Last year's shock Welsh Open runner-up Andrew Higginson heads back to Newport on Monday in the hope that lightning will strike twice.

The Widnes-based player completed a remarkable run from the first qualifying round to within a frame of taking the title 12 months ago before losing out 9-8 to Neil Robertson.

Higginson, who also made a televised 147 break in the tournament, beat Jimmy White in this season's qualifiers to secure a return and faces Anthony Hamilton in the first round

"Going back to Newport will revive some fantastic memories for me," Higginson said. "I hope I can carry on my run of success there and show that it wasn't a one-off.

"Probably my best moment last year was making a 147 on television. The final was also amazing.

"I'd watched so many finals on TV, with packed venues and all the cameras, lights and music as the players walk out. To actually be there myself under the spotlight felt like a dream.

"Although I lost the final I don't have any regrets as all the shots I played towards the end seemed like the right ones at the time. In the last 32, I came from 3-0 down to beat John Higgins, so just to be in the final was unbelievable."

Higginson's Welsh heroics earned him the Achievement of the Year award in the annual Snooker Writers Association's poll, but he has since failed to reproduce his best form in the Prestatyn qualifying school.

"Suddenly I was expected to win matches in the qualifiers and the draws you get there are very tough," he said.

"I wanted to achieve what I had done in Newport having experienced that once, but it's hard to reproduce that kind of run. So I was delighted to beat Jimmy in the qualifiers and give myself another chance."

A total of 48 players are contesting the Welsh title, the fifth of this season's seven ranking events.

Robertson starts his title defence on Tuesday against Jamie Cope or Jimmy Michie while world champion John Higgins meets Barry Hawkins or David Roe.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the Welsh champion in 2004 and 2005, tackles Northern Ireland's Joe Swail or 18 year-old rising star Judd Trump.

Stephen Hendry, three times the Welsh Open winner, faces Michael Holt or Joe Delaney.

The home charge is led by Mark Williams, looking to climb back up the rankings after slipping to 33rd in the provisional standings.

The double Welsh Open champion will face a tricky encounter with Hong Kong's Marco Fu if the reigning Grand Prix champion can first beat Adrian Gunnell.

Matthew Stevens, Ryan Day and Dominic Dale are the other Welsh players in action.