LLANDUDNO, Wales — In a display of clinical, composed snooker, Barry Hawkins finally ended his long wait for a Welsh Open crown, defeating the talented but ultimately out-gunned Jack Lisowski 9-5 in a compelling final at Venue Cymru. The victory marks Hawkins' first Welsh Open title and adds a prestigious fourth ranking trophy to his collection, a just reward for one of the sport's most consistent performers over the past decade.
The 44-year-old from Kent, known affectionately as 'The Hawk', seized control of the contest with a dominant afternoon session, establishing a commanding 7-1 lead that Lisowski could never quite overhaul. While the evening saw a spirited fightback from 'Jackpot', Hawkins' early work proved decisive, allowing him to weather the storm and cross the finish line with a mixture of steely resolve and trademark break-building precision.
A Session of Supremacy
The foundation for Hawkins' triumph was laid in a near-flawless first session. Lisowski, appearing in his eighth ranking final still seeking a maiden title, began brightly with a break of 65, but Hawkins coolly responded with a 67 clearance to steal the frame. This set the tone for what was to come. Hawkins, appearing focused and unflappable, proceeded to reel off the next six frames in a row, compiling a series of telling contributions that left Lisowski shell-shocked in his chair.
The key moments of Hawkins' afternoon masterclass included:
• A superb break of 131 in the third frame, his first century of the final, announcing his intent.
• A crucial 59 clearance to win a tight fourth frame and extend his lead to 3-1 at the mid-session interval.
• Further runs of 76, 90, and 54 as he systematically dismantled Lisowski's confidence, capitalizing on every error.
• A final frame 66 to complete the session, taking a daunting 7-1 advantage into the evening.
Reflecting on that pivotal session, Hawkins acknowledged its importance: "The first session was massive. To come out 7-1 ahead against a player of Jack's quality, you've got to be happy with that. I felt really good, scored heavily, and took my chances. It gave me a cushion I knew I would need because Jack is never beaten, he's so dangerous and can reel off frames in no time."
Lisowski's Valiant Evening Fightback
True to Hawkins' prediction, the evening session brought a transformed Jack Lisowski. Freed from the pressure of the occasion and with nothing to lose, he began to showcase the breathtaking, attacking snooker that has made him a fan favourite. He took the first two frames of the night with breaks of 70 and 129, reducing the deficit to 7-3 and igniting hopes of a historic comeback. The crowd, firmly behind the underdog, roared its approval.
Hawkins momentarily halted the charge by taking the eleventh frame, but Lisowski refused to yield. He responded with a magnificent 140 total clearance—the highest break of the tournament—and then a gritty 62 in the next to pull back to 8-5, applying genuine pressure for the first time since the opening frame. The momentum had visibly shifted, and questions began to surface about Hawkins' ability to close out the match.
Lisowski later expressed his frustration at his slow start but pride in his response: "I gave myself too much to do. Barry was unbelievable this afternoon, he just outplayed me completely. I'm proud of how I came back tonight and made a game of it, showed what I can do, but you can't give someone of Barry's class that kind of head start. He was too strong."
The Hawk Seals the Deal
With the tension palpable and the possibility of a dramatic twist still alive, Hawkins demonstrated the champion's mentality that has defined his career. In the fourteenth frame, with Lisowski in first and looking likely to close further, a missed red to the centre pocket presented a final opportunity. Hawkins, with ice in his veins, stepped in and meticulously constructed a match-winning break of 67, sealing a long-awaited and emotionally charged victory.
As the final ball dropped, Hawkins let out a roar of relief and triumph, embracing Lisowski before raising his arms to the appreciative Welsh crowd. The win was a testament to his resilience, not just in this final, but throughout a career where he has often been the nearly-man, most notably as runner-up in the 2013 World Championship. This victory felt like a full-circle moment, a validation of his enduring quality.
An emotional Hawkins dedicated the win to his family and team during the trophy presentation: "It means everything. I've been coming to Wales for years and I've always loved this tournament. To finally get my hands on this trophy, after a few finals that got away from me elsewhere, is incredibly special. Jack is a brilliant player and an even better guy, he'll win one soon, but tonight I'm just over the moon."
A Landmark Victory in Context
The 2024 Welsh Open title represents a significant milestone for Barry Hawkins. It breaks a ranking title drought dating back to the 2017 World Grand Prix and propels him back into the world's top 16, securing his place at the season-ending Tour Championship and easing pressure ahead of the Crucible. For Jack Lisowski, the search for a first ranking title continues, but his performance in Llandudno, particularly his evening session resilience, proved once again that his breakthrough moment is surely imminent.
The tournament will be remembered for Hawkins' commanding performance, a blend of heavy scoring and tactical astuteness that was simply too much for the field this week. His path to the final included impressive victories over the likes of Mark Selby and John Higgins, proving his win was no fluke. In lifting the Ray Reardon Trophy, Barry Hawkins didn't just win a tournament; he cemented his legacy as one of snooker's most accomplished and respected champions of the modern era.
