Welsh Open: Stephen Maguire edges Stuart Bingham in thriller

Stephen Maguire edged out Stuart Bingham in a thrilling match to win the Welsh Open at the Newport Centre.

The Scot won 9-8 as both men battled for control after going into the final evening session at 4-4.

"I forgot what it felt like to be a winner at the end of a tournament - it's the best feeling ever," Maguire said.

Bingham added: "Stephen played really well to come back and he showed his spirit so congratulations to him."

Maguire held his nerve going into the final frame decider at 8-8 to claim his first ranking event title since 2008.

World number six Maguire had been in control during the day's first session, going 4-2 up, but Englishman Bingham took five out of the following six frames as the match moved into a tense evening.

At 7-5 ahead, world number 10 Bingham missed a crucial shot, leaving Maguire to take advantage.

Maguire did not look back, taking the following two frames to be within one of victory at 8-7.

Bingham gave the delighted crowd a deciding frame when he levelled, but Maguire's imperious 82 saw him home.

"I've been playing snooker non-stop since the new year and I'm match sharp," said Maguire before lifting the Welsh Open trophy.

He added: "It's getting harder to win tournaments and I thought I had thrown it away. It would've been hard to take if I had lost that one."