O'Sullivan, who equalled Stephen Hendry's achievement of three Regal crowns, was never behind in a high quality final.

He led 3-0 and 5-1 before Higgins briefly threatened to make a contest of it.

The Scot reduced the deficit to 5-4 before O'Sullivan turned on the style again.

He allowed Higgins just 65 points in the closing four frames as he assembled breaks of 43, 112, 52 and 91.

"I still struggle at times but now I'm more confident of my form coming back. I came to Glasgow with high expectations because I've been demolishing players in practice.

"But I know it's so much different in matches because you only get once chance. Just to win one match was nice, to win two was fantastic and to win three is even better."

O'Sullivan's latest success has made him anxious for more.

Second best

"I'd like to win 50 or 60 titles by the time I end my career," he added.

"It will be hard to win 70 like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, but I definitely think I can win 50 odd. That's the sort of goal I need to set myself to keep my interest.

"I feel I can win three or four more world championships and another couple UK titles.

"I'd like to try and be the best player in the world for as long as I can."

Higgins had no complaints about finishing second best.

"Ronnie was a worthy winner," he said. "The chances I had I couldn't take. And the way I was playing I couldn't get close to him.

"Even when I got back to 5-4 I couldn't put any pressure on him. I did well in these invitation events last season and not in the ranking tournaments so it would be nice if I can change that around."