Snooker
Masters 2026: John Higgins Says Daughter Passing Her Driving Test Is Week’s Biggest Win
Two-time Masters champion John Higgins kicked off 2026 with a 6-2 win over Barry Hawkins, but the real highlight of his week came off the table, his 17-year-old daughter, Claudia, passed her driving test.
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Two-time Masters champion John Higgins began his 2026 campaign with a dazzling 6-2 victory over the ever-reliable Barry Hawkins.
Twenty years on from his last win at the prestigious event, the legendary Scot still possesses the same fire in his belly that made him a snooker great in 2006.
When asked whether the 30-year-old version of himself back then would have imagined still competing, and winning, major titles 20 years later, Higgins admitted it was beyond his wildest dreams.
"I wouldn't. And I've said that before and I'm proud that I'm still capable of doing that,” Higgins told SportsBoom.co.uk.
Family Milestone Outshines Snooker Glory
Despite the Masters being a major event, Higgins revealed that it wasn’t the most important moment in his household this week.
On Monday, his daughter, Claudia, 17, who will turn 18 in June, passed her practical driving test back home in Scotland.
For Higgins, that personal milestone eclipsed any professional achievement.
“Yes of course, I get nervous every single time I get here [Alexandra Palace]. But we were really nervous waiting for her yesterday to come back. It was great news when she jumped out of the car, with the passed piece of paper. So proud.”
Due to his hectic snooker schedule, Higgins wasn’t able to take Claudia out for practice. His wife, Denise, however, helped prepare her for the test, on top of her driving lessons.
“No, my wife had been out with her. With me working away, it was better her just hearing one voice more voice on top of her driving lessons.”
A New Car, and Memories of the First
Higgins didn’t reveal exactly which car he bought Claudia but confirmed it’s a significant upgrade from his own first vehicle.
“It certainly is. She’ll need to do her chores to keep it,” he joked.
He also fondly recalled his first-ever car, even remembering the registration plate, a memory every first-time driver shares.
“Mine was a Vauxhall Nova. 1.2 litre injection and I thought it was the best thing in the world.”
“K662 RGD, that was the registration plate. I think every person remembers their first registration plate, that was mine,” he concluded.
Louis Hobbs is the Sports Editor at SportsBoom, overseeing daily coverage across a wide range of sports while shaping the site’s editorial direction and breaking news agenda.
When he’s not editing the website from home or SportsBoom’s London office, Louis can usually be found in the darts or snooker press room. He has covered both sports extensively for SportsBoom, reporting live from venues for over three years and building strong relationships across the professional circuits.
With a background in interviews, exclusives and live event reporting, Louis combines on-the-ground insight with sharp editorial judgement to ensure SportsBoom delivers authoritative, engaging and timely sports journalism.