With victories in the final round of qualifying for the Welsh Open, John Parrott, Rod Lawler and Andrew Higginson have all qualified for the event.

Parrott won 5-4 over Mike Dunn who committed a huge error in the final frame and Rod Lawler won 5-2 over James Wattana.

Popular with the crowd, six-time World Championship finalist Jimmy White lost 5-2 to last years Welsh Open runner up, Andrew Higginson.

Higginson was ahead 4-0 till White made a little rally to make it close,

Higginson said, “That’s a massive win. A lot of people think Jimmy’s no good anymore, but that’s not true. There was added pressure on me to win because I was the favorite and he was the underdog.”

“You still get a buzz from watching Jimmy walking around the table – he still shows moments of brilliance,” added Higginson. “I’m just so glad to be going back to Newport. I’ve got so many fond memories of reaching the final season, I enjoy playing in the big arenas and in front of the TV cameras.”

Mike Dunn fluked the final black ball off three cushions allowing John Parrott to edge him out in the final frame. Parrot admitted afterwards that, “I was so lucky in that last frame, but I’m just glad to have qualified.”


- 2008-01-29