From a career high of 12, McGill had even been in danger of relegation from the tour, but he is already guaranteed a return to the top 50.

When Higgins took the fifth frame with a break of 111, the former world champion looked to be in the groove.

However, McGill proved the steadier of the two and a 104 break in the eighth and a 93 break in the ninth secured victory.

In, Saturday’s other semi-final, Murphy was looking to end a 26-month drought without a ranking title. The 43-year-old got off to a superb start against four-time world champion Selby, winning the first three frames.

Selby fought back to take the fourth frame with a break of 123, but Murphy soon regained control.

He won a tense fifth frame, coming from 54-0 down, before wrapping the match up with a break of 93 to book his place in Sunday’s showpiece and a chance to win the £100,000 top prize.

Murphy said he was “delighted” with his performance, adding: “I’ve had a very tough draw to get to the final but hopefully that hasn’t taken too much out of me.

“It has been a while since I won a ranking event so it would be nice to pick up another one.”