Maguire wins first World Snooker Pro challenge event
Stephen Maguire beat fellow Scot Alan McManus 5-2 in the final of the first of the World Snooker Pro Challenge events in Leeds.
World Number Two Stephen Maguire, who recently underwent laser eye surgery, started his season on the right note with victory at the Northern Snooker Centre.
Maguire tooked the opening frame of the fnal with a run of 52, but McManus countered with 84 and 73 to take a 2-1 lead.
59 from Maguire brought the score level. He won the fifth and further efforts of 68 twice carried him over the winning line.
Maguire had far from an easy run to the final, being taken to deciding frames by Mark Davis in the preliminary round and by Rod Lawler in Round One.
He added a 4-1 win over debutant pro Craig Steadman, before edging out Dave Harold 4-3 in the quarter finals.
A 5-2 victory in the semi finals brought to an end a great run by Ben Woollaston who is returning to the professional ranks this season.
McManus beat Ken Doherty 5-2 in their semi final, ending a good run by the Irishman, which included a 4-1 win over Jimmy Michie, with break of 127 and 94 and a 4-0 trouncing of Joe Swail.
Dave Harold clocked the highest break of the week, with 128 in round one against Stuart Bingham.
Apart from Maguire, who is seeded into the Last 32, all the other professionals will now pack up their cues and head for Pontin's to start the Shanghai Masters qualifiers on Monday.
The new Star tables await them and if the glowing reports by the PIOS players are anything to go by, the Professionals will find superb playing conditions awaiting them.
