Gary Wilson retained the BetVictor Scottish Open title with a 9-5 win over Thai star Noppon Saengkham at Meadowbank and he is only the third player ever to retain his maiden ranking title. He did it in style.
The man nicknamed The Tyneside Terror has endured an indifferent season, but he came good again in Scotland’s capital.
Wilson, who beat Joe O’Connor from Leicester 9-2 to win the title 12 months ago, flew out of the blocks after staring down the barrel in his semi-final, requiring three snookers in the deciding frame with Zhou Yuelong to win 6-5 on a re-spotted black.
Saengkham, who was appearing in his first ranking event final, and who beat Scotland’s top hope, John Higgings, in the final four, saw Wilson open with breaks of 90, 62 and 66 to take the first three frames.
His rival made it 3-1 before a break but Wilson recorded runs of 79, 105 and 78 to lead 6-1 in the best of 17 clash but Saengkham, rated No 26 in the world, pulled one back on the black to trail 6-2 before the evening session.
Wilson, however, needed three frames to close out the game and the Wallsend-based cueman, ranked No 20 in the world, kept his cool to complete the job and take the Stephen Hendry Trophy and pocket £80,000.
PICTURE: Gary Wilson celebrates after his win on Sunday in the 2023 Scottish Open
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