Snooker star Mark Allen has revealed he "cried himself to sleep" after missing out on a £150,000 bonus in heartbreaking fashion at the Welsh Open. The Northern Irishman was poised to land the lucrative Home Nations Series jackpot, but a surprise first-round exit opened the door for rival Jack Lisowski to snatch the prize.
A Costly Early Defeat
Allen entered the Welsh Open as the clear frontrunner for the £150,000 bonus, having dominated the Home Nations campaign from the start. He claimed victory at the English Open in September and followed with successive semi-final appearances at both the Northern Ireland and Scottish Opens. However, his form collapsed in Wales, where he suffered a devastating first-round defeat to David Grace.
This unexpected loss meant Lisowski, one of only four players who could mathematically overtake Allen, was presented with a golden opportunity. The Englishman seized it dramatically, producing an impressive comeback in his semi-final against John Higgins to reach the final and secure the six-figure sum.
Grace in Defeat
Despite his disappointment, Allen was gracious in defeat, publicly congratulating Lisowski on social media. He posted: "What a break, Jack Lisowski. Fair play. [I’m] not sure I’m ever gonna win that bonus. [That’s the] fourth time in six years I’ve been second."
In a follow-up message that captured his emotional state, Allen added: "I cried myself to sleep after tweeting that." This candid admission highlighted just how painful the near-miss was for the snooker professional, who had been top of the rankings throughout the Home Nations series.
Lisowski's Triumphant Turnaround
Jack Lisowski's path to the bonus was anything but straightforward. He trailed John Higgins 3-1 in their semi-final before mounting a spectacular fightback to lead 4-3 and 5-4. Although Higgins forced a deciding frame, Lisowski held his nerve under immense pressure, producing a classy break of 78 to clinch victory.
Reflecting on his winning break, Lisowski said: "I was thinking just pot, don’t stop potting until you hear them clapping. I had some stinkers, some angle shots you don’t want when there is a lot of pressure on it. They were going in, and I was playing some really good stuff. I hit some good shots."
He added on his impressive turnaround: "I felt like I could not get anything going, and I was playing the occasion. I was being stupid, really. I was in my shell and I just felt shackled. So I figured just get out there and open the balls."
Looking Ahead
With the £150,000 bonus secured, Lisowski now turns his attention to the Welsh Open final against Barry Hawkins on Sunday. "You win one, and you have to go again," he remarked. "It is the same for everyone."
Meanwhile, Mark Allen is left to ponder what might have been, having come agonisingly close to a significant financial windfall. His emotional response underscores the high stakes and intense pressure professional snooker players face in these lucrative bonus scenarios.
