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Alexander HigginsBetter known as Alex Higgins, is a former Northern Irish professional snooker player.
Date of Birth: 18.03.1949
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
- Alex Higgins: "The Hurricane" of Snooker
- Success and Controversies
- The Masters and Later Career
- Personality and Playing Style
- Legacy and Retirement
- Career Achievements
- - World Cup:Champion (with Ireland, 1985-87)
Alex Higgins: "The Hurricane" of Snooker
Early Life and CareerBorn in Belfast in 1949, Alex Higgins began playing snooker at age 11 at the Jampot club. By 1965, he had made a maximum break, and three years later, he won the All-Ireland and Northern Ireland Amateur Championships. Higgins turned professional in 1971 and sensationally won the World Championship on his first attempt in 1972 at age 23. He remained the youngest champion until Stephen Hendry's victory at age 21.
Success and Controversies
Higgins reached the World Championship final again in 1976, but Ray Reardon proved too strong, defeating him 17-26. Similar fates befell him in 1980 against Cliff Thorburn (who he briefly led 9-5) and 1982 against Reardon. However, 1982 marked his triumphant return to the World Championship. Not only did Higgins defeat Reardon but he also compiled a tournament record 135-point break in the final frame, a victory as much emotional as professional. Another highlight was his miraculous escape against Jimmy White in the semi-final. Trailing 14-15 with a 0-59 deficit, Higgins played a masterclass of shotmaking under extreme pressure, clearing the table for a 69-point finish. This break became a television staple, epitomizing Higgins's phenomenal shot-building. Despite missing the World No. 1 ranking due to penalty point deductions, 1982 was undoubtedly known as the "Year of the Hurricane".
The Masters and Later Career
Higgins won the prestigious Masters tournament twice, in 1978 and 1981. He also triumphed at the UK Championship in 1983. Interestingly, in that match, he trailed Steve Davis 0-7 but fought back with a 142-point break to win 16-15. In 1989, he finally captured his home tournament, the Irish Masters. Higgins officially retired in 1997 but returned for an exhibition tournament in 2007, only to be defeated 5-0 by Fergal O'Brien. That same year, he published his autobiography, "Hurricane: My Story".
Personality and Playing Style
Higgins was known for his volatile temperament, which led to frequent altercations both on and off the table. One notorious incident occurred in 1986 at the UK Championship when he headbutted a tournament official, resulting in a one-year suspension. Steve Davis described Higgins as "the greatest natural genius ever to play the game" in a 2002 documentary by Clive Everton. Meanwhile, Willie Thorne wrote in his autobiography that Higgins may not have been the greatest player, but his natural ability "revolutionized the sport and raised the level of snooker worldwide in the 1970s and early 80s." Despite his immense talent, Higgins often failed to live up to his potential in the big matches during his peak in the 1970s and 80s. Everton suggested that the consistent performances of Davis and Reardon, each of whom dominated a decade, made it difficult for the "Hurricane" to prevail. Nevertheless, his flamboyant snooker undoubtedly contributed to the game's popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Legacy and Retirement
Higgins retired from snooker and battled throat cancer, a consequence of his heavy smoking and drinking habits. He made brief comebacks in 2005 and 2006 at the Irish Professional Championships, but both ended in first-round defeats. In 2007, he was involved in an assault on a referee at a charity match in northeast England. Despite his controversies, Alex Higgins remains one of the most popular snooker players. His achievements in the game are undeniable, ranking alongside the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry.
Career Achievements
- World Championship:Champion (1972, 1982); Finalist (1976, 1980)- UK Championship:Champion (1983)
- Benson & Hedges Masters:Champion (1978, 1981)
- Canadian Open:Champion (1975, 1977)
- Irish Masters:Champion (1989)
- Irish Professional Snooker Championships:Champion (1972, 1978-79, 1983, 1989)
