Barry Hawkins claims 2026 Welsh Open snooker title – his fifth ranking trophy and what it means
Llandudno's Venue Cymru was buzzing on Sunday night as the 2026 Welsh Open drew to a close. There wasn't an empty seat in the house, and for good reason: the final was a clash of two very different stories. On one side, an established pro; on the other, the eternal promise, finally breaking free from the weight of expectation.
In the end, it was Barry Hawkins hoisting the trophy aloft, defeating Jack Lisowski 9–6. It's Hawkins' fifth career ranking title, and by no means the easiest. The Hawk has always been a player who, on his day, can challenge anyone, but his name is rarely mentioned in the same breath as dominance. Maybe that's his secret weapon: an unassuming steadiness that chips away at an opponent's confidence, piece by piece. In the final, Hawkins didn't necessarily shine; he just got the job done – and that was enough.
Lisowski's career like an unfinished autobiography
If the final were judged on flair alone, Jack Lisowski would have taken the trophy home on Saturday. But snooker isn't figure skating. Lisowski's path to the final was straight out of a thriller: in the semis, he looked set to be the underdog against John Higgins once again, but staged an incredible comeback. The Scot led 5–2, but Lisowski struck back like a wily old pro – or in this case, a young gun finally learning the ropes. The 6–5 scoreline doesn't tell the full story of the battle.
Lisowski's journey reads like the protagonist of Running: The Autobiography: full of fast breaks, but also stumbles on the final stretch. If anyone deserves to break free from the 'promising' tag, it's Jack. In the final, though, he couldn't quite get a grip on Hawkins, despite flashes of those shots that have earned him the reputation as one of the best entertainers in TV snooker.
- Hawkins' road to victory: convincing wins over Zhou Yuelong and Mark Williams after the qualifiers.
- Lisowski's remarkable run: defeating Mark Allen in the quarters and staging that comeback against Higgins in the semis.
- Home Nations Series bonus: A win would have secured the bonus for Lisowski, but he has to settle for silver and a handy rankings payday.
Where are today's Kiwi players?
While there were no New Zealand players in Llandudno this year, Live: Welsh Open Snooker broadcasts still pulled in thousands of viewers back home. Snooker has a strong amateur following here, and fans appreciate the tactical nuance. Perhaps it's time for a local Kiwi business to consider the potential in some Northern Hemisphere exposure – the tournaments are watched closely beyond the British Isles, and a logo flashing on screen can do wonders for brand recognition.
It's interesting to compare this year's tournament to the 2023 Welsh Open. Back then, the title went to Robert Milkins, another seasoned pro like Hawkins. Now, two years on, the field is even tighter: anyone in the top 16 can have a good week and take the trophy. It's a punter's nightmare, but for us viewers, it's absolute gold.
In the end, you have to tip your hat to Barry Hawkins. He's like that colleague who never makes a fuss, but whose desk always has the projects finished on time. A fifth ranking title is a just reward for a man who has stayed at the top, quietly and steadily. And Jack Lisowski? His story is still being written – maybe the next chapter unfolds at the World Championships in the spring.