Gutted Mark Allen was left feeling 'sick' as a dog after he was pipped at the post for snooker’s £150,000 Euro Series bonus.
The Northern Irish potter finished joint top with four-time world champion John Higgins after they both crashed out at the last 32 stage of last week’s Gibraltar Open.
The Antrim star believes the tasty bonus should have been shared due to the fact they were level on £101,000 on the rankings ladder after eight qualifying events.
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But it was Higgins who was laughing all the way to the bank when he pocketed the prize pot on a controversial count back rule after performing better at the European Masters.
“It would make sense to split the bonus,” said Allen. “I’d understand if John had gone a round further than me in Gibraltar and then that meant he was level because of that.
“It’s strange to me that they’ve had to go back a few events to decide it. But we knew the situation going to Gibraltar.
“It’s a strange way to decide it, but I knew going into Gibraltar that I had to go a round further than John.
“It’s a strange way the way they do it, but it is what it is. I have no excuses because I had my chances and I didn’t do it myself.”
The bonus would have been a welcome financial boost for Allen who has endured a period to forget after bankruptcy issues and divorce proceedings.
But it was double delight for Higgins as Robert Milkins winning the maiden ranking title of his 27-year career meant the Scot also sneaked into this week’s elite eight-man Tour Championship by the skin of his teeth.
Four-time world champion Higgins, who opens the tournament against UK champion Zhao Xintong today, admitted: “I fully understand that I’m a lucky so and so!
“If I’d missed out on the bonus and the Tour Championship that’s the way the cards would have fallen. I’d have no-one else to blame but myself.
“If someone had said at the start of the bonus that you’d earn around £100,000 then you’d think you’d be nowhere near good enough to win the prize. I’m a lucky boy, a very lucky boy.”
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