Cardiff, Feb 23 (IANS): John Higgins won the Welsh Open for a record fourth time by beating Ben Woollaston 9-3 in the final here.

The victory also Sunday completed a ranking title drought of 29 months since the 2012 Shanghai Masters, reports Xinhua. The 39-year-old improved his career tally of ranking titles to 26, just behind Ronnie O'Sullivan (27) and Steve Davis (28).

He pocketed the 60,000 pounds of top prize after out-playing underdog Woollaston in the final.

"In the last two years I didn't think it could happen again. I'm delighted. Nothing went right for Ben today. The biggest frame of the match was the eighth when I fluked the green. If it had been 4-4 it might have been different tonight," said Higgins.

"Overall I've played some good matches this week, and when I haven't played well I have dug in and kept going. To be sitting here with a trophy is a great feeling. This gives me a lot of confidence that I can compete with the top players."