John Higgins (snooker player) title, which prompted Steve Davis to comment "I think John Higgins is the best snooker player I've ever seen in my life". Despite the victory, Higgins lost the world number one ranking to Mark Williams. Higgins had a poor 2011/2012 season, reaching only two quarter finals of major ranking events. His season-best performance was reaching the semi-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 to Shaun Murphy. Before the start of his World Championship title defence, he admitted that his performance levels had not been good enough and that he had not been trying hard enough, managing just one or
1999 Grand Prix (snooker) were allocated to players based on the world rankings. Round of 128 Best of 9 frames Round of 96 Best of 9 frames 1999 Grand Prix (snooker) The 1999 Grand Prix was a professional snooker tournament and the second of nine WPBSA ranking events in the 1999/2000 season, following the British Open and preceding the UK Championship. It was held from 11 to 24 October 1999 at the Guild Hall in Preston, England. Stephen Lee was the defending champion, but he lost his last 32 match against Tony Drago. John Higgins won his 11th ranking title by defeating Mark Williams