Nobody could have predicted what lay ahead for the Scot

From 9-11 in the semi-finals, Hendry beat John Parrott 16-11 and his 18-12 victory over Jimmy White in the final lasted only six hours, three minutes.

Hendry compiled a break of 108 in the last frame of the first day to lead 9-7 and won the first four of the third session in just 45 minutes, an onslaught from which White, who had beaten Steve Davis 16-14 in the semis, never recovered.

If the tournament marked the beginning of Hendry's period of dominance, it also marked the end for Higgins.

With a series of disciplinary transgressions stacking up against him, Higgins announced his retirement during a rambling speech which followed his 10-5 first round defeat to Steve James.

Higgins punched the tournament press officer on entering the press conference room to add to the accumulation of misbehaviour which saw him banned for a season.

James had produced a notable first in the match, a "16-red" 135 total clearance that began with a free ball.