Causier is Champion Again in Scotland

David Causier claimed the opening World Billiards title of the new decade after defending the Scottish Open at Styx in Kirkcaldy last month. 

Nearly 50 players representing eight different nations took part in the level 3 world ranking event that was held across two busy days. Causier was making his first appearance on the circuit since the World Championship in Australia last October, but that did not hinder him as he breezed through Saturday’s round robin stage, qualifying top of Group B with a maximum of four wins. 

Causier began Sunday’s knockout rounds with an 871-131 victory over Paul Whelan (Scotland), where he top scored with a break of 251, before chalking up a quartet of centuries in eliminating fellow Englishman Steve Brookshaw 800-258 in the last eight. The former multiple-time world champion then registered the highest break of the weekend – a 264 – as he denied recent Austrian Open finalist Christian Kirk (Northern Ireland) 817-273 in the semi-finals. 

In a repeat of last year’s final, Causier’s opponent would be none other than the world number one and new world champion Peter Gilchrist. 

Also returning to the tour since his fourth career world title triumph in Melbourne, Gilchrist had also advanced through the competition undefeated, securing a spot in the final following a 646-302 defeat of Tommy Hunter (Northern Ireland) in the last four. 

However, the 90-minute final was a step too far for the Singaporean representative, as Causier – who was looking to avenge a world championship semi-final loss to Gilchrist from a few months previously – racked up efforts of 170 and a 136 unfinished in a 619-350 success to retain the Elden Cup. 

In the Scottish Open Challenge Cup, England’s Chris Coumbe defeated Dale Jones, Alan Shepherd and Paul McGowan before a run of 86 helped him record a 170-134 win over Ron Bickerdike (England) in the final. 

Dragon Business Support Services and R.B. Grant Electrical Contractors sponsored the event.