out all guns blazing tonight, I knew that might happen and I had to stay calm.

“I want to thank the crowd here, they have supported us so well all week, and that brings the best out of the top players.”

Hawkins came flying out of the blocks with a break of 105, before producing a 67 counter clearance in frame three, after Lisowski broke down on 47 when missing the black while splitting the pack.

A 102 put the Hawk 3-1 up at the mid-session interval. He then took a close fifth frame on the pink after a safety error by his opponent, while further runs of 76 and 88 helped him establish a commanding 7-1 lead at the conclusion of the afternoon.

Lisowski appeared to be feeling the strain from the aftermath of his dramatic semi-final victory over John Higgins the previous evening, which saw him land this season’s BetVictor bonus of ยฃ150,000.

Nevertheless, the Northern Ireland Open champion made a purposeful start to the evening session, with back-to-back centuries of 112 and 102 reducing his arrears to 7-3.

Jackpot then won a lengthy 11th frame, but a fluked red paved the way for a break of 68 from Hawkins in the next, which moved him to the brink of victory.

Lisowski kept his eighth ranking final alive with a 53, but runs of 32 and 33 in the following frame saw the Hawk swoop back into the winners’ enclosure.

“I was gone in the first session, I was very poor,” Lisowski added. “I was trying my best, but maybe there was a bit of a hangover from last night because I went through a lot.

“Barry was by far the better player today. He’s a great guy and I’m happy for him.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. The semi-final was like a final for me, I was so relieved to win and the way I won, to beat John. But that takes nothing away from Barry today, there are no excuses and I gave it my best.”