Gary Wilson 'very happy and proud' after defending Scottish Open title to become multiple winner

ByAlex Livie

Published 17/12/2023 at 23:09 GMT

Gary Wilson found his form in style in Edinburgh this week, as he defended the Scottish Open title with a 9-5 victory over Noppon Saengkham in the final at the Meadowbank Sports Centre. Wilson arrived in Scotland with no form to his name in the 2023/24 season, but everything clicked and he made off with his second ranking title to resurrect his season.

Gary Wilson has expressed delight at becoming a multiple winner in snooker after defending his Scottish Open title.

After a tough start to the 2023/24 season, Wilson found form at a happy hunting ground and he dominated the final to beat Noppon Saengkham and claim the title.

He joined Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Mark Allen in defending a Home Nations title, and also found his way into a select group as a winner of multiple ranking titles.

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It is an achievement Wilson is proud of, as was the way he secured the win at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh.

“The road I have taken I have had two finals and lost,” Wilson said in the Eurosport studio. “The third one was last year and was more like playing on instinct.

“What I am getting at is when Ronnie (O'Sullivan) says he made his maximum of five minutes and eight seconds, he said it was not done properly. That’s kind of how I felt I was playing last year.

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“When you lose two and win one, I am coming into this one not wanting to make it 3-1. I wanted to make it 2-2 and have parity and in my head when I get into finals I fancy them.

“I am not going to knock the achievement I have made, there’s not many who have won more than one.

“There are many who would love to be a multiple winner and I am very happy and proud about that.”

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Despite the comfortable-looking 9-5 scoreline, Wilson admitted it was tough getting over the line.

“It was torture,” he said. “I don't think I had any positional play, but I felt like I kept not landing on something nice and I just had to keep chiselling one in and chiselling one in. I was like I don't care, just pot and pot and you will get there.”

Wilson spoke earlier in the week about his struggles with his game, and reserved praise for his family for their unwavering support.

“They have more faith in me,” Wilson said. “I have good reason, I have been struggling, and it is not easy from the outside looking in to see what is wrong and what the problem is.

“They are absolutely brilliant.”

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