Causier Successfully Defends English Open Billiards Title
In a meeting of the planet’s top two ranked players, world champion David Causier defeated world number one Peter Gilchrist 682-405 in the final to win and retain the 2023 Landywood English Open.
A level 3 ranked World Billiards Tour event, 60 players took part at the popular Landywood Snooker Club – the host for the weekend’s action and tournament sponsor.
Causier defeated players representing four different countries during the groups stage, coming top of Group B with four wins out of four. During this phase he compiled several century breaks, including a triple of 308.
In the knockout rounds, Englishman Causier moved straight to the last 16 where he eliminated New Zealand’s Grant Hayward 971-85, top scoring with an effort of 326.
The 50-year-old then upped his points tally as he registered runs of 341 and 351 during a 1141-125 quarter-final win against Martin Gawthop before hitting the highest break of the tournament – exactly 500 – in a 1022-208 success over John Mullane.
Gilchrist also reached the title match with a 100% record having won Group A and subsequent knockout round victories against John Hughes (455-281), Martin Goodwill (645-214) and Peter Sheehan (673-338).
However, in the latest chapter of their fascinating career rivalry, Causier was the one lifting the trophy, as he crafted a break of 347 to set himself up and later convert for a successful title defence.
In the Landywood English Open Challenge Cup, Chris Mitchell ousted Alex Donne 141-118 in the final to secure the accolade.
Next up on the circuit is the sport’s blue riband event, the 2023 World Billiards Championship which takes place at Landywood between October 16-19. A full tournament preview can be read here.
