Mark Allen admitted he "fell over the line" after eventually seeing off Judd Trump to win the World Grand Prix on Sunday night.
The Antrim potter held his nerve in the final frame to clinch a 10-9 win at the Centaur Arena in Cheltenham.
It was a nerve-racking ending for Allen, who led 7-2 and then 8-4 before Trump rallied to force a final-frame decider.
Read more: Glen ponder appeal after controversial All-Ireland Club final defeat to Kilmacud
"I don't know about nerves, but I was shaking like a s***ting dog there," Allen joked afterwards.
"I actually said to Judd at the end, he had me completely gone. It is not often I go, I feel I am good under pressure.
"But I was completely gone. Some of the balls he potted there were ridiculous at times. I had him in trouble at 8-5, and there was a shot most players would get one in a thousand, but Judd seems to get them a lot.
"He put me under all sorts of pressure there, and I fell over the line. It would have been heartbreaking to lose after being 7-2 up.
"Judd is a great competitor and came back. he started looking so comfortable out there, so I am proud to get over the line. But I have felt better."
Allen becomes only the 10th player in history to win three ranking titles in the same season, with Sunday's win elevating him to a career-high third in the world rankings.
"I really struggled most of the week, but probably played some of my best snooker to go 7-2 up early in the final," Allen added.
"That is probably the only time this week I have felt comfortable.
"As long as I keep reaching the business end of tournaments when I am not at my best, then I will do damage when my best comes."
READ NEXT:
- Frustrated O'Hara hits out at Cliftonville's 'unacceptable' record this season
Oran Kearney backs his goalkeeper after uncharacteristic Solitude slip
-
Former Dungannon Swifts star commits future to Derby County
Tiernan Lynch pays tribute to players after incident-packed final
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
