Barry Hawkins produced a strong display to overcome Jack Lisowski 9-5 and win the 2026 Welsh Open title in Llandudno on Sunday.
The Hawk defied back problems, which had him questioning his involvement in the tournament before the week began, to end his trip to the Venue Cymru with the £100,000 top prize.
Hawkins established a huge lead early on but was made to work hard for his victory as his opponent threatened an unlikely fight back.
Success represents a fifth ranking title for the 46 year-old and a first since 2023 when he captured that year’s European Masters crown.
English duo Hawkins and Lisowski entered the Welsh Open final as two players who had underachieved at this level of competition.
But the latter’s victory in the Home Nations Series rankings on Saturday, coupled with the breaking of his hoodoo in finals earlier this season at the Northern Ireland Open, led many to believe that his fortunes in the bigger moments were changing.
Unfortunately, the Lisowski of old initially turned up for Sunday’s showdown for glory – perhaps feeling flat after the highs of the night before – and it was a familiar sight as he ended a tournament as its runner-up.
Hawkins got the title-deciding affair off to a perfect start, compiling an excellent 105 century break in the opening frame that in many ways set the tone for the entirety of the afternoon session.
Lisowski did immediately get back on level terms and looked sharp at the beginning of the third frame before missing a black off the spot.
A botched attempt at a red to middle soon after then proved crucial as his experienced opponent responded with a run of 67 to regain the early advantage.
Hawkins doubled his cushion by the mid-session interval courtesy of a second ton, and a runaway scoreline already seemed to be on the cards when he won a scrappy fifth frame after the resumption.
By now, Lisowski was looking more and more dejected with a series of disappointing misses leading to more immediate results of punishment.
Hawkins pounced with breaks of 76 and 88 to pull five frames clear at 6-1, and he was then gifted several opportunities in the last frame of the first session to make that 7-1.
An impressive crowd, as there had been all week at a wonderfully attended event in North Wales, was in to watch the finale.
Many would have been hoping for a fight back from Lisowski, and the world number 22 looked a completely transformed competitor as he made lightning-quick contributions of 112 and 102 to instill some hope.
The prospects of a turnaround became even more genuine when he then emerged from a lengthy tactical battle with another frame.
But a relieved Hawkins benefited from a fluked red at the start of the 12th frame and a timely break of 68 helped him to reach the last mid-session interval needing just one more for the title.
Lisowski was able to reduce the arrears to within three behind again, but Hawkins finally sealed the deal with two bites at the cherry in the 14th frame.
The victory effectively guarantees Hawkins’ involvement in next month’s prestigious Tour Championship, where only the top 12 from the one-year rankings will participate.
Lisowski, in 14th, might still force his way into contention with the upcoming World Open in China on the schedule before Manchester.
But the player known as Jackpot, who pocketed the £150,000 bonus for topping the Home Nations Series rankings this season, will have to dust himself off after a seventh defeat out of eight in ranking event finals.
For Hawkins, the former world number four will rise back into the top ten after reminding everyone that he still has what it takes to challenge for honours in the game.
The former World Championship runner-up doesn’t boast the best of records in finals either, but his career stats certainly look better with his tally of ranking crowns now up to five.
In many of his previous outings in finals, Hawkins had either wilted tamely or put up a brave fight only to frequently end up on the losing side.
Not on this occasion, though, and the 2026 Welsh Open will be remembered by Hawkins etching his name onto the Ray Reardon Trophy.
Featured photo credit: WST
