Having lost previous Masters finals in 2018 and 2025, England’s Kieren Wilson won her first title at Alexandra Palace, defeating Scotland’s John Higgins 10-6 in the final; The 50-year-old Higgins failed to live up to the standard he had earlier in the tournament; Wilson had the courage to lift the trophy
Last updated: 18/01/26 23:11
Kyren Wilson won the first Masters title of his career, defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final
Kyren Wilson won the Masters title for the first time on Sunday, defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final at Alexander Palace.
At 50, Higgins had hoped to become the oldest ever winner of the Triple Crown, but for much of the final he was a shadow of the player who knocked out world champion Zhao Sintong and world No. 1 Judd Trump, making numerous unforced errors.
World No.2 Wilson won several key frames in the closing stages as he came from 5-4 down to win five of his last seven.
Kettering’s Wilson suffered a painful 10-7 final defeat by Sean Murphy in last year’s final and also lost the 2018 final to Mark Allen by the same scoreline but went all the way to snooker’s biggest title at the third time of asking.
He becomes the 26th winner of the tournament which was first organized in 1975, lifting the Paul Hunter trophy and cashing in the £350,000 top prize.
Just seven weeks ago at the UK Championships, Wilson was in despair after losing to Elliot Lessor in the first round. Wife Sophie had health problems, while on the table Wilson lost both his form and his stick – which accidentally broke.
With determination and endurance, he fought his way back from that low point and can now celebrate one of the best moments of his career, perhaps second only to his triumph at the 2024 World Cup.
Higgins, the oldest ever finalist in the Triple Crown event, is missing out on a third Masters title after lifting the trophy in 1999 and 2006 and has now lost four of his six finals. The Scot also missed out on a first treble since winning his fourth World Cup in 2011; since then he has lost five finals in these three historic events.
Trailing 5-3 after the first session, Higgins broke tonight with a 71 in the opening frame to close the gap. He trailed 36-48 in the next when he went for a risky double on the penultimate red, but he hit a further fork in the center pocket and Wilson took advantage for 6-4.
Higgins, 50, failed to live up to the standards he had earlier in the tournament
Higgins led 61-15 in the 11th when he missed a routine black and Wilson then got the snooker he needed and had a chance to clear but failed to win the final pin. The safety scramble ended when Wilson cut the long pot and entered the play, allowing a relieved Higgins to enter the pink.
In the 12th, Higgins once again missed the black from his point on a break of 15, and his opponent’s run of 49 left him 7-5 ahead at the interval.
Frame 13 came down to the colors and Higgins made a safety mistake on the brown, leaving it over the top corner allowing Wilson to go three clear for the first time.
A run of 78 extended his lead and the Englishman had a chance to win the next match, but with well-placed balls he missed the black from his spot on 17. Higgins, who came from 9-5 down to beat Mark Williams 10-9 in the 2010 UK final, gave himself hope with a run of 70.
And he had an early chance in the 16th frame, but made just 12, and the decisive moment came when Wilson, leading 44-12, drove into the red center and added 24 to put him in the winning position.
Wilson: I never take it easy, but I fight to the end | Higgins: I was useless in the last session
“In 2018 I lost in the final and cried – I’m trying not to cry now because it means so much to me,” Wilson told the BBC.
“It’s just been an absolute struggle and I’ve tried to be as persistent as John has been over the years – I’m glad he was able to give it to me for a change.”
“I never make it easy on myself, I always seem to do it the hard way. I don’t know why, it frustrates the hell out of me – but I’ll always do my best. Even if I struggle, I’ll fight until I finally get my hands on the silverware.”
Wilson previously lost the Masters finals in 2018 and 2025
After the loss, Higgins said: “The crowd was fantastic. Going in tonight was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a snooker player. The conditions were absolutely fantastic too. I was just useless!”
“But not taking credit away from Kyren – he was by far the better player. He was totally dominant today 10-6.”
“It’s disappointing because the last two finals I’ve played in I’ve been gone like a light. It’s been a good week and I’ve enjoyed myself. I’m just disappointed with the way I performed in the final but listen tonight is Kyren’s night so congratulations to him. He’s a great champion.”