STEPHEN LEE ENDS TITLE DROUGHT
Stephen Lee won his first ranking event for six years by beating Neil Robertson 4-0 in the final of the Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway.
The 37-year-old from Trowbridge outplayed Masters champion Robertson at the Bailey Allen Hall to win the trophy and £70,000 top prize - the fifth ranking title of his career and first since the 2006 Welsh Open.
Lee dropped out of the world's top 16 in 2008 and appeared to be in freefall down the rankings. But he has found a second wind in his career and is now pushing for a place among the top eight.
Australia's Robertson saw his perfect record in televised finals broken as he lost for the first time in 10 attempts. The 30-year-old Cambridge-based potter had to settle for the runner-up prize of £35,000.
Lee, the world's most consistent player in recent weeks, said: "I didn't let Neil get going, and in these short matches if you don't settle in the first couple of frames then you can lose 4-0.
"It's a cracking feeling, it makes all the hard work and travelling worthwhile.
"A big thanks goes to Barry Hearn because he's got all the lads buzzing about the game again. I knew I was good enough, I just couldn't cope with playing six tournaments a year. There was so much pressure on every event and it was a horrible feeling.
"The game is in a great situation now and I just wish I was ten years younger. I've got the belief in myself back and I've beaten top players which is very satisfying. I appreciate it more now I'm older."
Robertson said: "The first frame set the tone, I had chances to win it but just couldn't take them."
"It's disappointing to lose a final but it doesn't feel as bad as I thought it would. I've won nine out of 10 finals which is still a good record."
Stephen Lee won his first ranking event for six years by beating Neil Robertson 4-0 in the final of the Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway.
The 37-year-old from Trowbridge outplayed Masters champion Robertson at the Bailey Allen Hall to win the trophy and £70,000 top prize - the fifth ranking title of his career and first since the 2006 Welsh Open.
Lee dropped out of the world's top 16 in 2008 and appeared to be in freefall down the rankings. But he has found a second wind in his career and is now pushing for a place among the top eight.
Australia's Robertson saw his perfect record in televised finals broken as he lost for the first time in 10 attempts. The 30-year-old Cambridge-based potter had to settle for the runner-up prize of £35,000.
Lee, the world's most consistent player in recent weeks, said: "I didn't let Neil get going, and in these short matches if you don't settle in the first couple of frames then you can lose 4-0.
"It's a cracking feeling, it makes all the hard work and travelling worthwhile.
"A big thanks goes to Barry Hearn because he's got all the lads buzzing about the game again. I knew I was good enough, I just couldn't cope with playing six tournaments a year. There was so much pressure on every event and it was a horrible feeling.
"The game is in a great situation now and I just wish I was ten years younger. I've got the belief in myself back and I've beaten top players which is very satisfying. I appreciate it more now I'm older."
Robertson said: "The first frame set the tone, I had chances to win it but just couldn't take them."
"It's disappointing to lose a final but it doesn't feel as bad as I thought it would. I've won nine out of 10 finals which is still a good record."