Gary Wilson perplexed as ‘yips’ contribute to ‘absolutely useless’ performance in win over Joe O’Connor

Gary Wilson beat Joe O’Connor 4-3 in the last 32 at the Scottish Open but said he was “at a loss” after an “absolutely useless” performance.

The pair were meeting in a repeat of last year’s final, which Wilson won, but until he beat O’Connor he had yet to get past the second round in a ranking tournament so far this season.

Two half centuries helped him to a victory against O’Connor but it was a far from dominant performance, and speaking to Eurosport after his win, Wilson readily acknowledged he was far from his best.

He said: “I was absolutely useless, in honesty, I was very lucky, Joe couldn’t finish me off. I’m smiling but I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how I got the four [frames].”

Wilson even mentioned that he had the dreaded “yips” which can be debilitating for those who play sport at any level, adding: “It feels like I can’t control my cue arm at all, I’ve got a form of the yips. It seems to be getting progressively worse.

“Now I just feel like I’m not even controlling what I’m doing, it’s horrible. I’m just hitting them really quick, I’ve got no timing at all, throwing my cue at them. You can’t play snooker like that.”

He continued: “I get the feeling over the years people haven’t listened, they think it’s just in your head. It’s just a problem I’ve got and I can’t seem to help it.

“I’m not even practising to the level I’m used to, I’m still doing it in practice as well. When you’re bringing it into your practice game, when there’s no pressure, then you think there’s really got to be something up there.

“I’ve tried all sorts. Some of it probably comes to changing that many things that I don’t even know where I am anymore. Part of it is probably sticking with something and going with it, but each time it still creeps in. I’m sort of at a loss, I don’t really know what to do.”

Wilson will return to action on Thursday evening as he takes on Rory Thor for a chance to reach the final eight.