One week after finishing runner-up in the UK Championship, Mark Allen beat Shaun Murphy 9-7 in an engrossing Scottish Open final.
Throughout two sessions on Sunday it was clear that there was little between in-form Allen and a resurgent Murphy, and so it proved at 7-7 in a race to nine frames.
A 134 clearance from Allen saw him move back in front and after a miscue from Murphy, he was able to move into a tournament-winning position.
Then came an outrageous fluke on the pink to effectively seal victory.
"It's not the way I wanted to win," said Allen, who is good friends with Murphy.
"My family and my friends support me wherever I go," he added. "I've had worse fortnights. The money is great, but I just want to compete for tournaments. I just want to win."
Murphy had looked in the driving seat when he edged ahead 7-6, but it was not to be for the former world champion.
"If you'd offered me this last week, low part of my career, I'd have snapped your hand off," he said. "It's sore, but a massive turnaround.
"I have to say, that's what great champions do. I was 7-6 ahead, the next time I saw a shot was in that frame (final frame) just there.
"That was a great match and, as I say, that's what great champions do."
Allen owed his place in the final thanks to a stunning comeback win against Daniel Wells, and made an immediate statement with a 110 break.
Murphy twice levelled before leading at 3-2, only for breaks of 82, 64 and 70 to see the Northern Irishman move into a clear lead heading into the evening.
That became 6-3 but Murphy was not done with, rattling off four frames in succession - including when making a 115 break in the 12th - to take the lead once more.
Allen again recovered, though, and breaks of 66, 134 and 83 saw him earn compensation for defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan in York.
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