'Far bigger than the UK' – John Higgins opens up major debate on snooker's self-styled 'Triple Crown' series

John Higgins is adamant the elite eight-man £380,000 Tour Championship is the third biggest tournament in snooker behind the World Championship and Masters. Speaking after his epic 10-9 quarter-final win over young UK champion Zhao Xintong on Monday evening from 8-4 behind, Higgins warmed to the theme of what constitutes a genuine snooker major.

Ad/> While the self-styled 'Triple Crown' of the World, Masters and UK Championship have been unquestionably promoted by the BBC and World Snooker Tour over the past decade – with players also sporting an emblem if they complete the treble in their respective careers – the Scotsman, one of only 11 men to achieve the feat, rejects the suggestion they are the three key titles. Tour ChampionshipTour Championship LIVE – O'Sullivan leads old foe Williams in last eight7 HOURS AGO The 31-time ranking event winner has placed the World Championship, the invitational Masters, involving the top 16 in the world rankings, and the Tour Championship – fought out between the top eight on the game's one-year list – as the three most prestigious on the professional circuit.

«It has taken over the UK Championship without a shadow of a doubt,» insisted Higgins, who is aiming to end a memorable season with victory in Llandudno before he chases a fifth world title next month. /> 'It doesn't make sense' – Trump explains why snooker's Triple Crown Series has major problem Why Bingham is already a snooker great without 'Triple Crown' logo Trump not motivated by Triple Crown titles «When I turned professional, you were maybe past your best in your late 30s,» said Higgins, who qualified for the Tour Championship alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams, a remarkable 30 years after the 'Class of '92'