SNOOKER’S World number two Judd Trump claimed his first Champion of Champions title in Bolton last weekend and labelled the tournament’s atmosphere as one of the best he has experienced.

Trump lost just five frames all week at the Bolton Whites Hotel at the University of Bolton Stadium, beating David Lilley and Ryan Day on Monday before a 6-0 whitewash of Kyren WIlson in his semi-final on Friday.

In the final he went into the evening session 5-4 up against John Higgins and won five successive frames to make it third-time lucky after two previous final losses in the tournament.

It capped a fine week for the ‘Ace in the Pack’ and he was quick to praise the crowd who packed in at the UniBol all week.

Trump said: “It’s an amazing feeling to get this one under my belt.

“The crowd here has been amazing for a new venue. The support has been superb for every player, I think.

“We both felt that the noise was amazing. It was so exciting to play in a final.

“I felt like I was in a bit of a drought that everyone keeps saying. John has been amazing all season.

“I think John was in control early on but missed one or two he wouldn’t normally miss.

“Any win against John is incredible. He was always someone I admired when I was growing up.”

Higgins said: “I thought Judd was awesome. If I am being hypercritical. When I went 3-1 up, I had a couple of chances that you’ve got to capitalise on against somebody as good as Judd, but I went walkabout for three or four frames.

“Judd just grew and grew in strength and then he just blitzed me tonight. Far too good.

“I’d like to give a special mention to the Bolton crowd.

“For the whole week, I think for all the players, the atmosphere they’ve created it’s been one of the best weeks I’ve played as a snooker professional, every credit to them. Brilliant.”