Higgins holds off Day

Higgins led 7-2 after a strong start as Day struggled in the opening frames following his epic semi-final victory over Ali Carter on Saturday night.

But as Higgins faltered, Day began to profit and won four frames in succession to pile the pressure on the home-town favourite at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

However, Higgins called on the experience that has seen him to two World Championship titles to edge over the line - much to the delight of the partisan crowd.

The triumph was Higgins's 19th ranking tournament victory, although it is his first since lifting the 2007 world crown at the Crucible and his first on Scottish soil.

For 28-year-old Day, the search for a first ranking event victory goes on after also finishing runner-up twice last season, in Shanghai and Malta.

The Pontycymmer potter looked weary at times after coming through a tough draw.

While Higgins had a relatively untroubled journey to the final, winning 21 frames and losing just nine, Day had three final-frame deciders out of four matches.