The Snooker Masters Tournament Concludes in Thrilling Fashion
Hello, fellow snooker enthusiasts! On January 20, 2025, the Snooker Masters Tournament concluded in spectacular fashion. In this intense competition, Shaun Murphy, like a magician, defeated the newly crowned World Champion, Kyren Wilson, 10-7, securing his second Masters title.
Can you imagine? This championship didn't come without its rewards, as he pocketed a hefty £350,000. Moreover, Murphy achieved a remarkable 147 maximum break during the event, his ninth in his career, earning him an additional £15,000 for the highest single-frame score. Adding it all up, Murphy's total prize money for the season, from both ranking and invitational events, reached £699,400, approximately 6.24 million yuan. This outstanding achievement propelled him three spots up to second place. I believe Murphy's performance is truly remarkable; he's the type of player who saves his best for when it matters most, always ready to explode onto the scene.
Looking at Kyren Wilson, the new World Champion, who became the runner-up in this Masters. However, the runner-up position still comes with a £140,000 prize, a substantial sum for most players. This brought his total prize money for the season to £637,400, but due to not winning the title, he dropped one spot to third place. It's a pity, considering everyone had high hopes for him after his World Championship victory. Perhaps facing a strong opponent like Murphy in the Masters put some pressure on him.
Ding Junhui also delivered a pleasant surprise. He rose one spot in the rankings to sixth place in this Masters. Although he was stopped in the quarter-finals against Trump, achieving such a ranking improvement is commendable. This indicates that his recent form has been on the rise, and I look forward to him continuing his efforts and claiming more titles in future competitions.
Let's talk about Trump. This season, he's been unstoppable with three titles and two runner-up finishes, an incredibly impressive record. However, he lost to Kyren Wilson in the semi-finals of this Masters. Despite this, he took home £75,000, bringing his total prize money for the season to a staggering £1,292,700, securing the top spot and setting a new record for the highest single-season prize money. I feel that Trump truly embodies the spirit of a champion, with exceptional skills and mental fortitude. I hope he can maintain this level of performance.
Mark Williams, with one title and one runner-up finish this season, was unfortunately eliminated by Ding Junhui in the first round of the Masters, only earning £25,000. However, his total prize money for the season stands at £517,700, placing him fourth. Mark Williams is an experienced player, and I hope he can readjust for the next competition.
As for Mark Allen, after winning the Riyadh Championship, he lost to Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals of the Masters, taking home £75,000. His total prize money for the season is £510,100, ranking fifth. I believe he's a very capable player, perhaps just lacking a bit of luck in crucial moments of major tournaments.
Ding Junhui's victory at the Nanjing National Championship after five years is a remarkable feat. Although he was stopped in the quarter-finals of the Masters, the £40,000 prize is a testament to his abilities. His total prize money for the season reached £348,500, allowing him to surpass Xiao Guodong and reach sixth place, a result of his relentless efforts.
Players like Mark Selby, who won the British Open but was stopped in the quarter-finals of the Masters by Mark Allen, earned £40,000, with a total prize money of £332,100, ranking seventh. He has a unique style on the court, and I hope he continues to push himself.
Xiao Guodong, who won the Wuhan Open and was runner-up in the Crown of Crowns this season, did not qualify for the Masters, earning £320,500 for the season, dropping two spots to eighth. I'm looking forward to his next competition.
Neil Robertson, who won the English Open but was stopped in the quarter-finals of the Masters by Murphy, earned £40,000, with a total prize money of £278,450, ranking ninth. He's also a highly competitive player.
Si Jiahui made it to the semi-finals of the Saudi Masters and the final of the Wuhan Open this season. In his first Masters appearance, he was eliminated in the first round by Mark Allen, earning £25,000, with a total prize money of £263,800, ranking tenth. Gaining experience in major tournaments is crucial for young players.
Ronnie O'Sullivan had a less-than-stellar season, failing to reach any finals and even withdrawing from the Masters unexpectedly, earning £252,000 for the season, dropping two spots to eleventh. He was once a king, and I hope he can quickly bounce back.
Lyu Haotian reached the final of the English Open and the Scottish Open, earning £163,000 for the season, ranking sixteenth.
John Higgins, who was runner-up in the UK Championship but lost in the first round of the Masters to Neil Robertson, earned £25,000, with a total prize money of £162,650, ranking seventeenth.
Luca Brecel, who reached the final of the Riyadh Championship, was stopped in the quarter-finals of the Masters by Kyren Wilson, earning £40,000, with a total prize money of £228,000, ranking twelfth.
Barry Hawkins, who was runner-up in the UK Championship, lost in the first round of the Masters to Trump, earning £25,000, with a total prize money of £224,550, ranking thirteenth.
Zhang Anda had a disappointing season, losing in the first round of the Masters to Kyren Wilson, earning £25,000, with a total prize money of £163,150, ranking fifteenth.
Every player relies on their own abilities, and we'll see who comes out on top.