Jack Lisowski unlocks six-figure Home Nations bonus jackpot after reaching Welsh Open final

Lisowski ousted John Higgins, 6-5, in a thrilling climax at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno to reach the 2026 Welsh Open final, where he will face Barry Hawkins on Sunday for the title, £100,000 winner’s purse, and The Ray Reardon Trophy.

However, in the process of reaching his eighth career ranking event final, Lisowski also won the six-figure Home Nations bonus - his biggest single payday on the baize.

Having trailed 3-1 at the mid-session interval, Englishman Lisowski was fantastic on resumption, producing a sizzling three-frame burst with breaks of 95, 79 and 138 to lead 4-3.

Higgins - who was aiming for his second ranking final appearance in as many weekends - restored parity with an 82, but fell behind again after a 58 from his opponent. The 50-year-old Scot, though, took frame ten to force the contest all the way.

Huge stakes for both players, with one frame to decide who went through to the title match, but for Lisowski, he was also playing for the additional bonus prize which is awarded to the player who earns the most cumulative money across that season’s four Home Nations events - the English, Northern Ireland, Scottish, and Welsh Opens.

Rooting for Higgins would have been Mark Allen - winner of the English Open in Brentwood - who was in pole position to collect the jackpot.

But despite winning or losing the deciding frame being a difference of £174,000 to Lisowski (£150k bonus, and the £24,000 difference in prizes between the semis and final), the 34-year-old’s message was ‘no fear’, as he played shackle-free, potting several huge balls in a match-winning run of 78 to take the tie.

Having lost his first six ranking event finals, Lisowski secured his maiden ranking title earlier this season at the Northern Ireland Open at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast when he pipped world number one Judd Trump, 9-8, in the final. The triumph was a particularly emotional one, having faced his good friend Trump, and coming just months after the unexpected death of his father.

‘Jackpot’ can now double his tally on Sunday in North Wales, although it won’t be an easy task against world number 14 Hawkins who is aiming for his fifth ranking crown.

Coming into this week’s Welsh Open, five players could still collect the Home Nations bonus prize. Allen has been top of the standings since his English success last September, but destiny was out of his hands when he lost his opening match to David Grace.

Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin’s hopes went in the first televised round, while Chang Bingyu - despite an exceptional performance as he whitewashed Shaun Murphy, 4-0, on Tuesday with four centuries and a 100% pot success rate - exited the race in the last 32.

Like Chang, Zhou Yuelong also needed the Welsh title to scoop the extra purse; he gave it a good go in making the quarters, but was swept aside by Higgins, 5-0.

That meant the only remaining player who could usurp Allen in the order or merit was Lisowski, with his semi-final encounter against the four-time world champion being an all-or-nothing affair on that front.

Sunday’s best of 17 frames final will be played across afternoon (13:00GMT) and evening (19:00GMT) sessions.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Welsh Open, visit here.