Anthony McGill won the 2017 Coral Shoot Out after beating Xiao Goudong 67-19 in the final in Watford.
The Scot fell behind early in the 10-minute frame but finally got in with an opportunity in which he coolly compiled an excellent run of 67 for his second ranking title of the season.
Xiao had been hoping for a maiden ranking success but had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Shoot Out for the second time in three years.
There was controversy earlier on Sunday when the Chinese overcame David Gilbert in a close quarter-final encounter despite having clearly played a time foul.
The format permits 15 seconds per shot during the first five minutes of the frame, and 10 seconds per shot for the remaining five.
With about a minute left on the clock, Xiao enjoyed an eight point lead but, amid loud cheers from the crowd, potted a yellow a number of seconds after the time had elapsed – yet, it was not recognised by the referee.
The incident highlighted the ridiculousness of the Shoot Out being attributed ranking event status, with so much at stake in a tournament which doesn’t even boast normal snooker rules.
The Shoot Out is fun and rightfully has its place on the calendar as something a bit different to entertain traditional and new fans alike, but even champion McGill expressed after his triumph that “in no way on God’s earth should this be a ranking tournament.”
The £32,000 the 26 year-old pockets helps him move into the top 16 in the world rankings, where automatic qualification for the World Championship is at stake.
