But the gifted Scot ended that three-month drought with a 4-0 whitewash of Dubliner Michael Judge match at this year’s £13,500 event at the Ormonde Hotel.

The Wishaw potter was beaten 4-2 by Northern Ireland’s Gerard Greene in his first best-of-seven frame group match, so needed to win his final qualifying group match 4-0 in order to progress.

And the provisional world number three did exactly that with breaks of 135, 73 and 56, although at 2-0 up he looked to be on the verge of conceding what would have proved to be a killer frame.

But the battling Scot dug deep to down Dubliner Michael Judge 4-0 to secure his place in the next phase today alongside fellow Scots Stephen Hendry and Graeme Dott.

“I went 2-0 up, but I basically thought it was all over when I needed two snookers,” said the Wishaw potter.

“I knew what to do, I had to win 4-0, but I was under pressure. That win could be the turning point of my season.”

Higgins reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship before Christmas, but since then has failed to make an impressive at any of the following three tournaments.

Understandably, victory has given the former world champion plenty of much-needed confidence.

“Winning like that gives me great satisfaction,” he added.

“That win has given plenty of confidence. I started well and had a good break, but that’s my first win this year, so I’ve got to be happy. It’s nice to be in the quarters.”

Also through to this year’s quarter-finals is Beckenham’s Barry Hawkins, a former Grand Prix semi-finalist.

The left-hander defeated local favourite David Morris 4-3 earlier in the day and then proved too strong for golden oldie Jimmy White, a 4-2 winner to maintain his 100% record on Irish soil.

Both Higgins and Hawkins now joined seeded players Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty in the last eight.