Barry Hawkins' previous victory in the Welsh Open is overshadowed by injury hindering his current progress.

Barry Hawkins, the Welsh Open champion, is set to make his comeback in Manchester on Monday. Just a few weeks ago, he lifted the Welsh Open title in Llandudno, marking his fifth ranking event win. However, since then, an injury has slowed his progress and he admits that the memory of his victory is already starting to fade.

In order to secure the Welsh Open title, Hawkins had to overcome challenging opponents such as Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, and Wu Yize. What's more, he was struggling with a back injury and was on the verge of pulling out of the tournament. It was only after encouragement from fellow players Mark Selby and Neil Robertson that he decided to push through the pain and take painkillers.

The risk paid off, but the injury persisted and forced him to withdraw from the World Open in Yushan. As a result, Hawkins feels like he has lost the momentum he gained from his win in Llandudno. When asked about his confidence going into the next tournament, the Tour Championship, Hawkins told Metro, "It's funny you should say that because it's mad.

That tournament seems like a distant memory already, it's weird." He adds, "It would have been nice to go into the next tournament in China coming off the back of a win, but I just couldn't go. My back was just too sore." Despite taking a week off to rest and do stretches, Hawkins was unable to practice due to the stiffness and soreness in his back. An osteopath has diagnosed Hawkins with a disc bulge and the pain has been gradually improving.

"It's a lot better," says Hawkins. "When I was at the Welsh, it was painful every morning. Getting out of bed was a nightmare, I couldn't put my shoes or socks on." The world number 11 is optimistic that he will be fully recovered in time for the Tour Championship.

After lifting the Ray Reardon trophy, Hawkins indulged in some celebratory drinks with friends. However, he may have overdone it with the tequila and ended up passing out before midnight. "I had a sore head on the way home from Llandudno in the car.

That wasn't nice," he jokes. Looking ahead, Hawkins has a mixed record at the World Championship in Sheffield. He lost in the first round on his first five visits, but then went on a remarkable run, making four semi-finals and a final in six years.

However, in the last four years, he has suffered three first round defeats and failed to qualify for the Crucible in 2021. Reflecting on his past performances, Hawkins says, "When I look back, it's an amazing record, really. But since then it's been very disappointing." He hopes to break this streak and make a strong comeback at the upcoming World Championship.