John Higgins: Snooker players can pocket wads of cash, I wish I was younger

John Higgins wishes he could reverse time, and pocket a lot more money from snooker.

Four-time world champion Higgins is a big name in the UK Championship this week in York, with the winner pocketing a £250,000 cheque.

Available prize money on the World Snooker Tour has rocketed in recent years, with new tournaments around the globe swelling the cash pot to around £19m.

The Saudi Arabia Masters offered the same £500,000 as the World Championship, and China has hosted a number of wealthy events.

And promoter Barry Hearn recently revealed he reckons a winner’s prize could hit £1m for the first time in the near future.

Wizard of Wishaw Higgins knows his illustrious career is coming to an end at 49, and reckons if he were appearing on the scene now, he would benefit quite a bit more from career earnings.

“I wish I was 20 years younger, I really do. It’s a great time for everybody playing the game,” said World No.14 Higgins, who turned professional in 1992.

“Some of these newer events are as big as anything. You’ve got the history of the UK and Masters, but these big events in Saudi and Chinese events have massive prize money.

“They all are major tournaments, now.”

Higgins, who is chasing a fourth UK title, added: “There are a few things happening off the table now that people are coming to you with.

“There are opportunities within the game and different things.

“I’ve always said that someone like Ronnie O’Sullivan, he’s in demand – it’s a bit like the Tiger Woods moment in golf.

“Snooker is getting bigger, so the biggest names attract the biggest money.

“For the rest, the money filters down.

“There are more people maybe coming to you now with more opportunities.

“That would probably keep me in the game longer, and I’d also