Ronnie O’Sullivan won his first trophy of the season after a superb display in the final of the Paul Hunter Classic in Furth.
The reigning world champion has not played in many events so far this season, this being his third, but looked in fine form as he improved through the rounds to collect the trophy and winner’s cheque.
The ‘Rocket’ survived a scare in his opening match on Sunday in the fourth round when he required to use all seven frames in overcoming Scotland’s Anthony McGill.
But the 37 year-old was rarely troubled before or after that encounter, enjoying a whitewash win over Stuart Bingham before booking his place in the final by beating two-time defending champion Mark Selby 4-2 in the semi-finals.
In the final itself, O’Sullivan compiled four big breaks, including a 110 in the last, to see off Gerard Greene 4-0 in a one-sided affair.
Northern Ireland’s Greene managed only 47 points in the entire contest but should be satisfied having reached the final of an event carrying ranking points for the first time in his career.
The 39 year-old, originally from Ken, recorded successive 4-1 triumphs over Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon and countryman Joe Swail before going the distance in his last four clash with Ali Carter.
Greene almost let a three frame advantage slip but held his nerve in a dramatic decider to eventually prevail by sinking the final pink.
It’s Ronnie O’Sullivan who will be the happiest this morning, though, emerging from the weekend with another title to his name in what many regard as the most prestigious and best of the Players Tour Championship series.
Not only is it named in recognition of one of the sport’s finest stars, who tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2006, but it is also one of the best supported events on the circuit.
There were packed crowds throughout each day and their enthusiasm once again heralded the special interest for the game held in Germany at the moment.
Irishmen Ken Doherty and Davy Morris journeys both came to a conclusion in the last 16.
