Liam Highfield is playing as well as ever and is breaking new ground at 35 years old after losing his professional status just two years ago.
The Stoke native turned pro as a teenager in 2010 and had an unbroken stint on tour until 2024, gradually making progress to a high point of number 39 in the rankings in ’22.
Everything changed in 2023, though, when he broke his wrist in an e-scooter accident and he was off the tour the following year as a result.
Returning to amateur status in his 30s could have been the end of Highfield’s career, but far from it as he regrouped and regained pro status by winning both the Q Tour Playoffs and EBSA European Championship.
He qualified for the Crucible at the end of his first season back and is now into a first ranking semi-final at the British Open, where he will take on Mark Selby on Saturday.
A 5-2 win over Stan Moody on Friday got him there and he is in confident mood after a string of good results already this season.
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‘It felt good. I’ve played well all season, really,’ Highfield told Metro. ‘At the back end of last season I played great. Everything seems to be working and I’m in a good place.
‘Generally, even when I’m playing bad, I’m digging in a bit more and getting some results.’
As a player who has always had plenty of talent and spent 14 years straight on tour after first turning pro, it is a bit of a surprise this is his first semi-final.
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Having great potential has proved both a blessing and a curse for Highfield so far in his career.
‘My ceiling is maybe higher than what I’ve shown, but that’s also my Achilles heel,’ he said. ‘When your ceiling’s high, expectation can be high.
‘Maybe in the past, my ceiling’s been high, so I go for too many balls, then it trips you up if you’re not flying. So, yeah, my strengths are my weaknesses sometimes.’
Former German Masters champion and top 16 player Anthony Hamilton has been signed up as coach and mentor and is someone who is helping Highfield deal with expectations of himself.
‘I think he sees it a bit like that as well,’ said Highfield. ‘So a few things have changed. I work really hard as well, which is a big help.’
A very well-liked character on the snooker scene, Hamilton has been a positive presence for Highfield, even if it is because they both see things negatively.
‘I can take the mick out of him as much as anything and he doesn’t care!’ Highfield said on why it’s good to have the Sheriff of Pottingham around.
‘Just someone to take the mick with but also someone who’s been there for years.
‘And I think we’re similar characters in some ways, quite negative and pessimistic. But that’s all right as well, you don’t have to be a super positive sports person.’
An improved attitude and dedication has been a big part of the Highfield resurgence, helped by the shock of falling off tour and recalibration that brought.
A year ago he welcomed his daughter to the world and that has sharpened the focus as well.
‘Obviously I had that year off and that maybe humbles you a little bit after being on the tour for so many years,’ he said, ‘I’m just trying to prove a point and see if I can get back up to where I was a few years ago in the rankings. I think I’m a much better player than I was then.
‘I obviously had my years partying a bit and enjoyed my younger years, but I had a little girl, she’s a year now, so that changes things. Someone to provide for, someone to try a lot harder for.’
He will certainly have to try hard against Selby in the semis on Saturday, a four-time world champion who has been in fine form so far this season, winning the China Open.
‘He’s someone who, not only I’m obviously playing in a semi and wanting to win, but it’s someone who I can play and maybe pick up one or two things that could make me a better player,’ said Highfield. ‘Hopefully I give him a game.’
Selby is expecting a challenge from Highfield, who he has known and rated highly for many years.
‘I’ve known him for a long time, you know, he used to come to Willy Thorne’s for the junior events when he was 12 or 13, so I’ve known him for a very long time and he’s always been a great player,’ said Selby.
‘Every time I watch him he always seems to play well, but doesn’t seem to get to the back end of tournaments, so it doesn’t surprise me that all of a sudden he’s now started doing it.
‘And he’s working with Anthony as well, who’s a great head to have around, he’s obviously experienced in the game, so he’s giving him some good advice.’
On Highfield having plenty more to give in the game, Selby said: ‘Oh, for sure. You watch him and I think he’s got a great all-round game, he scores, his safety’s decent, so I think he’s got all the attributes to do well in the game.
‘But you can have all the talent in the world and sometimes if you haven’t got the mental strength then you can’t do it, and then sometimes you don’t have all the talent in the world and you’re really strong mentally and you do better than other people who have got more talent than you. You need to have both.’
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Liam Highfield lifts lid on resurgence from losing tour card to first semi-final
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