Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Open snooker trophy to be named after Alex Higgins

The winner of the revived Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament will receive a trophy named after two-time world champion Alex Higgins
The winner of the revived Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament will receive a trophy named after two-time world champion Alex Higgins

THE trophy for the revived Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament is to be named after two-time world champion Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins.

The tournament is to be held from November 14 to 20 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast.

The winner will receive a trophy named after the legendary snooker player, who died aged 61 in 2010.

The Northern Ireland Open is one of a series of four events forming part of a new Home Nations competition.

A total of 128 players including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby are set to feature at the Belfast tournament.

The winner will scoop a £70,000 first prize along with the Alex Higgins trophy.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: "Alex was an extraordinary talent and we are delighted to remember him in this way. It is a fitting tribute to one of snooker’s all-time greats."

World Snooker has also announced that the English Open trophy is to be named after Steve Davis.

Anyone who manages to complete a clean sweep of all four tournaments will win a bonus prize of £1 million.