World Ranking: 4
Provisional Ranking: 5
Date Of Birth: 18/05/75
World Championship best: Winner - 1998

With 15 to his name, Higgins stands third on the all-time list as far as ranking titles go.

However, he has failed to go on to dominate the game as many had predicted when he first burst on to the scene in the mid-90s.

His Crucible triumph of 1998 has never been followed up and that remains a source of frustration to the 'Wizard of Wishaw'.

In fact Higgins has not won a ranking title of any kind since 2001, which cannot bode well for a second triumph in Sheffield.

He did go close earlier this term, losing to Mark Williams in the LG Cup final.

And his form has not been bad throughout - Higgins reached the semis at The Masters as well as making three other quarter-final appearances at various venues.

Has been handed a decent draw, so should be around in the second week at least.