Masters: Kyren Wilson holds on to beat John Higgins to win maiden title at Alexandra Palace | Snooker News

Having lost in previous Masters finals in 2018 and 2025, England’s Kyren Wilson clinched his first title at Alexandra Palace, defeating Scotland’s John Higgins 10-6 in the final; The 50-year-old Higgins failed to perform at the level he had earlier in the tournament; Wilson mustered up the courage to lift the trophy

Kyren Wilson claimed his first Masters title on Sunday, beating John Higgins 10-6 in the final at Alexandra Palace.

At the age of 50, Higgins hoped to become the oldest winner in Triple Crown history, but for much of the final he was a shadow of the player who knocked out world champion Zhao Xintong and No 1 Judd Trump, making many unforced errors.

World No 2 Wilson won a couple of crucial frames in the closing stages as he came from 5-4 down to win five of the last seven.

Kettering’s Wilson suffered a crushing 10-7 defeat to Shaun Murphy in last year’s final and was also beaten in the 2018 final by Mark Allen by the same scoreline, but at the third time of asking the 34-year-old was on to snooker’s biggest title.

He becomes the 26th winner of the competition which was first played in 1975, lifting the Paul Hunter Trophy and banking the top prize of £350,000.

Just seven weeks ago at the UK tournament, Wilson was in despair after losing to Elliot Slessor in the first round. Wife Sophie had health problems, while at the table Wilson lost his posture and his expression – which was accidentally broken.

With determination and perseverance, he fought back from that low point and now he can celebrate one of the best moments of his career, perhaps second only to his victory in the 2024 World Championship.

Higgins, the oldest Triple Crown finalist, missed out on a third Masters title having lifted the trophy in 1999 and 2006, and has now lost four of his six finals. The Scot also spurned a chance to secure a first Triple Crown success since winning his fourth World Championship in 2011; since then he has lost five finals in these three historic events.

Trailing 5-3 after the first session, Higgins made a break of 71 in the opening frame tonight to close the gap. In the next game, he trailed 36-48 when he went for double play in the lead-up to the final, but his jaw was hit in the middle pocket and Wilson used it 6-4.

Higgins, 50, failed to perform at the level he had previously in this tournament

Higgins led 61-15 in 11 when he missed the black, then Wilson got the snooker he needed and had a chance to clear but failed to shape the final pink. The safety tussle ended when Wilson rolled the long pot and was out, allowing a free Higgins into the pink.

In the 12th, Higgins again missed the black in his position on a break of 15, and his opponent’s run of 49 left him up 7-5 at the time.

Frame 13 went down to the colors and Higgins made a safety mistake on the brown, leaving it in the top corner which allowed Wilson to go three clear for the first time.

A run of 78 extended his lead, and England had a chance to win the match in the next over but with well-placed balls, they missed the dark spot by 17. Higgins, who came from 9-5 down to defeat Mark Williams 10-9 in the final of the 2010 UK Championship, gave himself hope with a run of 70.

And he had a chance to start the 16th frame but only made 12, and the decisive moment came when Wilson, leading 44-12, drilled into the middle of the red zone and added 24 to put him through the winning zone.

Wilson: I don’t make it easy but I fight to the end | Higgins: I was useless in the last session

“In 2018 I lost in the final and I cried – I’m trying not to cry now because it means a lot to me,” Wilson told the BBC.

“It was an absolute dogfight and I tried to be a dog like John has done over the years – I’m glad he was able to give me another one for a change.

“I never make it easy for myself, I always seem to do it the hard way. I don’t know why, it frustrates the hell out of me – but I’m going to do my best. Even if I’m struggling, I’m going to fight to the end until I get the silver.”

Wilson had previously lost in the Masters finals in 2018 and 2025

After the defeat, Higgins said: “The crowd was fantastic. Going into tonight was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a snooker player. The conditions were fantastic. I was just useless!

“But without taking credit from Kyren – he was the best player. He was very strong today at 10-6.

“It’s disappointing because the last two games I’ve played in have been good. It’s been a good week and I’ve enjoyed it. I’m just disappointed with how I did in the final but listen tonight is Kyren’s night so I congratulate him. He’s a great champion.”