Mark King won the inaugural Northern Ireland Open on Sunday night, clinching a final-frame decider against Barry Hawkins in Belfast.
The 42-year-old turned professional in 1991, but only won his first ranking title after a 9-8 win over Hawkins in the Titanic Exhibition Centre.
Part of the newly created 'Home Series', King won the second of a series of four tournaments, which includes the newly-created English Open along with the Scottish and Welsh Opens.
WINNER 🆠@markking147 wins the 2016 @Coral Northern Ireland Open in Belfast!
Congratulations Mark! #CoralNIOpen pic.twitter.com/MAcu4FTEFP
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) November 21, 2016
King came from 5-1 down, but won six in a row, to take a 7-5 lead. Hawkins eventually closed the gap to 8-7, before winning the penultimate frame on a re-spotted black.
In the final frame, the World ranked number 35 won 84-33 to seal a well-deserved and very popular win.
After the match, King, who has suffered in recent years with a gambling addiction, thanked his wife Sally for supporting him, through his issues.
"I used to compulsively gamble and she stuck with me. She has been an absolute rock."
💬 @markking147 reacts to winning his first ranking title in 25 years on tour, scooping £70,000 top prize in Belfast! #CoralNIOpen @coral pic.twitter.com/Yv3JI505sv
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) November 21, 2016
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