View source for Alex Higgins

{{Short description|Northern Irish snooker player (1949–2010)}}
{{about|the snooker player|other people with similar names|Alexander Higgins (disambiguation){{!}}Alexander Higgins}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox snooker player
| name          = Alex Higgins
| image         = Alexhiggins2008.jpg
| caption       = Higgins in 2008
|alt=Alex Higgins seated at a table, reading a newspaper
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|df=yes|1949|3|18}}
| birth_place   = [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|7|24|1949|3|18}}
| death_place   = Belfast, Northern Ireland
| Sport country = {{NIR}}
| Professional  = 1968, 1970–1997
| High ranking  = 2 ([[1976–77 snooker world rankings|1976–77]] and [[1982–83 snooker world rankings|1982–83]])
| Official maximums = 
| Ranking wins  = 1
| World champ   = {{Hlist|[[1972 World Snooker Championship|1972]] | [[1982 World Snooker Championship|1982]]}}
}}
'''Alexander Gordon Higgins''' (18 March 1949&nbsp;– 24&nbsp;July 2010) was a Northern Irish professional [[snooker]] player and a two-time world champion, remembered as one of the most iconic figures in the sport's history. Nicknamed "Hurricane Higgins" for his rapid play, and known as the "People's Champion" for his popularity and charisma, he is often credited as being a key figure in snooker's success as a mainstream televised sport in the 1980s.

After turning professional in 1970, he won the [[World Snooker Championship]] in [[1972 World Snooker Championship|1972]], defeating [[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]] 37{{nbnd}}31 in the final to become the first qualifier to win the world title, a feat that only three other players have achieved since: [[Terry Griffiths]] in [[1979 World Snooker Championship|1979]], [[Shaun Murphy]] in [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]], and [[Zhao Xintong]] in [[2025 World Snooker Championship|2025]]. Aged 22, he was then the sport's youngest world champion, a record he held until 21-year-old [[Stephen Hendry]] won the title in [[1990 World Snooker Championship|1990]]. Higgins was world championship runner-up to [[Ray Reardon]] in [[1976 World Snooker Championship|1976]] and [[Cliff Thorburn]] in [[1980 World Snooker Championship|1980]]. At the [[1982 World Snooker Championship|1982 event]], he recovered from 13{{nbnd}}15 behind to defeat [[Jimmy White]] 16{{nbnd}}15 in the semi-finals, producing a 69 clearance in the penultimate {{cuegloss|frame}} which is regarded as one of the finest {{cuegloss|break}}s in the sport's history. He defeated Reardon 18{{nbnd}}15 in the final, winning his second world title ten years after his first.

Higgins won the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] title in [[1978 Masters (snooker)|1978]] and [[1981 Masters (snooker)|1981]] and the [[UK Championship]] in [[1983 UK Championship|1983]], where he recovered from 0{{nbnd}}7 behind to defeat [[Steve Davis]] 16{{nbnd}}15 in the final. As of 2023, he is one of eleven players to have completed a career [[Triple Crown (snooker)|Triple Crown]]. He won the [[World Doubles Championship]] with White in 1984 and competed alongside [[Dennis Taylor]] and [[Eugene Hughes (snooker player)|Eugene Hughes]] on the all-Ireland team that won the [[World Cup (snooker)|World Cup]] three consecutive times between 1985 and 1987. He won his last professional title at the [[1989 Irish Masters]], defeating Hendry 9{{nbnd}}8 in the final. He failed to qualify for the professional tour in [[1997–98 snooker season|1997{{nbnd}}98]] and played his last professional match in August 1997.

Remembered for his turbulent lifestyle, Higgins was a heavy smoker, struggled with drinking and gambling, and admitted to using cocaine and marijuana. He had tempestuous relationships with women—both of his marriages ended in divorce, and he had widely publicised altercations with other girlfriends, one of whom stabbed him three times during a domestic argument. Known as an unpredictable, difficult, and volatile character, he was often disciplined by the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|sport's governing body]], most notably when he was fined £12,000 and banned for five tournaments in 1986 after head-butting an official, and banned again for the entire [[1990–91 snooker season|1990{{nbnd}}91 season]] after punching another official and threatening to have Taylor shot. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and died of multiple causes in his Belfast home on 24&nbsp;July 2010, aged 61.

==Life and career==

===Early life===
Alexander Gordon Higgins was born in [[Belfast]] on 18&nbsp;March 1949, the only son of Alexander Gordon Higgins, a labourer, and his wife Elizabeth (née Stockman), a cleaner; he had three sisters, Isobel, Ann and Jean.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pp=24–25}}<ref name="TOBIT" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=James |title=Higgins, Alexander Gordon |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/higgins-alexander-gordon-alex-hurricane-a9828 |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=Dictionary of Irish National Biography |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423071123/https://www.dib.ie/biography/higgins-alexander-gordon-alex-hurricane-a9828 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was raised primarily by his mother because his father sustained a brain injury after being hit by a lorry.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hourican |first=Emily |date=1 August 2010 |title=Night my hero let me down |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/night-my-hero-let-me-down/26668488.html |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=Irish Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828211323/https://www.independent.ie/life/night-my-hero-let-me-down/26668488.html |archive-date=28 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The family lived on Abingdon Drive in [[Sandy Row]], a predominantly Protestant working-class area of inner-city south Belfast, and Higgins was educated at the local Mabel Street Primary School and Kelvin Secondary School.<ref name=":0" /> From age 10, he began frequenting the Jam Pot, a local [[Billiard hall|snooker and billiards hall]], running bets for his father and doing odd jobs.<ref name=TG16/> He began to play snooker at the Jam Pot at age 11,{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=28}}<ref name="WS profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/past_players-10028.htm |title=World Snooker profile |website=World Snooker |access-date=7 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224091833/http://www.worldsnooker.com/past_players-10028.htm |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref> and he later began playing with more challenging opponents at the Shaftesbury and [[YMCA]] clubs in the city centre.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=35}}

He left school in 1964 and worked as a messenger for the Irish Linen Company, but the job was short-lived as it offered few prospects, and the business was in decline.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=33}} At 15, after spotting a newspaper advert for [[stable boy]]s at Eddie Reavey's stables in [[Wantage]], Berkshire, he left Belfast in the hope of following in the footsteps of his idol [[Lester Piggott]] and becoming a jockey. His employer later recalled Higgins as "a starved little rat from the slums".<ref name=":1" /> Despite being fired six times, he was taken back on board and stayed with Reavey for almost two years, during which time he gained too much weight to be able to ride competitively.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=34}} He left the stables for London, where he settled in a flat in [[Leytonstone]] and took up snooker again. He won several money matches and earned extra income at a paper mill near [[London Bridge]], but he grew homesick and returned to Belfast in late 1967.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=35}}

Higgins joined the snooker league at the Mountpottinger YMCA, where he faced tougher opponents and practised up to six hours a day, studying weaknesses in the other players and devising new shots in his game.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=36}} In January 1968, he entered and won the [[Northern Ireland Amateur Championship]], defeating Maurice Gill 4{{nbnd}}1 in the final.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=37}} He won the title at his first appearance and, aged 18, he was the tournament's youngest-ever champion.<ref name="NI68" /> One week later, he won the All-Ireland Amateur Championship and turned professional for a short spell before reverting to amateur status.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=39}}<ref name="SCENE">{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Alex Higgins (Rec 14) 23–18 John Spencer|magazine=Billiards and Snooker |publisher=Billiards Association and Control Council |date=September 1969 |page=5}}</ref> Around this time, he was appointed captain of the Mountpottinger YMCA snooker team.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=39}}<ref name="AI1968">{{Cite news|title=World sport in brief|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=18 March 1968|page=13}}</ref> He defended his Northern Ireland Amateur title the following year but lost 0{{nbnd}}4 to Dessie Anderson in the final.<ref name="NI1969">{{Cite news|title=Higgins humbled by Anderson|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=15 March 1969|page=14}}</ref> Higgins defeated world champion [[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]] in several exhibition matches, where he was given a start of 14 {{cuegloss|points}} per {{cuegloss|frame}}.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=41}}{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=83}} These victories, coupled with his rise in popularity (his matches were attended by as many as several hundred people), convinced Higgins to return to England and turn professional.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pp=42–43}}

===Professional career===
====1970s====
Higgins settled in [[Blackburn]], Lancashire, as it presented favourable opportunities for pursuing a career in snooker.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pp=42–43}} His talent for the game was recognised by local salesman Dennis Broderick and bingo tycoons Jack Leeming and John McLaughlin, who became his agents and bought him a flat and some new clothes.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=43}}{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=83}} McLaughlin originated the nickname "Hurricane", although Higgins would have preferred "Alexander the Great".{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=83}} Higgins applied to the [[Billiards Association and Control Council]] (BACC) to become a professional player, and his application was accepted in January 1970.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins hurries |magazine=Billiards and Snooker |publisher=Billiards Association and Control Council |date=January 1970 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=BA&CC official: Professional members |magazine=Billiards and Snooker |publisher=Billiards Association and Control Council |date=February 1970 |page=16}}</ref> He was initially a probationary member, meaning that he had to prove to the BACC that he could earn a living from playing snooker.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pages=43, 342}} By this time, he had worked out his strategy against the top professionals, noting that they were 'percentage players' and the way to beat them was to "attack with brute force and scare them to death".{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=52}} His sister Isobel offered to pay the £100 fee for entry into the [[1971 World Snooker Championship|1971 World Championship]], but Higgins declined because he felt not quite ready.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=45}}

At the [[1972 World Snooker Championship|1972 World Championship]], which began in March 1971 and concluded in February 1972, Higgins defeated John Spencer 37{{nbnd}}31 in the final to win the world title at his first attempt.<ref name="T28FEB">{{cite news |title=Snooker: Higgins makes final flourish |newspaper=The Times |date=28 February 1972 |page=7}}</ref>{{efn|name="72FINAL"|Some sources give the score as 37–32. ''The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History'' (2004) says "Higgins triumphed 37{{nbnd}}31 (not 37{{nbnd}}32 as so many publications have wrongly printed)".{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|p=8}}}} He had won ten consecutive frames in the qualifying competition, defeating [[Maurice Parkin]] 11{{nbnd}}3 for a place in the main draw.<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins wins – Now for Jack Rea |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |date=9 September 1971 |page=9}}</ref><ref name="AHMP">{{cite magazine |title=Alex Higgins 11 – Maurice Parkin 3; John Dunning 11 – Graham Miles 5 |magazine=World Snooker |date=October 1971 |page=2 }}</ref> He had then eliminated [[Jackie Rea]] 19{{nbnd}}11 in the first round, making {{cuegloss|breaks}} of 103 and 133 during the match.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=World Professional Snooker Championship |magazine=World Snooker |date=December 1971 |page=1 }}</ref> Rea complimented Higgins on his performance, saying that "He does everything wrong. And yet he knocks such a lot in."{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=84}} (In January 1972, whilst the World Championship was still in progress, Higgins defeated Rea in the final of the [[Irish Professional Championship]], a title that Rea had held for two decades.){{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=84}} In the quarter-finals, Higgins defeated former world champion [[John Pulman]] 31{{nbnd}}23.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=84}} In the semi-finals, [[Rex Williams]] established a 12{{nbnd}}6 lead against him by winning nine consecutive frames; Higgins trailed until the 50th frame, when he was able to draw level and then pull ahead 26{{nbnd}}25. The match ended with a {{cuegloss|deciding frame}}, in which Williams was leading by 14 points but missed an attempt to {{cuegloss|pot}} the {{cuegloss|blue ball}} from its spot into a middle pocket. Higgins then compiled a break of 32, and after an exchange of {{cuegloss|safety}} play he potted the {{cuegloss|green ball}} to clinch victory.{{sfn|Everton|1993|pages=31–35}} Williams later commented "That blue could have changed the direction of both our careers."{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=84}}

Spectators at the 1972 world final, held at Selly Park British Legion in Birmingham, were seated on makeshift benches made from wooden boards supported on beer barrels.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=84}} There was a [[UK miners' strike (1972)|miners' strike]] in progress at the time of the final, and without normal power on the first evening of play, the opening session was conducted with dim lighting provided by a [[Engine–generator|mobile generator]].<ref name="TOPPLE">{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=How Alexander the Great toppled King John |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=April 1972 |pages=4–8}}</ref> The scores were tied at 6{{nbnd}}6 after the first day of play and 9{{nbnd}}9 at the end of the third session; Spencer then pulled ahead in the fourth session to lead 13{{nbnd}}11.<ref name="SPENCER1311">{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Spencer 13–11 Ahead in Snooker Final |work=The Birmingham Post |date=23 February 1972 |page=22 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-spencer1311/181644656/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Higgins kept pace and ended day three tied again at 18{{nbnd}}18, this the half-way point of the match.<ref name="TOPPLE"/> After once more drawing level, at 21{{nbnd}}21, Higgins won six consecutive frames to lead 27{{nbnd}}21.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=85}} He also took the first frame on day five but lost four of the next five frames to finish 29{{nbnd}}25 ahead.<ref name="TOPPLE" /> On the last day, Higgins made a break of 82 in the 66th frame, maintaining a four-frame lead at 35{{nbnd}}31.<ref name="BP28F">{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Higgins lands title at first attempt |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=28 February 1972 |page=18 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-higginslands/181645155/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He took the opening frame of the concluding session,<ref name="BP28F" /> before compiling breaks of 94 and 46 to win the last frame he needed by 140 points to 0 to secure a 37{{nbnd}}31 victory.<ref name="T28FEB"/> On winning the championship, Higgins earned £480 in prize money.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=60}} Aged 22, he was the youngest-ever snooker world champion, a record he held until {{nowrap|21-year-old}} [[Stephen Hendry]] won the title in [[1990 World Snooker Championship|1990]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Spencer-Higgins world snooker final is a hit with the fans |work=The Birmingham Post |date=17 February 1972 |page=17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-shws/173806743/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1990 – cue Stephen Hendry | date = 12 April 2002 | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1921463.stm | work = BBC Sport | access-date = 24 September 2010 | archive-date = 5 April 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120405183531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1921463.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> Higgins was also the first qualifier to win the world title, (as of 2025) a feat only achieved by three other players—[[Terry Griffiths]] in [[1979 World Snooker Championship|1979]], [[Shaun Murphy]] in [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]] and [[Zhao Xintong]] in [[2025 World Snooker Championship|2025]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kane |first=Desmond |title=World Championship 2025: Zhao Xintong hits three centuries to make dream start to Crucible qualifying campaign as Reanne Evans suffers early exit |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/halo-world-championship/2024-2025/zhao-xintong-three-centuries-dream-start-qualifying-cheung-ka-wai-reanne-evans_sto23171142/story.shtml |website=TNT Sports |date=8 April 2025 |access-date=4 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250609114138/https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/halo-world-championship/2024-2025/zhao-xintong-three-centuries-dream-start-qualifying-cheung-ka-wai-reanne-evans_sto23171142/story.shtml |archive-date=9 June 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kane |first=Desmond |title=Zhao Xintong reveals fresh targets for new season after becoming China's first world champion with world no.&nbsp;1 Judd Trump in his sights |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/zhao-xintong-reveals-fresh-targets-for-new-season-after-becoming-chinas-first-world-champion-with-world-no.-1-judd-trump-in-his-sights_sto23182882/story.shtml |website=TNT Sports |date=15 May 2025 |access-date=4 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250609114518/https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/zhao-xintong-reveals-fresh-targets-for-new-season-after-becoming-chinas-first-world-champion-with-world-no.-1-judd-trump-in-his-sights_sto23182882/story.shtml |archive-date=9 June 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During an exhibition match in [[Bombay]], India, an inebriated Higgins was unable to play because of the high temperatures and proceeded to play shirtless, for which he was fined £200.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=70}} Making his debut appearance on ''[[Pot Black]]'' in 1973, he lost his first game and stormed off the set; [[Ted Lowe]] persuaded him to return and complete his other games, but Higgins was excluded from the show for the next five years due to ongoing friction between the two.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=76}} Defending his title at the [[1973 World Snooker Championship|1973 World Championship]], Higgins lost 9{{nbnd}}23 to [[Eddie Charlton]] in the semi-finals.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=79}} He blamed the defeat on having to use a new {{cuegloss|cue}}, as his usual cue had been broken a few months before the tournament.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Semi-final |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=May 1973 |page=15}}</ref> At the time, the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] (WPBSA) had scheduled a meeting to hear a complaint that Higgins had dropped out of a tournament after objecting to the lighting conditions.<ref name="73DR">{{cite news |title='Hurricane' Higgins comes a cropper |newspaper=Daily Record |date=24 April 1973 |page=26 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-hurricane-higgins-comes-a-c/163246383/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Pulman, the WPBSA chairman, declared that he welcomed Higgins losing because he had "dragged the game down".{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=86}}<ref name="73DR"/>

By the end of 1974, Higgins had started to alter his attacking style of play, adding more tactical and safety elements,{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=81}} but he produced inconsistent results for the rest of the decade.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=86}} He reached the world championship final again in [[1976 World Snooker Championship|1976]] after narrow victories over [[Cliff Thorburn]], Spencer and Charlton.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=87}} Higgins was leading 10{{nbnd}}9 against [[Ray Reardon]] in the final, but his game faded as the match progressed.{{sfn|Everton|1993|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=87}} In a contest marred by erratic refereeing and a sub-standard table,{{sfn|Everton|2012|pp=51–52}} Reardon pulled away to win the title for the fifth time, the score finishing at 27{{nbnd}}16.{{sfn|Everton|1993|pp=43–44}} At the [[1977 World Snooker Championship|1977 World Championship]], the first to be held at the [[Crucible Theatre]] in Sheffield, Higgins lost the deciding frame of his first-round match against [[Doug Mountjoy]].{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=87}} Although he was not one of the eight invited professionals to enter the 1977 [[Pontins Open]], for which Lowe was an organiser, Higgins was one of 24 players from an entry of 864 to reach the stage where the invited professionals joined the draw, despite having to concede 21 points per frame against amateur players.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=87}} He [[Whitewash (sport)|whitewashed]] Reardon and [[Fred Davis (snooker player)|Fred Davis]], then defeated Griffiths 7{{nbnd}}4 in the final, watched by an audience of around 2,000 people.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|pp=87–88}} In their book about world snooker champions, ''Masters of the Baize'' (2005), Luke Williams and Paul Gadsby wrote that the tournament "cemented his status as 'The People's Champion'".{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=87}}

Outside competition, Higgins completed a {{cuegloss|16-red clearance|{{nowrap|16-red}} clearance}} in a challenge match in 1976, making a break of 146; he potted the {{cuegloss|brown ball}} as the first "red", and his 16 chosen colours were ten blacks, five pinks and one green.<ref name="clearances">{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Plr/records.shtml |title=Snooker world records (16 red ball clearances) |website=snooker.org |access-date=7 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428082028/http://www.snooker.org/plr/records.shtml |archive-date=28 April 2010 }}</ref> Higgins retained the Irish Professional title against [[Dennis Taylor]] in February 1978.<ref name="IPC2"/> The following week, he secured the [[1978 Masters (snooker)|1978 Masters]] title with a 7{{nbnd}}5 victory over Thorburn, from 4{{nbnd}}5 behind.<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins is new master |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 February 1978 |page=28 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-higgins-is-new-maste/163250232/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At the [[1978 World Snooker Championship|1978 World Championship]], he led [[Patsy Fagan]] 12{{nbnd}}11 in the first round but was eliminated after losing three close frames: the first on a {{cuegloss|re-spotted black}}, the second on the final {{cuegloss|black}}, and the third on the final {{cuegloss|pink}}.<ref name="BBC78">{{cite web |title=1978: Reardon makes it six |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/2953755.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2003 |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040503200332/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/2953755.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He saw off challenges from Fagan for the Irish Professional title in 1978 and 1979.<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Irish Professional Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishpro.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155813/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishpro.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref>

====1980s====
[[File:Steve Davis at German Masters Snooker Final (DerHexer) 2012-02-05 08.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Steve Davis]] ''(pictured in 2012)''. Higgins wrote in 1987 that, "Playing big match snooker can be as great a turn-on as sex. There's nothing more exhilarating than walking into a room bursting with people to challenge my old enemy, Steve Davis."{{sfn|Higgins|Francis|1987|p=7}}]]
A few days before the start of the [[1980 World Snooker Championship|1980 World Championship]], Higgins lost the Irish Professional Championship to Dennis Taylor, having held the title for eight years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Taylor upsets Higgins |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 April 1980 |page=21 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-taylor-upsets-higgins/163252698/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At the World Championship, he won a deciding frame against [[Tony Meo]] in the first round, then eliminated [[Perrie Mans]], [[Steve Davis]], and [[Kirk Stevens]] to reach the final against Cliff Thorburn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Embassy World Championship |url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071753/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |website=Snooker Scene |access-date=9 May 2012}}</ref> Sydney Friskin of ''[[The Times]]'' described the match as a contrast of styles: "the shrewd cumulative processes of Thorburn against the explosive break-building of Higgins". He also noted that each player had accused the other of distracting him during the match.<ref name="06MAYT">{{cite news |last=Friskin |first=Sydney |date=5 May 1980 |title=Thorburn recovers useful ground in the 'cold war' |newspaper=The Times |page=12}}</ref> Higgins began the final playing the matchplay snooker for which he had been commended,<ref>{{cite news |first=Clive |last=Everton |url=https://broughscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/May-4th-1980-Nureyev-wins-the-2000-Guineas.pdf |title=Smart Alex wiser now |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=4 May 1980 |page=4 |via=BroughScott.com}}</ref> leading 6{{nbnd}}3 at the end of the first session and extending his advantage to 9{{nbnd}}5. However, Thorburn tied the match at 9{{nbnd}}9;{{sfn|Morrison|1989|p=35}} they then drew level at 11{{nbnd}}11, 13{{nbnd}}13, 15{{nbnd}}15 and 16{{nbnd}}16, after which Thorburn won the two frames he needed to secure victory at 18{{nbnd}}16.{{sfn|Morrison|1989|p=35}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |author-link=Clive Everton |date=6 May 1980 |title=Thorburn pots the title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123202936/thorburn-pots-the-title/ |newspaper=The Guardian |page=22 |access-date=20 April 2023 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420130400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123202936/thorburn-pots-the-title/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Higgins was runner-up to Davis at the [[1980 UK Championship]], losing the final 6{{nbnd}}16.<ref>{{cite web|title=UK Championship|url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=34|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071813/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=34|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 January 2013|website=Snooker Scene|access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hale |first=Janice |title=Supreme artistry takes Davis to title |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 December 1980 |page=23 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-supreme-artistry-tak/163254195/ |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120171800/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-supreme-artistry-tak/163254195/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the first player to win a second [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] title, beating Terry Griffiths 9{{nbnd}}7 in the [[1981 Masters (snooker)|1981]] final after finishing runner-up to Griffiths [[1980 Masters (snooker)|the previous year]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ernest |first=Peter |title=Higgins gains revenge |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 February 1981 |page=22 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-higgins-gains-reveng/163257101/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He lost to Davis in the second round of the [[1981 World Snooker Championship|1981 World Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Calm Davis clears the Higgins hurdle |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 April 1981 |page=19 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-calm-davis/163254664/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The same year, Souvenir Press published ''"Hurricane" Higgins' Snooker Scrapbook'', an autobiographical work that Higgins had written in collaboration with Angela Patmore, having worked on the manuscript for almost a decade.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title='Hurricane' Higgins' Snooker Scrapbook |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=June 1981 |pages=25–26}}</ref>

Higgins won his second world title in [[1982 World Snooker Championship|1982]].{{sfn|Morrison|1988|p=52}} After eliminating [[Jim Meadowcroft]] 10{{nbnd}}5 in the first round,<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Now Griffiths goes |date=5 May 1982 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |page=20}}</ref> he won the deciding frame of his match against Doug Mountjoy and prevailed 13{{nbnd}}10 against [[Willie Thorne]].{{sfn|Morrison|1988|p=52}} He trailed [[Jimmy White]] 13{{nbnd}}15 in their best-of-31 semi-final match, before taking the 29th frame and then compiling a break of 69 in the penultimate frame. Higgins had been 0{{nbnd}}59 points behind but managed to complete an extremely challenging {{cuegloss|clearance}}, during which he was rarely in good {{cuegloss|position}}; this is regarded as one of the finest breaks in snooker history.<ref name="CARPET">{{cite web |last=Kane |first=Desmond |title=Blood on the carpet: How Higgins and Davis made modern snooker |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2016-2017/blood-on-the-carpet-how-bitter-rivals-alex-higgins-and-steve-davis-created-modern-snooker_sto6126816/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |date=25 July 2020 |access-date=17 July 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815090846/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2016-2017/blood-on-the-carpet-how-bitter-rivals-alex-higgins-and-steve-davis-created-modern-snooker_sto6126816/story.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|pp=89–90}}<ref name=TG16>{{cite web|last=Hartrick |first=David |date=25 January 2016 |title=How Alex Higgins rode the hurricane to produce one of snooker's greatest breaks |website=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/in-bed-with-maradona/2016/jan/25/alex-higgins-hurricane-snooker-jimmy-white-crucible |access-date=16 March 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110104730/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/in-bed-with-maradona/2016/jan/25/alex-higgins-hurricane-snooker-jimmy-white-crucible}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hurricane who tore up the rules of snooker |newspaper=The Times |date=15 October 2016|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/hurricane-who-tore-up-the-rules-of-snooker-x2fb5gzsw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722182440/https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/hurricane-who-tore-up-the-rules-of-snooker-x2fb5gzsw |archive-date=22 July 2024 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> He faced Ray Reardon in the final; from 15{{nbnd}}15, Higgins took the next three frames for an 18{{nbnd}}15 victory, achieving a 135 total clearance in the final frame.{{sfn|Morrison|1988|p=52}} A tearful Higgins summoned his wife and baby daughter from the audience to celebrate with him.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|pp=89–90}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Billy |date=15 May 2021 |title=TV Review: Alex Higgins was the ultimate television box office |url=https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2021/05/15/news/tv-review-alex-higgins-was-the-ultimate-television-box-office-2319952/ |access-date=16 March 2023 |website=The Irish News |language=en |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-date=5 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105002812/https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2021/05/15/news/tv-review-alex-higgins-was-the-ultimate-television-box-office-2319952/}}</ref> He would have been top of the world rankings for the [[1982–83 snooker season|1982{{nbnd}}83 season]] had he not forfeited ranking points as a result of disciplinary action.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Osley |first1=Richard |last2=Gray |first2=Sadie |title=Snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins is dead |work=The Independent |date=25 July 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/snooker-legend-alex-hurricane-higgins-is-dead-2034992.html |access-date=1 December 2010 |location=London |archive-date=28 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728233413/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/snooker-legend-alex-hurricane-higgins-is-dead-2034992.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Belfast Telegraph |title=Alex Higgins: The genius |date=26 July 2010 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-the-genius-14888599.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017064031/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-the-genius-14888599.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 October 2012 |access-date=1 December 2010 }}</ref> Higgins released a [[country and western]] styled single in 1982, titled "One-Four-Seven",<ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Murray |title=The Joy of Six: Great crucible moments |website=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/apr/08/joy-of-six-crucible-snooker-moments |date=8 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227140853/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/apr/08/joy-of-six-crucible-snooker-moments}}</ref> but it failed to chart.<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Hendon |title=The Crucible maximums |url=https://www.wst.tv/147s/thecruciblemaxiums/ |website=World Snooker |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040617/https://www.wst.tv/147s/thecruciblemaxiums/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

He lost 5{{nbnd}}16 to Davis in the semi-finals of the [[1983 World Snooker Championship|1983 World Championship]].{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=90}} Later that year, he reached the final of the [[1983 UK Championship|UK Championship]], where he trailed Davis 0{{nbnd}}7 before producing a comeback to win 16{{nbnd}}15 for his first UK title.<ref name="UK Championship history">{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4485494.stm | title = UK Championship history | work = BBC Sport | date = 2 December 2005 | access-date = 4 August 2010 | archive-date = 12 May 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060512132724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4485494.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> After recovering to two frames behind at 7{{nbnd}}9 and levelling the match at 12{{nbnd}}12, Higgins had again fallen behind at 12{{nbnd}}14 on his way to victory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Higgins wraps up epic victory |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 December 1983 |page=23 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-wraps/181745533/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Snooker journalist and historian David Hendon wrote in 2025 that Higgins had "demonstrat[ed] the heart for a fight that so thrilled audiences".{{sfn|Hendon|2025|p=65}} On winning the 1983 UK title, Higgins became the third player—after Steve Davis and Terry Griffiths—to achieve a career [[Triple Crown (snooker)|Triple Crown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2018/dec/04/alex-higgins-snooker-comeback-story-steve-davis-uk-championship |title=When Alex Higgins gave snooker its greatest comeback story 35 years ago |work=The Guardian |last=Pye |first=Steven |date=4 December 2018 |access-date=18 September 2025 |url-status=live |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215020720/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2018/dec/04/alex-higgins-snooker-comeback-story-steve-davis-uk-championship}}</ref> He wrote in 2007: "I knew I had triumphed in one of the greatest comebacks in snooker history. I was back on top, and nothing was going to stand in my way.&nbsp;– How wrong I was. This was just the beginning of the end."{{sfn|Higgins|2007|p=210}} Williams and Gadsby wrote that after this win "his career drifted into a gradual downward spiral", and they commented that Higgins was to lose many more matches as he moved "from one crisis and scandal to another".{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=91}} The 1983 UK Championship proved to be the last individual title that Higgins won in the UK.{{sfn|Higgins|2007|p=210}}

In 1986, Higgins split with his manager Del Simmons and signed with Framework, a management group run by Howard Kruger who also managed White, Stevens and [[Tony Knowles (snooker player)|Tony Knowles]]. Later that year, the four players and the band [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] released a [[Cover version|cover]] of "[[The Wanderer (Dion song)|The Wanderer]]" by Dion as a counter to "[[Snooker Loopy]]", a pop single featuring snooker players managed by [[Barry Hearn]]'s Matchroom.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=144}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Four Away as cue stars go to pop |newspaper=Daily Record |date=24 April 1986 |page=40 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-four-away-as-cue-stars-go-t/161473886/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At the [[1986 UK Championship]], Higgins head-butted tournament director Paul Hatherell after an argument; he was fined £12,000 and banned from five tournaments,<ref name="BBC (2003)">{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2889881.stm | title = Bad boys: Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins | work = BBC Sport | date = 11 April 2003 | access-date = 1 May 2009 | archive-date = 30 March 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070330154755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/2889881.stm | url-status = live}}</ref> as well as being convicted of assault and criminal damage arising from the incident and fined £250 by a court.<ref name="Tel turbulent"/> At the [[1987 Irish Masters]], he was fined £500 for being abusive towards tournament director Kevin Norton.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=150}} He reached the Masters final for the fifth time in [[1987 Masters (snooker)|1987]], losing to Dennis Taylor in the deciding frame.{{sfn|Morrison|1987|pp=14–15}}

By 1988, Higgins had been fined a total of £17,200 in his professional career.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=154}} That year, he was dropped by Kruger and acquired a new manager, Robin Driscoll.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=153}} In January 1989, he fell from the window of his partner's first-floor flat, breaking multiple bones in his ankle. He arrived at several subsequent matches on crutches and played while hopping on one leg.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=155}} Later that year, Kruger's Framework management company was [[wound up]] at his instigation, with Higgins claiming that he was owed over £50,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Sport in brief: Snooker |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 July 1989 |page=18 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-sport-in-brief/163289374/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> After Higgins had died, [[Clive Everton]] wrote that the money lost to Framework was "a financial blow from which [Higgins] never recovered."<ref name="FG"/>{{rp|6}} The last professional tournament that he won was the [[1989 Irish Masters]], where he beat Stephen Hendry 9{{nbnd}}8 in the final.<ref name="FG"/>

====1990s====
[[File:Dennis Taylor holding the World Snooker Championship Trophy.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|At the [[1990 World Cup (snooker)|1990 World Cup]], Higgins threatened his team captain, [[Dennis Taylor]] ''(pictured in 2025 holding the World Championship trophy)''.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=167}}]]
Higgins made his last appearance in a major final in March 1990, at the [[1990 British Open|British Open]], losing 8{{nbnd}}10 against Canadian player [[Bob Chaperon]]. Higgins received a runner-up prize of £45,000, the highest of his career.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=166}} After losing his first-round match to [[Steve James (snooker player)|Steve James]] at the [[1990 World Snooker Championship|1990 World Championship]], he remained seated in the arena for some time, ordering several vodka and orange drinks, slouched in his chair and twitching.{{sfn|Cooper|2023|p=21}} Afterwards, he punched tournament official Colin Randle in the abdomen before attending a press conference at which he announced his retirement, and he threw insults at the media as he left. This followed another incident at the [[1990 World Cup (snooker)|1990 World Cup]], where he had repeatedly argued with fellow player and compatriot Dennis Taylor, insulting his late mother and threatening to have Taylor shot if he returned to Northern Ireland.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=167}} For his conduct, Higgins was banned from the professional circuit for the remainder of the season ([[1990–91 snooker season|1990{{nbnd}}91]]) and the whole of the next ([[1991–92 snooker season|1991{{nbnd}}92]]).<ref name="Times online">{{cite news | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece | title = Top five controversial incidents | work = The Times | date = 4 May 2007 | access-date = 7 August 2009 | location = London | first = Phil | last = Yates | archive-date = 9 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110809223619/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece | url-status = dead}}</ref> During his {{nowrap|15-month}} ban, he put together a biography video titled ''I'm No Angel'' (1991).{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=176}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Alex is right on cue |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=23 September 1991 |page=6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-alex-is-right-on/163282096/ |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120171601/https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-alex-is-right-on/163282096/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He released a cover version of "[[Wild Thing (The Troggs song)|Wild Thing]]" in 1992, in collaboration with actor [[Oliver Reed]] and [[the Troggs]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ollie and Alex – the Wild Things |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=24 November 1992 |page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-ollie-and-alex/161473325/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Frances |title=Sing a song to set those tills ringing |newspaper=Daily Express |location=Glasgow |date=15 December 1992 |page=33|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-express-sing-a-song/161473421/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In August 1991, Higgins began his return to the professional circuit by registering for pre-season qualifying matches. Now ranked 120th in the world, he was whitewashed by 20-year-old [[Adrian Rosa]] and subsequently failed to qualify for another five tournaments.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=287}} He reached the last&nbsp;16 of the [[1991 Dubai Classic]] but lost to James. He also reached the televised stages of the [[1991 UK Championship]] but lost 4{{nbnd}}9 to Stephen Hendry in the first round. Hendry claimed that Higgins had said "Up your arse, you cunt" to him during their post-match handshake; he reported the incident to the governing body, and the case was settled in a London court nine months later. Higgins was fined £500, bringing the total amount of fines that he had received as a professional to £23,200.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pp=288–291}} He was heavily defeated 1{{nbnd}}10 by [[Darren Morgan]] in qualifying for the [[1992 World Snooker Championship|1992 World Championship]], in a match described by Higgins as "surreal snooker ... never in ten years would I believe that result"; he demanded that he and Morgan take a drug test but later apologised.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=293}}

Higgins competed in pre-season qualifying matches against amateurs, including former women's champion [[Stacey Hillyard]].{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=176}} He reached the televised rounds of the [[1994 World Snooker Championship|1994 World Championship]], his first appearance in the {{nowrap|last-32}} of an event in three years.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=299}} Drawn against fellow Irishman [[Ken Doherty]] in the first round, Higgins was defeated 6{{nbnd}}10.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=189}} The following year, during the qualifying rounds, he complained that the match referee [[John Williams (snooker referee)|John Williams]] was distracting him, not by standing in his line of vision but by being "in his line of thought", when he was on a break that had reached 103.{{sfn|Cooper|2023|p=28}}<ref name="ENDG">{{cite news |last=Yates |first=Phil |title=End game for stricken Hurricance |newspaper=The Observer |date=3 January 1999 |page=S.14}}</ref> When Williams refused to move, Higgins continued his break in tears, eventually making 137, his highest-ever in a world championship match.{{sfn|Cooper|2023|p=28}}<ref name="ENDG"/> In December 1995, he was a member of the victorious Europe Team for the [[1995 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]], a [[nine-ball pool]] competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matchroompool.com/page/mcup1995/0,,12660,00.html |website=Matchroom Pool |title=Europe 16–15 USA |access-date=21 December 2010 |date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920004533/http://www.matchroompool.com/page/mcup1995/0%2C%2C12660%2C00.html |archive-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Shortly after winning the [[1997 World Snooker Championship|1997 World Championship]], Doherty agreed to play Higgins in an exhibition match at the [[Waterfront Hall]] in Belfast as a benefit event. Doherty, who had idolised Higgins as a youngster, secured a 5{{nbnd}}4 victory, and the event raised £10,000 for Higgins.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|p=201}} At the end of the [[1996–97 snooker season|1996{{nbnd}}97 season]], Higgins was ranked 156th in the world, at a time when only the top 64 players earned a place on the main tour for the following season.{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|pp=207–208}}<ref name="SCR97">{{cite magazine |title=WPBSA world rankings 1996–97 |magazine=Snooker Scene |date=June 1997 |publisher=Everton's News Agency |pages=28–30 }}</ref> Other players could opt to join a "qualifying school" played over the summer of 1997.<ref name="SCR97"/> In August of that year, Higgins played what was to become his final match on the professional circuit with a 1{{nbnd}}5 defeat to Neil Mosley at the [[Plymouth Pavilions]].{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|pp=207–208}} He became aggressive after the match and was escorted out of the venue by police.<ref name="FG"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Snooker: Higgins hurt in 'unprovoked assault' |newspaper=The Independent |date=3 August 1997 |page=S10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/173976926/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He then failed to appear at his next two scheduled qualifying matches, saying that he had been attacked with an iron bar; he had a sprained wrist and a sprained ankle.<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins taken to hospital after iron bar attack |newspaper=The Observer |date=3 August 1997 |page=5 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-ironbar/173813733/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Snooker: Higgins goes absent|newspaper=The Observer |date=10 August 1997 |page=S10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-hga/173814027/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{sfn|Hennessey|2000|pp=207–208}}

===Post-retirement===
After his exit from the professional game, Higgins spent time playing for small sums of money in and around Northern Ireland. He made appearances in the 2005 and 2006 Irish Professional Championship, experiencing first-round defeats by Garry Hardiman and [[Joe Delaney (snooker player)|Joe Delaney]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 Irish Professional Championship |url= http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2005-6/2005%20IRISH_PRO_CHAMPS.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090108045819/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2005-6/2005%20IRISH_PRO_CHAMPS.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 8 January 2009 |website= Global Snooker Centre |access-date= 4 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hurricane blown off course |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=10 October 2006 |page=T64 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-hboc/173772412/ |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

On 12 June 2007, it was reported that Higgins had assaulted a referee at a charity match in the north-east of England.<ref name="assault">{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6744831.stm | title = Higgins 'hits ref' at fund-raiser | work = BBC Sport | date = 12 June 2007 | access-date = 12 June 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070820183310/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6744831.stm| archive-date= 20 August 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> Higgins returned to competitive action in September 2007 at the [[2007 Irish Professional Championship|Irish Professional Championship]] in Dublin, where he was whitewashed 0{{nbnd}}5 by former [[British Open (snooker)|British Open]] champion [[Fergal O'Brien]] in the first round at the Spawell Club, Templeogue.<ref name="Higgins back in action">{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2007/0927/223151-snooker/ |title=O'Brien sees off Hurricane |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=5 January 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=4 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004101225/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2007/0927/223151-snooker/}}</ref> His autobiography, ''From the Eye of the Hurricane: My Story'', was published in 2007.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/16/snooker.features |title=The people's grouch |website=The Guardian |date=16 June 2007 |access-date=7 August 2009 |location=London |first=Simon |last=Hattenstone |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109152255/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/16/snooker.features |url-status=live}}</ref>

Higgins continued to play fairly regularly and enjoyed "hustling" all comers for small-time stakes in clubs in Northern Ireland and beyond; he entered the Northern Ireland Amateur Championship in May 2009, "to give it a crack",<ref name="N. Ireland Amateurs 2009">{{cite news| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8042229.stm | title = Higgins goes back to his roots | work = BBC Sport | date = 9 May 2009 | access-date = 12 May 2009 | archive-date = 14 January 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250114111429/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8042229.stm | url-status = live}}</ref> but he failed to appear for his match.<ref name="TOBIT">{{cite news |title=Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins |work=The Times |location=London |date=26 July 2010 |page=51}}</ref>

On 8 April 2010, Higgins was part of the debut ''Snooker Legends Tour'' event at the Crucible in Sheffield, appearing alongside other retired or close-to-retiring professionals, including [[John Parrott]], Jimmy White, [[John Virgo]] and Cliff Thorburn. He faced Thorburn in his match but lost 0{{nbnd}}2.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.snookerlegends.co.uk/crucible2010.html | title = Crucible 2010 | website=SnookerLegends.co.uk | access-date = 24 July 2010 | archive-date = 23 April 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100423001726/http://www.snookerlegends.co.uk/crucible2010.html | url-status = dead}}</ref>

It is estimated that Higgins earned (and spent) £3–4&nbsp;million in his career as a snooker player.<ref name="fortune">{{cite web |url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/10/fhead.htm |title = Cancer-stricken Higgins urged by friends to dodge cameras at funeral |newspaper= The Examiner |date = 10 October 1997 |access-date = 20 April 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070503051127/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/10/fhead.htm |archive-date = 3 May 2007 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Tel death 2"/>

==Playing style==
In describing the unconventional playing technique used by Higgins, his fellow professional Willie Thorne said that "He does everything wrong: his stance is square, he lifts his head, his arm's bent, he snatches at some of his shots." Thorne concluded that Higgins would be the worst example for an aspiring player to imitate.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=92}} His grip on the cue was less firm than typically employed by professional players.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=93}} Author Brendan Cooper wrote that "Beset with twitches, sniffs, and odd jerks of the limbs, Higgins would approach the table like a battered boxer trying to stay upright."{{sfn|Cooper|2023|p=25}}

Originally an out-and-out attacking player, Higgins developed his tactical game throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Cliff Thorburn praised his innovative positional play, citing him as one of the first players to "break out reds from potting the red, which is a very difficult thing to do."{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=92}} Williams and Gadsby wrote that as Higgins grew older, his "technical shortcomings became burdensome", and that he began to fail on more shots as his hand-eye co-ordination declined, but note that he maintained a world championship career lasting over two decades.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=93}} Writing for the ''[[Dictionary of Irish Biography]]'', James Quinn said that "His daredevil style thrilled audiences and inspired the kind of adulation and raucous cheering normally heard in football stadiums rather than snooker halls", but a lack of consistency and discipline meant that Higgins failed to achieve as much as his potential should have allowed.<ref name="DIB"/>

==Media appearances==
In the summer of 1972, Higgins was the subject of a half-hour Thames TV documentary, ''Hurricane Higgins''.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=63}} He partnered [[Kenny Lynch]] in ''Pro-Celebrity Snooker'' on [[ITV (network)|ITV]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yorkshire |newspaper=Evening Post |location=Nottingham |date=27 November 1978 |page=3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-post-pro-celebrity-snooker/163279780/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ATV |newspaper=The Birmingham Post |date=9 December 1978 |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-pro-celebrity-snooke/163280174/ |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120171711/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-pro-celebrity-snooke/163280174/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was a guest on ''[[A Question of Sport]]'' in 1980,<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC-1 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 January 1980 |page=27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-a-question-of-sport/163280490/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and on ''[[Give Us a Clue]]'' the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anglia |newspaper=Cambridge Evening News |date=29 September 1981 |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/cambridge-evening-news-give-us-a-clue/163280825/ |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=21 January 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121231334/https://www.newspapers.com/article/cambridge-evening-news-give-us-a-clue/163280825/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He appeared on the 1984 series ''International Pro Celebrity Golf'' on [[BBC2]], partnered with [[Greg Norman]] against Lynch and [[Tom Watson (golfer)|Tom Watson]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |date=26 February 1984 |page=4040|title=BBC 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-telegraph-pro-celebrity-golf/163281154/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Two video games were released for [[Amstrad]] computers in 1985, with his endorsement,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/19879/Alex-Higgins-World-Snooker/ |title=Alex Higgins' World Snooker |work=[[Centre for Computing History]] |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616120914/https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/19879/Alex-Higgins-World-Snooker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> titled ''[[Alex Higgins' World Snooker]]'' and ''Alex Higgins' World Pool''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spin-Off |magazine=Popular Computing Weekly |date=18 July 1985 |pages=44–45 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kendle |first=Tony |title=Pot Black |magazine=Popular Computing Weekly |date=1 August 1985 |page=9 }}</ref> He appeared with Howard Kruger on the chat show ''[[Wogan]]'' on 6&nbsp;April 1987, just minutes after being fined £12,000 and banned for five tournaments by the WPBSA; Higgins seemed relaxed and said that he accepted the sanctions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fighting talk from fallen star Higgins |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=7 April 1987 |page=30 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-fighting-talk-from-fallen/163283272/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He made another appearance on ''Wogan'' in 1991 to promote his video ''I'm No Angel''.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=285}}<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC1 Wales |newspaper=South Wales Echo |date=28 October 1991 |page=7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-echo-wogan/163283667/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In December 1997, he was featured in ''Alex Higgins: Rebel Without a Pause'', which was aired in the Northern Ireland region on [[BBC1]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC1 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 December 1997 |page=TR12 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-bbc1/174030589/ |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The ''[[Irish Independent]]'' reviewer Vincent Gribbin complained that the show was a "40&nbsp;minute paranoid rant" by Higgins.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gribbin |first=Vincent |title=TV Sport: Hurricane leaves us rightly snookered |newspaper=Irish Independent|date=27 December 1997 |page=S24 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-gribbin/174030773/ |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> According to ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'' reviewer John Preston, ''Like a Hurricane: The Alex Higgins Story'' (2001) on BBC2 portrayed Higgins as "a wildly emotional and hopelessly insecure man: vain, fragile, peaceable enough off booze, a terror on it."<ref name="JP2001">{{cite news |last=Preston |first=John |title=Television: No longer at one with his balls |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |date=22 April 2001 |page=R5 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-telegraph-nolonger/174032385/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The [[RTÉ One]] documentary ''Blood Sweat and Tears'' (2005) charted his career and featured positive remarks about him from Ray Reardon and Steve Davis, despite their past differences.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hogan |first=Vincent |title=Pining for the days when 'Hurricane' blew hardest |newspaper=Irish Independent|date=5 July 2005 |page=E18 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-pining/174035176/ |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> In July 2009, Higgins was a contestant in the Sporting Stars edition of the British television quiz ''[[The Weakest Link]]''.<ref name="link">{{cite web| url = http://www.global-snooker.com/GS-news-Alex-Higgins-220709.asp| title = Is Higgins the Weakest Link?| website = global-snooker.com | access-date = 7 August 2009| url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090724184343/http://www.global-snooker.com/GS-news-Alex-Higgins-220709.asp| archive-date = 24 July 2009}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Remembered for his turbulent lifestyle, Higgins was a heavy smoker,<ref name="force-of-nature">{{cite news |last=Foley |first=Michael |title=Hurricane was force of nature |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=25 July 2010 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/northern-ireland-travel/hurricane-was-force-of-nature-g7jl56sqqpz |access-date=4 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828211814/https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/northern-ireland-travel/hurricane-was-force-of-nature-g7jl56sqqpz |archive-date=28 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/benson_and_hedges_masters_2002/1764513.stm|title=Where Are They Now?|date=24 July 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 January 2002|archive-date=6 April 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030406120615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/benson_and_hedges_masters_2002/1764513.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> struggled with drinking and gambling,<ref name="inspiration" /><ref name="warning" /> and admitted to using cocaine and marijuana.<ref name="BBC obituary">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852042.stm |title=Obituary: Alex Higgins |date=24 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100726133930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852042.stm |archive-date= 26 July 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> He had tempestuous relationships with women—his two marriages both ended in divorce, and he had widely publicised altercations with other girlfriends.<ref name="HOTCOLD">{{Cite news |title=Alex Higgins: The women Hurricane blew hot and cold with |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-the-women-hurricane-blew-hot-and-cold-with/28548948.html |last=McGarrigle |first=Heather |date=27 July 2010 |access-date=6 March 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306130744/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-the-women-hurricane-blew-hot-and-cold-with/28548948.html}}</ref> He was known as an unpredictable, difficult, and volatile character.<ref>{{cite news|last=Marsden |first=Jean |title=Hurricane Higgins used to live in Cuffley |url=https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hurricane-higgins-used-live-cuffley/story-21983821-detail/story.html |work=Hertfordshire Mercury |date=30 July 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170502221155/http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hurricane-higgins-used-live-cuffley/story-21983821-detail/story.html |archive-date= 2 May 2017 |language=en |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=From the archive: Master tailor on cue for a Hurricane (Published: June 19th, 1982. Photograph by Peter Thursfield) |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/from-the-archive-master-tailor-on-cue-for-a-hurricane-1.2970966 |last=Wallace |first=Arminta |date=11 February 2017 |access-date=18 March 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |url-status=live |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318134319/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/from-the-archive-master-tailor-on-cue-for-a-hurricane-1.2970966}}</ref>

At the time of his 1972 triumph at the World Championship, Higgins revealed that he had no permanent address and had recently been living in a row of condemned houses in [[Blackburn]] that were awaiting demolition. In the space of one week, he had drifted between five different houses on the same street, moving on to the next one each time his current dwelling was demolished.{{sfn|Byrne|1990|p=228}}

He was twice married and had four children from three different relationships.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alex Higgins' best pal 'won't sugar coat' the snooker legend's wild life in new book|url=https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/other-sport/alex-higgins-best-pal-wont-sugar-coat-the-snooker-legends-wild-life-in-new-book/a99107265.html|date=9 November 2024|access-date=3 August 2025|work=Sunday World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108145318/https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/other-sport/alex-higgins-best-pal-wont-sugar-coat-the-snooker-legends-wild-life-in-new-book/a99107265.html |archive-date=8 January 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> He met Joyce Fox in 1971, and they had a son, Chris, in 1975.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Alex Higgins: The ignored children |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=September 2010 |page=7}}</ref> They separated six months later; in 2001, Fox told her son that Higgins was his father, and they reconnected in 2003.<ref name="DIB">{{cite journal|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/higgins-alexander-gordon-alex-hurricane-a9828|title=Higgins, Alexander Gordon ('Alex'; 'Hurricane')|first=James|last=Quinn|website=Dictionary of Irish Biography |year=2016 |publisher=Royal Irish Academy|access-date=12 May 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=23 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423071123/https://www.dib.ie/biography/higgins-alexander-gordon-alex-hurricane-a9828 |doi=10.3318/dib.009828.v1|url-access=subscription|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-secret-love-child-misses-funeral/28550224.html|title=Alex Higgins' secret love child misses funeral|last=Delahunty|first=Chris|date=2 August 2010|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512171432/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-secret-love-child-misses-funeral/28550224.html|archive-date=12 May 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 1975, Higgins married Australian Cara Hasler in [[Sydney]].{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=86}} They had a daughter, Christel, and their divorce was finalised in 1979.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=100}}<ref name="warning">{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/hurricane-warning-289867.html |title=Hurricane warning |website=Irish Independent |date=19 October 2002 |access-date=25 July 2010 |archive-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701113536/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/hurricane-warning-289867.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> He married Lynn Avison in [[Wilmslow]], Cheshire, in January 1980.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|p=84}} Their daughter, Lauren, was born in 1980, followed by son Jordan in 1983.<ref name="Clive Everton assessment" /><ref name="HOTCOLD"/> Higgins split from Lynn in 1985,<ref name="Tel turbulent">{{cite news| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/7908754/The-turbulent-life-and-times-of-Alex-Higgins.html| title = The turbulent life and times of Alex Higgins| work = The Daily Telegraph| location = London| date = 24 July 2010| access-date = 2 April 2018| archive-date = 7 November 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107073958/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/7908754/The-turbulent-life-and-times-of-Alex-Higgins.html| url-status = live}}</ref> and they divorced. That same year, he began a relationship with Siobhan Kidd, which ended in 1989 after he allegedly hit her with a hairdryer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/exclusive-alex-hurricane-higgins--last-interview-14888494.html |title=Exclusive: Alex Hurricane Higgins' last interview |last=Tinney |first=Aaron |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=26 July 2010 |access-date=27 July 2010 |archive-date=27 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727230359/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/exclusive-alex-hurricane-higgins--last-interview-14888494.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1990, he began a relationship with former [[call girl]] Holly Haise (a [[pseudonym]] of Laura Croucher, her real name). They split in August 1997 after Croucher stabbed Higgins three times during a domestic argument.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|pp=286–287}}<ref name="Tel turbulent"/>

Higgins had a long and enduring friendship with actor Oliver Reed,<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,803087,00.html| title = Eye of the Hurricane| work = The Observer| date = 6 October 2002| access-date = 7 August 2009| location = London| archive-date = 6 February 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090206235743/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,803087,00.html| url-status = live}}</ref> who appeared as a guest on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' when Higgins was the subject in 1981.<ref name="CARPET"/> Higgins met [[Marianne Faithfull]] during the 1980s and renewed his acquaintance with her in 1992, when they reportedly spent the night together in a Dublin hotel.{{sfn|Borrows|2002|page=289}}

Higgins helped a young boy from [[Manchester]], a fan of his who had been in a coma for two months, after his parents had written to him. He recorded messages on tape and sent them to the boy with his best wishes in 1983. He later visited the boy in hospital and played a snooker match that he had promised to have with him when he recovered.<ref name="force-of-nature" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Craig|first=Olga|title = Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies, aged 61|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908867/Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html|website = The Daily Telegraph| date=25 July 2010 |access-date = 23 January 2016|archive-date = 28 July 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100728072617/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908867/Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html|url-status = live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 1996, Higgins was convicted of assaulting a 14-year-old boy and was given a [[conditional discharge]]. He later described the case as "a farce which should not have been brought to court".<ref name="Tel death 2">{{cite news| url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/higgins-admits-assaulting-boy-1.57490| title=Higgins admits assaulting boy| newspaper=The Irish Times| date=11 June 1996| access-date=29 March 2022| archive-date=23 April 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423150932/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/higgins-admits-assaulting-boy-1.57490| url-status=live}}</ref> During his lifetime, Higgins was arrested 17 times.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=80}}

===Illness and death===
Higgins reportedly smoked 80 cigarettes a day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-love-hate-affair-with-tobacco-28548778.html|title=Alex Higgins' Love-Hate Affair with Tobacco|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=26 July 2010|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131084029/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-love-hate-affair-with-tobacco-28548778.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He had an operation on [[Oral cancer|cancerous]] growths on his [[palate]] in 1996.<ref name="FG">{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Alex Higgins: flawed genius |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=August 2010 |pages=4–7 }}</ref> He was found to have throat cancer in June 1998<ref name="FG"/> and underwent major surgery on 13{{nbsp}}October of that year.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker-another-fight-for-higgins-this-time-it's-for-his-life-1178594.html | title = Another fight for Higgins: this time it's for his life | work = The Independent | access-date = 24 July 2010 | location = London | first = Guy | last = Hodgson | date = 16 October 1998 | archive-date = 17 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201017204502/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker-another-fight-for-higgins-this-time-its-for-his-life-1178594.html | url-status = live }}</ref> He could only talk in a whisper in his last years.<ref name="belfasttelegraph.co.uk">{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-sad-lonely-demise-of-the-peoples-champion-28548785.html|title=Alex Higgins: Sad, lonely demise of the people's champion|last=Weir|first=Clare|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=26 July 2010|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122001053/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins/alex-higgins-sad-lonely-demise-of-the-peoples-champion-28548785.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Suffering from [[pneumonia]] and breathing problems,<ref name="BBC obituary"/> Higgins was admitted to hospital on 31{{nbsp}}March 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/01/alex-higgins-admitted-to-hospital |title=Alex Higgins admitted to hospital |date=1 April 2010 |website=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131084022/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/01/alex-higgins-admitted-to-hospital |url-status=live}}</ref> In April, his friends launched a campaign to help raise the £20,000 needed for him to have [[tooth implant]]s, to allow him to eat properly and gain weight. Higgins had lost his teeth as a result of the intensive [[radiotherapy]] used to treat his throat cancer. It was reported that since losing them, he had been living on liquid food and had become increasingly depressed, even contemplating suicide.<ref name=belf-tele-suicide>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-thought-about-suicide/28531815.html |title=Alex Higgins 'thought about suicide' |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=24 July 2010 |date=26 April 2010 |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516215351/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alex-higgins-thought-about-suicide/28531815.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was too ill and frail to have the implants fitted.<ref name="mourns">{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908679/Snooker-mourns-as-Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719202745/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908679/Snooker-mourns-as-Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html | url-status = live | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | title = Snooker mourns as Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies aged 61 | work = The Daily Telegraph | access-date = 24 July 2010 | location=London | first=Simon | last=Briggs | date=24 July 2010}}</ref> Despite his illness, Higgins continued to smoke cigarettes and drink heavily until the end of his life.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/snooker/2010/04/02/cancer-stricken-snooker-legend-alex-hurricane-higgins-fighting-for-life-after-contracting-pneumonia-86908-22156622/| title = Cancer-stricken snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins fighting for life after contracting pneumonia| work = Daily Record |location=Scotland| date = April 2010| access-date = 2 January 2011| archive-date = 8 May 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100508034741/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/snooker/2010/04/02/cancer-stricken-snooker-legend-alex-hurricane-higgins-fighting-for-life-after-contracting-pneumonia-86908-22156622/| url-status = live}}</ref> He was admitted to hospital again in May.<ref name="belfasttelegraph.co.uk"/>

By the summer of 2010, his weight had fallen to 6.5&nbsp;[[Stone (unit)|stone]] (41&nbsp;[[kilogram]]s).<ref name="Tel death 2"/> Despite his £4&nbsp;million career earnings, Higgins was now bankrupt and having to survive on a £200-a-week disability allowance.<ref name=belf-tele-suicide/> He was found dead in bed in his flat on 24{{nbsp}}July 2010, aged 61.<ref name="Tel death">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908601/Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html|title=Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies, aged 61|last=Boyle|first=Simon|date=24 July 2010|access-date=24 July 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100727042335/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7908601/Alex-Hurricane-Higgins-dies-aged-61.html| archive-date= 27 July 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="BBC death">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852020.stm |title=Snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins dies at 61 |access-date=24 July 2010 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250114111432/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852020.stm | archive-date= 14 January 2025 | url-status= live}}</ref> The cause of death was a combination of [[malnutrition]], pneumonia, tooth decay and a [[bronchial]] condition; his daughter Lauren stated that he was clear from throat cancer when he died.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tinney |first=Aaron |title=Video: Last footage of Alex Higgins shows cupboards stacked with food... But he couldn't eat a bite |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/video-last-footage-of-alex-higgins-shows-cupboards-stacked-with-foodbut-he-couldnrsquot-eat-a-bite-14920839.html |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-date=30 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830153728/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/video-last-footage-of-alex-higgins-shows-cupboards-stacked-with-foodbut-he-couldnrsquot-eat-a-bite-14920839.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Higgins's funeral service was held at [[St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast]], on 2{{nbsp}}August 2010. He was buried in [[Carnmoney]] Cemetery in [[Newtownabbey]], County Antrim. Among the snooker professionals in attendance were Jimmy White, Willie Thorne, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, [[Joe Swail]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/aug/02/alex-higgins-funeral-snooker-belfast |title=Alex Higgins Funeral: Tributes to snooker legend with 'heart of a lion' |first=Henry |last=McDonald |website=The Guardian |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=29 July 2016 |archive-date=26 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826012641/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/aug/02/alex-higgins-funeral-snooker-belfast |url-status=live}}</ref> Shaun Murphy and John Virgo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-10841145|title=Funeral reflects flamboyant life of 'Hurricane' Higgins|work=BBC News|last=McKee|first=Ross|date=2 August 2010|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519133203/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-10841145|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:IMG 088 i 088.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Mural of Higgins at the Royal Bar, Belfast]]
On account of his exciting playing style and explosive persona,{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=80}} Higgins is remembered as one of the most iconic figures in snooker's history.<ref name="BBCTRIB">{{cite news |title=Tributes paid to snooker legend Alex Higgins |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852076.stm |date=24 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726232917/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8852076.stm |archive-date=26 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nicknamed "Hurricane Higgins" for his rapid play,<ref name="BBC obituary"/> and known as the "People's Champion" for his popularity and charisma,<ref name="Nickname">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/sports/01higgins.html|title=Alex Higgins, the bombastic 'people's champion' of pro snooker, dies at 61|date=31 July 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 August 2010 | first=Bruce | last=Weber| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141019082126/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/sports/01higgins.html| archive-date=19 October 2014| url-status= live}}</ref> he is often credited as being a key figure in the success of snooker as a mainstream televised sport in the 1980s.<ref name="inspiration">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/25/alex-higgins-funeral |title=Snooker's Elite Pay Tribute to the Inspiration of Alex Higgins |date=24 July 2010 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=24 July 2010 |location=London |first=Bill |last=Neenan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729005216/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jul/25/alex-higgins-funeral |archive-date=29 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Journalist [[Donald Trelford]] wrote in 1986 that "it was undoubtedly Higgins who first brought the money into snooker after his dramatic victory in 1972 and all the attendant publicity."{{sfn|Trelford|1986|p=93}}

In Steve Davis's ''Interesting: My Autobiography'' (2015), he wrote that Higgins as a player was "a true genius. Perhaps only Ronnie O'Sullivan has achieved that same style of mercurial ability since."{{sfn|Davis|2016|p=96}} Higgins arguably fulfilled his potential only intermittently during the peak of his career in the 1970s and 1980s; the snooker journalist and historian [[Clive Everton]] put this down to Davis and Ray Reardon both being too consistent for him.<ref name="Clive Everton assessment">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/25/alex-higgins-dies-aged-61 |title=Alex Higgins, snooker's anti-Hero, dies aged 61 |website=The Guardian |access-date = 2 January 2011 |location=London |first=Clive |last=Everton |date=25 July 2010 |archive-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311213408/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/25/alex-higgins-dies-aged-61 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] has called Higgins "the greatest snooker player I have ever seen" when he was playing at his best, while also acknowledging that his erratic lifestyle caused a lack of consistency on the table.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 October 2021|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan identifies 'probably the greatest snooker player I've ever seen when he was at his best'|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2021-2022/ronnie-o-sullivan-identifies-probably-the-greatest-snooker-player-i-ve-ever-seen-when-he-was-at-his-_sto8586558/story.shtml|access-date=20 October 2021|website=Eurosport UK|language=en|last=Quarrell|first=Dan|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016171542/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2021-2022/ronnie-o-sullivan-identifies-probably-the-greatest-snooker-player-i-ve-ever-seen-when-he-was-at-his-_sto8586558/story.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Reardon wrote in 1986 that "Unlike Steve Davis, Alex has a natural snooker brain. He sees situations and knows what to do in a flash. We can all see it eventually but he spots it immediately. Reverse side, screw, deep screw ... he created a lot of the modern play that you see today."{{sfn|Reardon|Hennessey|1986|p=90}} Similarly, John Spencer wrote that "Alex probably had the quickest snooker brain in the game."{{sfn|Spencer|2005|p=110}} As of 2023, he is one of only eleven players to have completed the "[[Triple Crown (snooker)|Triple Crown]]" of winning the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters.<ref>{{cite news |agency=PA Sport |title=A look at Ronnie O'Sullivan's record as oldest and youngest UK champion |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/other-sport/a-look-at-ronnie-osullivans-record-as-oldest-and-youngest-uk-champion-4433143 |date=4 December 2023 |newspaper=Belfast Newsletter |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609125153/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/other-sport/a-look-at-ronnie-osullivans-record-as-oldest-and-youngest-uk-champion-4433143 |archive-date=9 June 2025}}</ref> However, both Davis and Reardon felt that the number of titles won by Higgins was low, considering his sizeable talent.{{sfn|Davis|2016|pages=204–205}}{{sfn|Reardon|Hennessey|1986|p=89}}

In 2011, Event 8 of the [[Players Tour Championship]] was renamed the [[Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 – Event 8|'Alex Higgins International Trophy']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trophyroom.co.uk/alexhigginstrophy.html|title=Snooker – Alex Higgins International Trophy|website=trophyroom.co.uk|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804223858/https://www.trophyroom.co.uk/alexhigginstrophy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, Higgins was one of the eight players added to the [[World Snooker Tour]] Hall of Fame in its inaugural year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Higgins voted player of the year |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2354226,00.html |website=World Snooker| date=7 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511191326/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2354226,00.html|archive-date=11 May 2011}}</ref> In 2016, [[WPBSA]] chairman [[Barry Hearn]] announced that the trophy for the new [[Northern Ireland Open (snooker)|Northern Ireland Open]] tournament would be named after Higgins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/northern-ireland-open-trophy-to-be-named-after-alex-higgins/|title=Northern Ireland Open trophy to be named after Alex Higgins|date=27 September 2016|website=World Snooker|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301121706/https://wst.tv/northern-ireland-open-trophy-to-be-named-after-alex-higgins/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37487430|title=Alex Higgins: NI Trophy named after two-time world champion|work=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2016|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410210652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37487430|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Richard Dormer]] wrote and directed a one-person play based on the career of Alex Higgins, titled ''Hurricane'' (2004).<ref name="DORHUR">{{cite news |title=Hurricane, the story of Alex Higgins, back in Belfast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12136440 |website=BBC News |date=8 January 2011 |access-date=8 January 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405192715/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12136440 |archive-date=5 April 2023}}</ref> Following performances at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]], for which Dormer won [[Stage Awards for Acting Excellence|''The Stage'' Edinburgh Fringe Best Actor award]], the production transferred to the [[West End theatre|West End]] and then toured the UK.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=94}}<ref name="DORHUR"/> The professional rivalry between Higgins and Davis was portrayed in a 2016 BBC feature film titled ''[[The Rack Pack]]'', in which Higgins was played by [[Luke Treadaway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/12103606/the-rack-pack.html|title=The Rack Pack: How Britain fell in love with snooker|date=17 January 2016|website=The Telegraph|last=Armstrong|first=Neil|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=26 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526184429/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/12103606/the-rack-pack.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Performance and rankings timeline==
<div style="width:auto; overflow:scroll">
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%"
|+Ranking history
! width=240 |Season
! [[1971–72 snooker season|1971/<br/>72]]
! [[1972–73 snooker season|1972/<br/>73]]
! [[1973–74 snooker season|1973/<br/>74]]
! [[1974–75 snooker season|1974/<br/>75]]
! [[1975–76 snooker season|1975/<br/>76]]
! [[1976–77 snooker season|1976/<br/>77]]
! [[1977–78 snooker season|1977/<br/>78]]
! [[1978–79 snooker season|1978/<br/>79]]
! [[1979–80 snooker season|1979/<br/>80]]
! [[1980–81 snooker season|1980/<br/>81]]
! [[1981–82 snooker season|1981/<br/>82]]
! [[1982–83 snooker season|1982/<br/>83]]
! [[1983–84 snooker season|1983/<br/>84]]
! [[1984–85 snooker season|1984/<br/>85]]
! [[1985–86 snooker season|1985/<br/>86]]
! [[1986–87 snooker season|1986/<br/>87]] 
! [[1987–88 snooker season|1987/<br/>88]] 
! [[1988–89 snooker season|1988/<br/>89]] 
! [[1989–90 snooker season|1989/<br/>90]] 
! [[1990–91 snooker season|1990/<br/>91]]
! [[1991–92 snooker season|1991/<br/>92]]
! [[1992–93 snooker season|1992/<br/>93]]
! [[1993–94 snooker season|1993/<br/>94]]
! [[1994–95 snooker season|1994/<br/>95]]
! [[1995–96 snooker season|1995/<br/>96]]
! [[1996–97 snooker season|1996/<br/>97]]
! [[1997–98 snooker season|1997/<br/>98]]
! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Snooker world rankings|Ranking]]
| align="center" colspan="5" style="color:#000000;"|No ranking system
| align="center" |[[1976–77 snooker world rankings|2]]
| align="center" |[[1977–78 snooker world rankings|5]]
| align="center" |[[1978–79 snooker world rankings|7]]
| align="center" |[[1979–80 snooker world rankings|11]]
| align="center" |[[1980–81 snooker world rankings|4]]
| align="center" |[[1981–82 snooker world rankings|11]]
| align="center" |[[1982–83 snooker world rankings|2]]
| align="center" |[[1983–84 snooker world rankings|5]]
| align="center" |[[1984–85 snooker world rankings|9]]
| align="center" |[[1985–86 snooker world rankings|9]]
| align="center" |[[1986–87 snooker world rankings|6]]
| align="center" |[[1987–88 snooker world rankings|9]]
| align="center" |[[1988–89 snooker world rankings|17]]
| align="center" |[[1989–90 snooker world rankings|24]]
| align="center" |[[1990–91 snooker world rankings|97]]
| align="center" |[[1991–92 snooker world rankings|120]]
| align="center" |[[1992–93 snooker world rankings|72]]
| align="center" |[[1993–94 snooker world rankings|61]]
| align="center" |[[1994–95 snooker world rankings|48]]
| align="center" |[[1995–96 snooker world rankings|51]]
| align="center" |[[1996–97 snooker world rankings|99]]
| align="center" |[[1997–98 snooker world rankings|156]]
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|title=Ranking history|url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/history.asp|website=snooker.org|access-date=7 November 2017|archive-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219070820/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/history.asp|url-status=live}}<br/>{{cite magazine |title=Official world rankings 1991–92 |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=June 1992 |pages=24–25 }}<br/>{{cite magazine |title=Official world rankings |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=June 1994 |pages=18–20 }}<br/>{{cite magazine |title=WPBSA world rankings |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=June 1997 |pages=28–30 }}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%"
|+Ranking tournaments
! width=240 | Tournament
! [[1971–72 snooker season|1971/<br/>72]]
! [[1972–73 snooker season|1972/<br/>73]]
! [[1973–74 snooker season|1973/<br/>74]]
! [[1974–75 snooker season|1974/<br/>75]]
! [[1975–76 snooker season|1975/<br/>76]]
! [[1976–77 snooker season|1976/<br/>77]]
! colspan="2" | [[1977–78 snooker season|1977/<br/>78]]
! [[1978–79 snooker season|1978/<br/>79]]
! [[1979–80 snooker season|1979/<br/>80]]
! [[1980–81 snooker season|1980/<br/>81]]
! [[1981–82 snooker season|1981/<br/>82]]
! [[1982–83 snooker season|1982/<br/>83]]
! [[1983–84 snooker season|1983/<br/>84]]
! [[1984–85 snooker season|1984/<br/>85]]
! [[1985–86 snooker season|1985/<br/>86]]
! [[1986–87 snooker season|1986/<br/>87]] 
! [[1987–88 snooker season|1987/<br/>88]] 
! [[1988–89 snooker season|1988/<br/>89]] 
! [[1989–90 snooker season|1989/<br/>90]] 
! [[1990–91 snooker season|1990/<br/>91]]
! [[1991–92 snooker season|1991/<br/>92]]
! [[1992–93 snooker season|1992/<br/>93]]
! [[1993–94 snooker season|1993/<br/>94]]
! [[1994–95 snooker season|1994/<br/>95]]
! [[1995–96 snooker season|1995/<br/>96]]
! [[1996–97 snooker season|1996/<br/>97]]
! [[1997–98 snooker season|1997/<br/>98]]
! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Australian Goldfields Open|Hong Kong Open]]{{efn|name="AUS"|The event was called the Australian Masters (to 1987), Hong Kong Open (1989/1990) and Australian Open (1994/1995).<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Australian Masters|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AustMas.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930185746/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AustMas.html|archive-date=30 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris |title=Other Asia ranking events |website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive  |access-date=14 June 2011 |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Asia.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724175039/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Asia.html| archive-date= 24 July 2011 }}</ref>}} (Ranking from 1989)
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1982 Australian Masters|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1983 Australian Masters|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 Australian Masters|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1987 Australian Masters|SF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 Hong Kong Open|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="5"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NR
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NR
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lowe |first=Ted |title=Ted Lowe reports on Australia's Winfield Masters |magazine=Cue World |publisher=Transworld Snooker |location=Sheffield |date=September 1982 |pages=9–10}}<br/>{{cite magazine |date=August 1987 |title=For the record |magazine=Pot Black |location=Westcliff-on-Sea |publisher=Pot Black Publishing |page=11}}</ref>{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Open (snooker)|Grand Prix]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="12"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1982 Professional Players Tournament|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 Professional Players Tournament|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 Grand Prix (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 Grand Prix (snooker)|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 Grand Prix (snooker)|3R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1988 Grand Prix (snooker)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 Grand Prix (snooker)|2R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1993 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Canadian Masters (snooker)|Canadian Masters]]{{efn|The event was also called the Canadian Open (1974/1975–1980/1981)<ref name="CANMAST">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/canmast.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155138/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/canmast.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|title=Canadian Masters|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive}}</ref>}} (Ranking in 1989)
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="3"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1974 Canadian Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1975 Canadian Open|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1976 Canadian Open|F]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1977 Canadian Open|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1978 Canadian Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1979 Canadian Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1980 Canadian Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1986 Canadian Masters|SF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}<ref name="CANMAST"/>
|-
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Asian Classic]]]{{efn|The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Dubai Classic (1989/90–1994/1995) and Thailand Classic (1995/1996).<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Dubai Classic, Dubai Masters, Bahrain Snooker Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mideast.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107153823/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mideast.html|archive-date=7 January 2012 |website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive }}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="18"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NR
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1989 Dubai Classic|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1991 Dubai Classic|3R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[European Open (snooker)|European Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="18"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 European Open (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1990 European Open (snooker)|2R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1993 European Open (1992/1993)|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[UK Championship]] (Ranking from 1984)
| style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="6"|Not Held
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1977 UK Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;" |[[1978 UK Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1979 UK Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1980 UK Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1981 UK Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1982 UK Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1983 UK Championship|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1984 UK Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 UK Championship|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;" |[[1986 UK Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1987 UK Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1988 UK Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 UK Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1991 UK Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1992 UK Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1993 UK Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1994 UK Championship|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}<ref name="CTHR">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Historical world rankings 1975/76 to 1989/90|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/HistoricRank1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608214119/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/HistoricRank1.html|archive-date=8 June 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[German Masters|German Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="25"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="21"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Scottish Open (snooker)|International Open]]{{efn|The event was also called the Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986).<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=International Open, Goya Matchroom Trophy|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/int.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155037/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/int.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive}}</ref>}} (Ranking from 1982)
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="11"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1981 International Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1982 International Open|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 International Open|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1984 International Open|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 Matchroom Trophy|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 International Open|2R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1988 International Open|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 International Open|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="2"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1994 International Open|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}{{snf|Morrison|1987|p=107}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Strachan Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="21"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|MR
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NR
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Thailand Masters|Thailand Open]]{{efn|The event was also called the Thailand Masters (1983/1984–1986/1987 & 1991/1992) and the Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993)<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Thailand Open, Thailand Classic, Thailand Masters|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Thai.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155548/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Thai.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="13"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="2"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 Asian Open|2R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Classic (snooker)|Classic]] (Ranking from 1985)
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1980 Classic (1979/1980)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1980 Classic (1980/1981)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1982 Classic (snooker)|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 Classic (snooker)|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 Classic (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 Classic (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1986 Classic (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1987 Classic (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1988 Classic (snooker)|3R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 Classic (snooker)|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1990 Classic (snooker)|2R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="6"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}<ref>{{cite web |title=1980 Mercantile Credit Classic results |url=http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=359 |website=Snooker Database |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729184705/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=359 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[British Open (snooker)|British Open]]{{efn|The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984).<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=British Open including British Gold Cup, Yamaha Organs Trophy and Yamaha International Masters|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/brit.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155129/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/brit.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive}}</ref>}} (Ranking from 1985)
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1980 British Gold Cup|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1981 Yamaha Organs Trophy|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1982 International Masters|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 International Masters|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 International Masters|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1985 British Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1986 British Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1987 British Open|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1988 British Open|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 British Open|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1990 British Open|F]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1993 British Open|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1995 British Open|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|LQ
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=World rankings and how they earned them |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |pages=4–5 |date=July 1985 }}</ref>

|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] (Ranking from 1974)
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1972 World Snooker Championship|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1973 World Snooker Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1974 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1975 World Snooker Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1976 World Snooker Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1977 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1978 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1979 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1980 World Snooker Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1981 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1982 World Snooker Championship|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1983 World Snooker Championship|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1985 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1987 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1988 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1990 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1994 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|WD
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=107}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%"
|+Non-ranking tournaments
! width=240 | Tournament
! [[1971–72 snooker season|1971/<br/>72]]
! [[1972–73 snooker season|1972/<br/>73]]
! [[1973–74 snooker season|1973/<br/>74]]
! [[1974–75 snooker season|1974/<br/>75]]
! [[1975–76 snooker season|1975/<br/>76]]
! [[1976–77 snooker season|1976/<br/>77]]
! colspan="2" | [[1977–78 snooker season|1977/<br/>78]]
! [[1978–79 snooker season|1978/<br/>79]]
! [[1979–80 snooker season|1979/<br/>80]]
! [[1980–81 snooker season|1980/<br/>81]]
! [[1981–82 snooker season|1981/<br/>82]]
! [[1982–83 snooker season|1982/<br/>83]]
! [[1983–84 snooker season|1983/<br/>84]]
! [[1984–85 snooker season|1984/<br/>85]]
! [[1985–86 snooker season|1985/<br/>86]]
! [[1986–87 snooker season|1986/<br/>87]] 
! [[1987–88 snooker season|1987/<br/>88]] 
! [[1988–89 snooker season|1988/<br/>89]] 
! [[1989–90 snooker season|1989/<br/>90]] 
! [[1990–91 snooker season|1990/<br/>91]]
! [[1991–92 snooker season|1991/<br/>92]]
! [[1992–93 snooker season|1992/<br/>93]]
! [[1993–94 snooker season|1993/<br/>94]]
! [[1994–95 snooker season|1994/<br/>95]]
! [[1995–96 snooker season|1995/<br/>96]]
! [[1996–97 snooker season|1996/<br/>97]]
! [[1997–98 snooker season|1997/<br/>98]]
! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Park Drive 2000|Park Drive 2000 (Spring)]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[Park Drive 2000#1972 (Spring)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="27"|Not Held
| align="center" |{{sfn|Everton|1981a|page=90}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Park Drive 2000|Park Drive 2000 (Autumn)]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[Park Drive 2000#1972 (Autumn)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="26"|Not Held
| align="center" |{{sfn|Everton|1981a|page=90}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Men of the Midlands]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1972 Men of the Midlands|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1973 Men of the Midlands|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="26"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref name="MOMT"/>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Norwich Union Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="2"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1973 Norwich Union Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1974 Norwich Union Open|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="24"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1974 Watney Open|Watney Open]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="3"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1974 Watney Open|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="24"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Scottish Masters]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="11"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1981 Scottish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1982 Scottish Masters|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1983 Scottish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1984 Scottish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1985 Scottish Masters|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1986 Scottish Masters|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1987 Scottish Masters|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]]
| align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#000000;"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1975 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1976 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1977 Masters (snooker)|SF]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1978 Masters (snooker)|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1979 Masters (snooker)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1980 Masters (snooker)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1981 Masters (snooker)|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1982 Masters (snooker)|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1984 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1985 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1987 Masters (snooker)|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1988 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1990 Masters (snooker)|WR]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|LQ
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Irish Masters]]{{efn|The event was also called the Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament (1974/1975–1976/1977).<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Irish Masters|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishmast.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155735/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishmast.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="3"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[Irish Masters#Early events|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1976 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1977 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament|'''W''']]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1978 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1979 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1980 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1981 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1982 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1983 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1984 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1985 Irish Masters|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 Irish Masters|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1987 Irish Masters|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1988 Irish Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1989 Irish Masters|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1990 Irish Masters|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1992 Irish Masters|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Premier League Snooker|European League]]{{efn|The event was also called the Professional Snooker League (1983/1984), Matchroom League (1986/1987 to 1991/1992), and Premier League (1997/98)/<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris|title=Premier/Matchroom League, Matchroom Championship League|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216154905/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|archive-date=16 February 2012 |website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive }}</ref>}}
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 Professional Snooker League|RR]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; color:#000000;"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1989 Matchroom League|RR]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Pontins Professional]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="2"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1978 Pontins Professional|RR]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1982 Pontins Professional|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1976 Canadian Club Masters|Canadian Club Masters]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1976 Canadian Club Masters|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="23"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref name="CANCLUB">{{cite magazine |title=Higgins beats Reardon to win Canadian Club Masters |magazine=Snooker Scene |date=July 1976 |publisher=Everton's News Agency |pages=16–17}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Professional Match-play Championship|World Matchplay Championship]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="5"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1976 World Professional Match-play Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="22"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup|Dry Blackthorn Cup]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="6"|Not Held
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup|F]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="20"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Fagan wins Dry Blackthorn Cup |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=February 1978 |page=5}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1979 Holsten Lager International|Holsten Lager International]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1979 Holsten Lager International|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="19"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spencer first in Holsten Lager International|magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=February 1979 |pages=12–15}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1979 Forward Chemicals Tournament|Forward Chemicals Tournament]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1979 Forward Chemicals Tournament|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="19"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|p=147}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1980 Padmore Super Crystalate International|Padmore Super Crystalate]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1980 Padmore Super Crystalate International|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="18"| Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite web |title=1980 Padmore Super Crystalate International results grid |url=http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResultGrid.aspx?EventKey=730 |website=Snooker Database |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124440/http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResultGrid.aspx?EventKey=730 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1980 Pontins Camber Sands|Pontins Camber Sands]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1980 Pontins Camber Sands|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="18"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref name="Revenge Win for Higgins">{{cite magazine |title=Revenge win for Higgins |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=July 1980 |page=10}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Champion of Champions (snooker)|Champion of Champions]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1978 Champion of Champions|F]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1980 Champion of Champions|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="17"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Northern Ireland Classic]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="11"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1981 Northern Ireland Classic|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="16"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1982 Highland Masters|Highland Masters]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="11"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1982 Highland Masters|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="16"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Tolly Cobbold Classic]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1979 Tolly Cobbold Classic|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1980 Tolly Cobbold Classic|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1981 Tolly Cobbold Classic|SF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1983 Tolly Cobbold Classic|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="14"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | {{nowrap|[[1985 Kit Kat Break for World Champions|KitKat Break for World Champions]]}}
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="15"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1985 Kit Kat Break for World Champions|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="12"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Pot Black]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1973 Pot Black|RR]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1978 Pot Black|RR]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1981 Pot Black|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1982 Pot Black|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1983 Pot Black|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1984 Pot Black|1R]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1986 Pot Black|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="6"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="3"|Not Held
| align="center" |{{sfn|Perrin|1980|pages=65–67}}<ref>{{cite web |title=1978 Pot Black results |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=470 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105010540/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=470 |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite web |title=1981 Pot Black results |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=805 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809161258/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=805 |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite web |title=1982 Pot Black results |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=806 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105010626/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=806 |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite web |title=1983 Pot Black Results |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=807 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809161256/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=807 |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite web |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=808 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |title=1984 Pot Black results |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720205407/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=808 |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite web |url=https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=472 |website=snookerdatabase.co.uk |title=1986 Pot Black results |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105010541/https://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=472 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1986 Belgian Classic|Belgian Classic]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="15"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1986 Belgian Classic|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="12"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Fosters Professional|Carlsberg Challenge]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="14"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1984 Carlsberg Challenge|SF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1985 Carlsberg Challenge|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|[[1986 Carlsberg Challenge|SF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="9"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Kent Cup (snooker)|Kent Cup]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="16"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1988 Kent Cup|QF]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="5"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Parrott shows Chinese snooker |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=May 1988 |page=17}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1989 Hong Kong Gold Cup|Hong Kong Gold Cup]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="19"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1989 Hong Kong Gold Cup|F]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref name="For the record: snooker">{{cite news| title=For the record: snooker |work=The Times |location=London |date=4 September 1989 |page=39}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[1990 International League|International League]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="19"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1990 International League|RR]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="8"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tony Meo wins Matchroom International League |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=July 1990 |page=34}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | {{nowrap|[[World Seniors Championship]]}}
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="21"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;"|[[1991 World Seniors Championship|1R]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="6"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite magazine  |title=How Cliff Wilson became king of the golden oldies |magazine=Snooker Scene |pages=17–19 |publisher=Everton's News Agency |issue=November 1991}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | {{nowrap|[[Irish Professional Championship]]}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|'''W'''
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="5"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|'''W'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|'''W'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|'''W'''
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|F
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1982 Irish Professional Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1983 Irish Professional Championship|'''W''']]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|NH
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1985 Irish Professional Championship|F]]
| style="text-align:center; background:thistle;"|[[1986 Irish Professional Championship|F]]
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|WD
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1988 Irish Professional Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f0;"|[[1989 Irish Professional Championship|'''W''']]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="2"|Not Held
| align="center" style="color:#000000;"|A
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[1993 Irish Professional Championship|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="5"|Not Held
| align="center" | {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Tenball]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="24"|Not Held
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;"|[[Tenball|QF]]
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="3"|Not Held
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite AV media| year=1995| title=Tenball | type=Videotape | publisher=Telstar |time=39:14}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:78%;"
! colspan="6"|Performance Table Legend
|-
| align="center" style="color:#000000;" width="30"|LQ
| lost in the qualifying draw
| align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|#R
| lost in the early rounds of the tournament<br />(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)
| align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF
| lost in the quarter-finals
|-
| align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF
| lost in the semi-finals
| align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|F
| lost in the final
| align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''W'''
| won the tournament
|-
| align="center" style="color:#000000;" width="30"|DNQ
| did not qualify for the tournament
| align="center" style="color:#000000;" width="30"|A
| did not participate in the tournament
| align="center" style="color:#000000;" width="30"|WD
| withdrew from the tournament
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|NH / Not Held || means an event was not held.
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|NR / Non-Ranking Event || means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|R / Ranking Event || means an event is/was a ranking event.
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#000000;" colspan="4"|MR / Minor ranking Event || means an event was a minor ranking event.
|}
</div>

==Career finals==

===Ranking finals: 6 (1 title)===

{| class="wikitable"
! Legend
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| World Championship (1–2){{efn|The World Championship first became a ranking event in 1974.}}
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| UK Championship (0–1){{efn|The UK Championship first became a ranking event in 1984.}}
|- bgcolor=
| Other (0–2)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Ranking finals contested by Alex Higgins{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
!Scope="col"| Outcome
!Scope="col"|No.
!Scope="col"|Year
!Scope="col"|Championship
!Scope="col"|Opponent in the final
!Scope="col"|Score
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| [[1976 World Snooker Championship|1976]]
| [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|16–27
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[1980 World Snooker Championship|1980]]
| [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Thorburn, Cliff" | {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| align="center"|16–18
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[1982 World Snooker Championship|1982]]
| [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|18–15
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[1984 UK Championship|1984]]
| [[UK Championship]] <small>(3)</small>
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|8–16
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 4.
| [[1988 Grand Prix (snooker)|1988]]
| [[Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]]
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|6–10
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 5.
| [[1990 British Open|1990]]
| [[British Open (snooker)|British Open]]
| data-sort-value="Chaperon, Bob" | {{flagathlete|[[Bob Chaperon]]|CAN}}
| align="center"|8–10
|}

===Non-ranking finals: 63 (33 titles)===

{| class="wikitable"
! Legend
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| World Championship (1–0){{efn|The World Championship was a non-ranking event until 1973.}}
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| UK Championship (1–2){{efn|The UK Championship was a non-ranking event until 1983.}}
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| The Masters (2–3)
|-
| Other (29–23)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Non-ranking finals contested by Alex Higgins
!scope="col"|Outcome
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Championship
!scope="col"|Opponent in the final
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col" class=unsortable |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[1972 Men of the Midlands|1972]]
| [[Men of the Midlands]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|04–02|4–2}}
| align="center"|<ref name="MOMT">{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris|title=Men of the Midlands|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/misc1.html#MoM|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216160510/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/misc1.html#MoM |access-date=31 October 2020|archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| 1972
| Castle Professional
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|Round–Robin
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins wins at the Castle |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=April 1972 |page=16 }}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| 1972
| Willie Smith Trophy
| data-sort-value="Dunning, John" | {{flagathlete|[[John Dunning (snooker player)|John Dunning]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|25–13|25–13}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Alex Higgins retains the Willie Smith Trophy |magazine=World Snooker |date=July 1972 |page=1}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| 1972
| [[Irish Professional Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Rea, Jackie" | {{flagathlete|[[Jackie Rea]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|{{sort|28–12|28–12}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Charlton has shown he is a very fine player |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=15 January 1972 |page=21 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancashire-telegraph-charlton-has-shown/161466950/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 5.
| [[1972 World Snooker Championship|1972]]
| [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|37–31|37–31}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Alex Higgins triumphs against odds |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 February 1972 |page=23 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-alex-higgins-triumph/161467031/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{efn|name="72FINAL"}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 6.
| 1972
| [[Stratford Professional]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|06–03|6–3}}
| align="center"|<ref name="SP72">{{cite news|title='Hurricane' again beats Spencer|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19720909/158/0014|work=Coventry Evening Telegraph|date=9 September 1972|page=14|access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| [[Park Drive 2000#1972 (Spring)|1972]]
| [[Park Drive 2000|Park Drive 2000 – Spring]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|03–04|3–4}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Everton|1981a|page=90}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[Park Drive 2000#1972 (Autumn)|1972]]
| [[Park Drive 2000|Park Drive 2000 – Autumn]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|03–05|3–5}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Everton|1981a|page=90}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[1972 Marrickville Professional|1972]]
| [[1972 Marrickville Professional|Marrickville Professional]]
| data-sort-value="Charlton, Eddie" | {{flagathlete|[[Eddie Charlton]]|AUS}}
| align="center"|{{sort|17–19|17–19}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=31 August 1972 |page=19 |title=Charlton takes snooker match |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-charlton-takes/144124426/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 7.
| [[1972 Ford Series Tournament|1972]]
| [[1972 Ford Series Tournament|Ford Series Tournament]]
| data-sort-value="Pulman, John" | {{flagathlete|[[John Pulman]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|04–02|4–2}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins in top gear at Ford Tournament |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=February 1973 |page=9}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 4.
| 1972
| Ryde Tournament
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|01–04|1–4}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Player surprised at low attendance |newspaper=Isle of Wight County Press |date=23 December 1972 |page=21 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/isle-of-wight-county-press-player-surpri/161467254/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 8.
| [[1973 Men of the Midlands|1973]]
| [[Men of the Midlands]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–03|5–3}}
| align="center"|<ref name="MOMT"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 5.
| 1973
| Castle Professional – Event 1
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|Round–Robin
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Castle winner |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=April 1973 |pages=12–13 }}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 9.
| 1973
| Castle Professional – Event 2
| data-sort-value="Pulman, John" | {{flagathlete|[[John Pulman]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|Round–Robin
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins wins |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=October 1973 |pages=12–13 }}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 10.
| 1974
| [[Watney Open]]
| data-sort-value="Davis, Fred" | {{flagathlete|[[Fred Davis (snooker player)|Fred Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|17–11|17–11}}
| align="center"| {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 11.
| 1974
| Castle Professional
| data-sort-value="Pulman, John" | {{flagathlete|[[John Pulman]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|Round–Robin
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best of three |magazine=Snooker Scene  |publisher=Everton's News Agency|date=January 1974 |page=18 }}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 12.
| 1974
| Ladywood Professional
| data-sort-value="Miles, Graham" | {{flagathlete|[[Graham Miles]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|06–04|6–4}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Portsmouth tournament |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=November 1974 |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins wins at Southsea |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=January 1975 |page=19}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 6.
| 1974
| Jackpot Automatics
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|00–05|0–5}}
| align="center"|<ref name="JACKPOT">{{cite magazine |title=Spencer hits the jackpot|magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=December 1974 |page=20}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 7.
| 1975
| Ashton Court Country Club Event
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|01–05|1–5}}
| align="center"|<ref name="ASHTON">{{cite magazine |title=King John reigns at Ashton Court |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=May 1975|page=5}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 13.
| 1975
| [[Canadian Open (snooker)|Canadian Open]]
| data-sort-value="Pulman, John" | {{flagathlete|[[John Pulman]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|15–07|15–7}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=20}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 14.
| 1975
| Suffolk Invitation
| data-sort-value="Miles, Graham" | {{flagathlete|[[Graham Miles]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–01|5–1}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins wins Suffolk event |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=May 1975 |page=14}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 15.
| 1975
| Marton Hotel and Country Club Professional
| data-sort-value="Taylor, David" | {{flagathlete|[[David Taylor (snooker player)|David Taylor]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|06–05|6–5}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Middlesbrough in May |magazine=Snooker Scene  |publisher=Everton's News Agency|date=April 1975 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Middlesbrough money |magazine=Snooker Scene |date=July 1975 |publisher=Everton's News Agency |page=18}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;|Runner-up 
| 8.
| [[Irish Masters#Early events|1975]]
| {{nowrap|[[Irish Masters|Benson & Hedges Challenge]]}}
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|7–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Irish Masters">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Irish Masters|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishmast.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155735/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/irishmast.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=18 November 2010}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 16.
| [[1976 Canadian Club Masters|1976]]
| [[1976 Canadian Club Masters|Canadian Club Masters]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|06–04|6–4}}
| align="center"|<ref name="CANCLUB"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 9.
| 1976
| [[Canadian Open (snooker)|Canadian Open]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|09–17|9–17}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=20}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up 
| 10.
| [[1976 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament|1976]]
| {{nowrap|[[Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament]] <small>(2)</small>}}
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|0–5
| align="center"|<ref name="Irish Masters"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 17.
| 1976
| Tony's Club Tournament<!--actual tournament name not given in source-->
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|04–01|4–1}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Higgins again |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |date=February 1976 |page=23}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 18.
| 1977
| [[Canadian Open (snooker)|Canadian Open]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|17–14|17–14}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=20}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 11.
| [[1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup|1977]]
| [[1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup|Dry Blackthorn Cup]]
| data-sort-value="Fagan, Patsy" |{{flagathlete|[[Patsy Fagan]]|IRE}}
| align="center"|{{sort|02–04|2–4}}
| align="center"|<ref name="LEDBC">{{cite news |title=Snooker win |work=Liverpool Echo |page=16 |date=22 December 1977 }}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 19.
| [[1977 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament|1977]]
| [[Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–03|5–3}}
| align="center"|<ref name="Irish Masters"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 20.
| 1978
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|{{sort|21–07|21–7}}
| align="center"|<ref name="IPC2">{{cite news |title=Higgins' 'double' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 February 1978 |page=30 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-higgins-double/161468040/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 21.
| [[1978 Masters (snooker)|1978]]
| [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]]
| data-sort-value="Thorburn, Cliff" | {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| align="center"|{{sort|07–05|7–5}}
| align="center"| {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 12.
| 1978
| Castle Professional
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|03–05|3–5}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spencer beats Higgins at the Castle |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=May 1978 |page=22}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 22.
| 1978
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(3)</small>
| data-sort-value="Fagan, Patsy" |{{flagathlete|[[Patsy Fagan]]|IRE}}
| align="center"|{{sort|21–13|21–13}}
| align="center"|<ref name="IRISH78">{{cite news |last=Harper |first=Ronnie |title=Higgins supreme |work=The Belfast Telegraph |page=17 |date=17 April 1978 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]. Retrieved 25 March 2020.}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 13.
| [[1978 Champion of Champions|1978]]
| [[Champion of Champions (snooker)|Champion of Champions]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|09–11|9–11}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 November 1978 |title=Reardon the champion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/159214567/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a"| Runner-up
| 14.
| 1978
| Suffolk Professional Invitational 
| data-sort-value="Fagan, Patsy" |{{flagathlete|[[Patsy Fagan]]|IRE}}
| align="center"| 3–7
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=That great velvet touch |url=http://www.patsyfagan.com/archives/Q%20World%20Article%20-%20Fagans%20Honour%20-%20April%2078.html |magazine=Q world |date=April 1978 |access-date=13 May 2020 |via=patsyfagan.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002180507/http://www.patsyfagan.com/archives/Q%20World%20Article%20-%20Fagans%20Honour%20-%20April%2078.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 15.
| [[1979 Masters (snooker)|1979]]
| [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]]
| data-sort-value="Mans, Perrie" | {{flagathlete|[[Perrie Mans]]|SAF|1928}}
| align="center"|{{sort|04–08|4–8}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 23.
| [[1979 Tolly Cobbold Classic|1979]]
| [[Tolly Cobbold Classic]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–04|5–4}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=142}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 24.
| 1979
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(4)</small>
| data-sort-value="Fagan, Patsy" |{{flagathlete|[[Patsy Fagan]]|IRE}}
| align="center"|{{sort|21–12|21–12}}
| align="center"|<ref name="IRISH79">{{cite news |last=Harper |first=Ronnie |title=Higgins now in right rhythm for world title |work=The Belfast Telegraph |page=27 |date=23 March 1979}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 25.
| [[1980 Padmore/Super Crystalate International|1980]]
| [[1980 Padmore/Super Crystalate International|Padmore Super Crystalate International]]
| data-sort-value="Mans, Perrie" | {{flagathlete|[[Perrie Mans]]|SAF|1928}}
| align="center"|{{sort|04–02|4–2}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Lean spell ends for Higgins |newspaper=The Guardian |page=18 |date=18 January 1980 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-lean-spell-ends-for-higgins/161468290/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 16.
| [[1980 Classic (1979/1980)|1980]]
| [[Classic (snooker)|The Classic]]
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|{{sort|03–04|3–4}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spencer beats Higgins to win Wilson's Classic |magazine=Snooker Scene  |publisher=Everton's News Agency|date=February 1980 |pages=16–17}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 26.
| [[1980 Tolly Cobbold Classic|1980]]
| [[Tolly Cobbold Classic]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–04|5–4}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=142}}
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 17.
| [[1980 Masters (snooker)|1980]]
| [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Griffiths, Terry" | {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–09|5–9}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 27.
| [[1980 British Gold Cup|1980]]
| [[British Open (snooker)|British Gold Cup]]
| data-sort-value="Reardon, Ray" | {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|{{sort|05–01|5–1}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Success story: The British Gold Cup |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency  |date=April 1980 |pages=5–7}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 18.
| 1980
| [[Irish Professional Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|{{sort|15–21|15–21}}
| align="center"|{{sfn|Everton|1986|p=130}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 28.
| [[1980 Pontins Camber Sands|1980]]
| [[1980 Pontins Camber Sands|Pontins Camber Sands]]
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|9–7
| align="center"|<ref name="Revenge Win for Higgins"/>
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 19.
| [[1980 UK Championship|1980]]
| [[UK Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"| 6–16
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 29.
| [[1981 Masters (snooker)|1981]]
| [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Griffiths, Terry" | {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|9–6
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 20.
| [[1982 Irish Professional Championship|1982]]
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|13–16
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=61}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 21.
| [[1982 Scottish Masters|1982]]
| [[Scottish Masters]]
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|4–9
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=68}}
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 22.
| [[1982 UK Championship|1982]]
| [[UK Championship]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Griffiths, Terry" | {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|15–16
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 30.
| [[1983 Irish Professional Championship|1983]]
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(5)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|16–11
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=61}}
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 31.
| [[1983 UK Championship|1983]]
| [[UK Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|16–15
| align="center"| {{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 23.
| 1985
| [[Irish Masters]]
| data-sort-value="White, Jimmy" | {{flagathlete|[[Jimmy White]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|5–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Irish Masters"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 24.
| [[1985 Irish Professional Championship|1985]]
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(3)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|5–10
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=61}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 25.
| [[1985 Carlsberg Challenge|1985]]
| [[Fosters Professional|Carlsberg Challenge]]
| data-sort-value="White, Jimmy" | {{flagathlete|[[Jimmy White]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|3–8
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1989|p=107}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 26.
| [[1986 Irish Professional Championship|1986]]
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(4)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|7–10
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=61}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 27.
| [[1986 Scottish Masters|1986]]
| [[Scottish Masters]] <small>(2)</small>
| data-sort-value="Thorburn, Cliff" | {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| align="center"|8–9
| align="center"|{{sfn|Morrison|1987|p=68}}
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 28.
| [[1987 Masters (snooker)|1987]]
| [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]] <small>(3)</small>
| data-sort-value="Taylor, Dennis" | {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|8–9
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=531–534}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 29.
| 1988
| WPBSA Satellite Tournament (Glasgow)
| data-sort-value="Wilkinson, Gary" | {{flagathlete|[[Gary Wilkinson (snooker player)|Gary Wilkinson]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|4–5
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins in trouble |newspaper=Evening Post |location=Nottingham |date=14 September 1988 |page=32 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-post-higgins-in-trouble/161468561/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 32.
| [[1989 Irish Professional Championship|1989]]
| [[Irish Professional Championship]] <small>(6)</small>
| data-sort-value="McLaughlin, Jack" | {{flagathlete|[[Jack McLaughlin]]|NIR}}
| align="center"|9–7
| align="center"|{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|p=157}}
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up 
| 30. 
| [[1989 Hong Kong Gold Cup|1989]]
| [[1989 Hong Kong Gold Cup|Hong Kong Gold Cup]] 
| data-sort-value="Davis, Steve" | {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|3–6
| align="center"|<ref name="For the record: snooker"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 33.
| [[1989 Irish Masters|1989]]
| [[Irish Masters]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| align="center"|9–8
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Terry |title=Higgins claws back to lift Masters title |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 April 1989 |page=34 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-higgins-claws-back-t/161468471/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|}

===Pro-am finals: 4 (3 titles)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Pro-am finals contested by Alex Higgins
!scope="col"|Outcome
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Championship
!scope="col"|Opponent in the final
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col" class=unsortable |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| 1975
| Castle Open
| data-sort-value="Spencer, John" |{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|5–2
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins beats Spencer – lifts £500 prize |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=22 December 1975 |page=18}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| 1977
| [[Pontins Spring Open]]
| data-sort-value="Griffiths, Terry" | {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| align="center"|7–4
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pontins.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228200841/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pontins.html|archive-date=28 February 2012|title=Pontins Open, Pontins Professional, Pontins World Pro-Am Series|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=30 June 2013|first=Turner|last=Chris}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| 1979
| Castle Open <small>(2)</small> 
| data-sort-value="Davis, Fred" | {{flagathlete|[[Fred Davis (snooker player)|Fred Davis]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|5–1
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins is Castle champion |work=The Birmingham Post |date=22 January 1979 |page=12}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 1987
| Dutch Open
| data-sort-value="Birch, Jonathan" | {{flagathlete|[[Jonathan Birch (snooker player)|Jonathan Birch]]|ENG}}
| align="center"|2–6
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins beaten |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 October 1987 |page=35}}</ref>
|}

===Team finals: 6 (5 titles)===
{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Team finals contested by Alex Higgins
!scope="col"|Outcome
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Championship
!scope="col"|Team
!scope="col"|Opponent(s) in the final
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|{{Ref heading}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[1975 Ladbroke International (snooker)|1975]]
| [[1975 Ladbroke International (snooker)|Ladbroke International]]
| [[Rest of the world in sports and games|Rest of the World]]:{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}|{{flagathlete|[[Eddie Charlton]]|AUS}}|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Jackie Rea]]|NIR}}}}
| England:{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Rex Williams]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[Fred Davis (snooker player)|Fred Davis]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[Graham Miles]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[John Pulman]]|ENG}}}}
| align="center"|+113{{efn|Difference in cumulative points scored}}
|{{sfn|Everton|1976|pages=6–7}}<ref name="LINT">{{cite news  |title=ITV London |work=Reading Evening Post |location=Reading|date=5 April 1975 |page=2 }}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| [[1984 World Doubles Championship|1984]]
| [[World Doubles Championship]]
| {{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Jimmy White]]|ENG}}}}
| {{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Willie Thorne]]|ENG}}}}
| align="center"|10–2
|{{sfn|Hale|1987|page=226}}
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| [[1985 World Cup (snooker)|1985]]
| [[World Cup (snooker)|World Cup]] 
| Ireland "A":{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Eugene Hughes (snooker player)|Eugene Hughes]]|IRE}}}}
| England: {{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[Tony Knowles (snooker player)|Tony Knowles]]|ENG}}|{{flagathlete|[[Tony Meo]]|ENG}}}}
| align="center"|9–7
|{{sfn|Hale|1987|page=243}}
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| [[1986 World Cup (snooker)|1986]]
| [[World Cup (snooker)|World Cup]] <small>(2)</small> 
| Ireland "A"{:| Ireland "A":{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Eugene Hughes (snooker player)|Eugene Hughes]]|IRE}}}}
| Canada:{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Bill Werbeniuk]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Kirk Stevens]]|CAN}}}}
| align="center"|9–7
|{{sfn|Hale|1987|page=243}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Acteson |first=Steve |title=Hughes paid no favours by new format |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=16 March 1988 |page=47}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 5.
| [[1987 World Cup (snooker)|1987]]
| [[World Cup (snooker)|World Cup]] <small>(3)</small> 
| Ireland "A":{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Eugene Hughes (snooker player)|Eugene Hughes]]|IRE}}}}
| Canada:{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Bill Werbeniuk]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Kirk Stevens]]|CAN}}}}
| align="center"|9–2
| {{sfn|Hale|1987|page=243}}{{sfn|Morrison|1987|pages=137–140}}
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| [[1990 World Cup (snooker)|1990]]
| [[World Cup (snooker)|World Cup]]
| Northern Ireland Ireland "A":{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|Alex Higgins|NIR}}|{{flagathlete|[[Tommy Murphy (snooker player)|Tommy Murphy]]|NIR}}}}
| Canada:{{bulleted list|{{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Bob Chaperon]]|CAN}}|{{flagathlete|[[Alain Robidoux]]|CAN}}}}
| align="center"|5–9
|<ref name="CAN2">{{cite news |title=Sport in brief: Canada top |newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=25 March 1990 |page=B1}}</ref>
|}

===Amateur finals: 3 (2 titles)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Amateur finals contested by Alex Higgins
!scope="col"|Outcome
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Championship
!scope="col"|Opponent in the final
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col" class=unsortable |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| 1968
| {{nowrap|[[Northern Ireland Amateur Championship (snooker)|Northern Ireland Amateur Championship]]}}
| data-sort-value="Gill, Maurice" |{{flagathlete|Maurice Gill|NIR}}
| align="center"|4–1
| align="center"|<ref name="GS profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-legends-player-information-alex-higgins.asp |title=Alex 'The Hurricane' Higgins |website=global-snooker.com |access-date=7 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616081913/http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-legends-player-information-alex-higgins.asp |archive-date=16 June 2009 }}</ref><ref name="NI68">{{cite news |last=Harper |first=Ronnie |title=Higgins smashes three records |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=9 March 1968 |page=14}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| 1968
| All-Ireland Amateur Championship
| data-sort-value="Hanway, Gerry" |{{flagathlete|Gerry Hanway|IRL}}
| align="center"|4–1
| align="center"|<ref name="AI1968"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 1969
| [[Northern Ireland Amateur Championship (snooker)|Northern Ireland Amateur Championship]]
| data-sort-value="Anderson, Dessie" |{{flagathlete|Dessie Anderson|NIR}}
| align="center"|0–4
| align="center"|<ref name="NI1969"/>
|}

===Straight pool===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Pool finals contested by Alex Higgins
!scope="col"|Outcome
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Championship
!scope="col"|Opponent in the final
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col" class=unsortable |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
|1976
|Australian Invitational Pocket Billiards Championship
|{{flagathlete|[[Warren Simpson]]|AUS}}
|200–98
|<ref>{{cite news |title='Hurricane' here for pool |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 June 1976 |page=17|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hurricane-here/164254983/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins wins pool title |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 June 1976 |page=27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-higgins-wins-p/164254390/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb2}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
{{div col}}
* {{cite book |last= Borrows |first= Bill |title= The Hurricane: The Turbulent Life & Times of Alex Higgins |publisher= Atlantic Books |location=London |year= 2002 |isbn= 978-1-903809-91-4 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/hurricaneturbule0000borr }}
* {{cite book |last=Byrne |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Byrne (author) |title=Byrne's Advanced Technique in Pool and Billiards |chapter=Alex Higgins, Britain's Bad Boy |pages=227–233 |location= San Diego |publisher= Harcourt Brace Jovanovich |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-15-614971-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Cooper |first=Brendan |title=Deep Pockets: Snooker and the Meaning of Life |publisher=Constable |location=London |isbn=978-1-4087-1777-6 |year=2023}}
* {{cite book |last=Davis |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Davis |title=Interesting: My Autobiography |publisher=Ebury |location=London |year=2016 |orig-year=2015 |isbn=978-0-09-195865-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Everton |first=Clive |author-link=Clive Everton |year=1976 |title=The Ladbroke Snooker International Handbook |location=Birmingham |publisher=Ladbrokes Leisure|isbn=978-0-905606-00-2}}
*{{cite book |last=Everton |first=Clive |year=1981 |title=The Guinness Book of Snooker |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |location=Enfield |isbn=978-0-85112-230-4 |ref={{harvid|Everton|1981a}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Everton |first=Clive |year=1986 |title=The History of Snooker and Billiards|publisher=Partridge Press |location=Haywards Heath |isbn=978-1-85225-013-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Everton |first=Clive |year=1993 |title=The Embassy Book of World Snooker |publisher=Bloomsbury |location=London |isbn=978-0-7475-1610-1 }}
* {{cite book |last=Everton |first=Clive |year=2012 |title=Black Farce and Cue Ball Wizards |publisher=Mainstream |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-78057-568-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Hale |first=Janice |year=1987 |title=Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1987–88 |location=Aylesbury |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=978-0-356-14690-4 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Hayton |first1=Eric |last2=Dee |first2=John |year=2004 |title=The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History |publisher=Rose Villa Publications |location=Lowestoft |isbn=978-0-9548549-0-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Hendon |first=Dave |year=2025 |title=Pots of Gold: a History of Snooker |publisher=Swift Press |location=London |isbn=978-1-80075-353-2 |edition=Kindle}}
* {{cite book|last=Hennessey|first=John|title=Eye of the Hurricane: The Alex Higgins Story |publisher=Mainstream |location=Edinburgh |year=2000|isbn=978-1-840-18385-6|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/eyeofhurricaneal0000henn}}
* {{cite book |last1= Higgins |first1= Alex |last2= Francis|first2= Tony |title= Alex Through the Looking Glass |publisher=Sphere |location= London |year= 1987 |orig-year=1986 |isbn=978-0-7221-4849-5 }}
**{{cite book |last=Higgins |first=Alex |title=From the Eye of the Hurricane |year=2007|publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-2191-9 }}
* {{cite book |last=Morrison |first=Ian |year=1987 |title=The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Snooker - revised edition |location=Twickenham |publisher=Hamlyn Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-600-55604-6}}
*{{cite book |last=Morrison |first=Ian |year=1988 |title=Hamlyn Who's Who in Snooker |location=London |publisher=Hamlyn |isbn=978-0-600-55713-5 }}
* {{cite book |last=Morrison|first=Ian |year=1989 |title=Snooker: Records, Facts and Champions |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |location=Enfield |isbn=978-0-85112-364-6}}
*{{cite book |last=Perrin |first=Reg |title=Pot Black |year=1980 |publisher=BBC |location=London |isbn=978-0-563-17789-0}}
*{{cite book |last1=Reardon |first1=Ray |author-link1=Ray Reardon |last2=Hennessey |first2=John |title=Enjoying Snooker with Ray Reardon |edition=Revised |year=1986 |location=London |publisher=Orbis |oclc=60071113}}
*{{cite book |last=Spencer |first=John |author-link=John Spencer (snooker player) |title=Out of the Blue into the Black |year=2005 |publisher=Parrs Wood Press |location=Manchester|isbn=978-1-903158-63-0}}
*{{cite book |last=Trelford |first=Donald |author-link=Donald Trelford |title=Snookered |year=1986 |publisher=Faber & Faber |location=London |isbn=978-0-571-13640-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Luke |last2=Gadsby |first2=Paul |year=2005 |title=Masters of the Baize |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Mainstream |isbn=978-1-84018-872-1}}
{{div col end}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Francis |first=Tony |title=Who Was Hurricane Higgins? |year=2011 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location=London |isbn=978-1-444-70877-6 |ref=no}}
* {{cite book |last=Lisberg |first=Harvey |author-link=Harvey Lisberg |year=2024 |title=Managing the Bad Boys of Snooker: Jimmy White and Alex Higgins |publisher=Fuzzy Flamingo |location=Market Harborough |isbn=978-1-0687637-7-9|ref=no }}
* {{cite book |last=Meadowcroft |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Meadowcroft |title=Higgins, Taylor and Me |year=1986 |publisher=Arthur Barker |location=London |isbn=978-0-213-16933-6 |ref=no}}
* {{cite book |last=Virgo |first=John |author-link=John Virgo |title=Let Me Tell You About Alex - Crazy Days And Nights On The Road With The Hurricane |year=2012 |publisher=John Blake |location=London |isbn=978-1-84358-882-5 |ref=no}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{portal|Cue sports}}
* {{WST player|old_id=alex-higgins|archive=20230922152645}}
* {{snooker.org player}}
* {{IMDb name|nm2105484}}

{{World snooker champions}}
{{UK Championship winners}}
{{Masters winners}}
{{1995 European Mosconi Cup team}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Alex}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Anglicans from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Belfast]]
[[Category:Snooker players from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Masters (snooker) champions]]
[[Category:UK champions (snooker)]]
[[Category:People from Northern Ireland convicted of assault]]
[[Category:Winners of the professional snooker world championship]]
[[Category:Pool players from Northern Ireland]]