STUART Bingham will begin his quest for Scottish Open success today still on a high from his fine showing at the UK Championships.

Bingham, who is from Bowers Gifford, progressed to the semi-finals in York before losing a final frame decider against Mark Allen.

But Bingham can take plenty of confidence from his run to the final four.

“My game is in good shape and I’m looking forward to the Scottish Open this week now,” said the 2015 World Champion.

“I felt like I played well in that match (the semi-final).

“I had one chance I let slip at 4-2 and if you don’t take chances the game seems to punish you.

“I didn’t really do much wrong and it’s hard to take.

“A couple of things went against me but winning my first match secured my place at the Masters and pushed me up the rankings too.

“There’s so much more to play for too.”

That starts tonight with Bingham facing Tian Pengfei in the first round of the Scottish Open at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

And Bingham is expecting a tricky first round tie.

“I’m looking forward to playing again,” said Bingham.

“It’s going to be tough because I rate him very highly but I look forward to every game I have at the moment.

“It will be a difficult game and I’ll have to keep on playing the way I have been to get through.”

But Bingham is determined to keep on doing well.

“I want to push up to 10 or 12 in the world and not be sweating on other results ahead of the World Championships,” said Bingham.

“I’m feeling confident and that bodes well.”

However, looking further ahead, Bingham faces a tough first round tie at the Masters having been paired with Ronnie O’Sullivan in yesterday’s draw.

O’Sullivan, who won his first UK Championship in 1993 at the age of 17, now has 19 ‘Triple Crown’ event titles - the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters - surpassing Stephen Hendry’s record after winning Sunday’s final against Mark Allen.

And Bingham is in awe of O’Sullivan’s achievements.

“He should be on 10 world titles, he’s that good,” said Bingham.

“He’s just phenomenal person to have in the game. He’s put snooker back on the map but the sooner he retires the better!”

>Bingham was talking to the BallRun podcast on his official website stuartbingham.com