Shaun Murphy won the 2025 Masters title on Sunday after beating Kyren Wilson 10-7 in an entertaining final in London.
Played in front of a boisterous Alexandra Palace crowd, the pair of Englishmen produced a high standard with the sport’s second-biggest trophy on the line.
Murphy, who was full of confidence after becoming just the fifth player in Masters history to make a maximum 147 break on Saturday, started the final strongly.
The 42 year-old compiled a terrific break of 94 in the opening frame, a contribution which set the tone for much of the first session.
Murphy doubled his lead before Wilson got on the scoreboard with a break of 69 in the third frame.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred in the last frame before the mid-session interval, with Wilson scoring a 61 only for his opponent to respond with a 65 clearance to lead 3-1.
The following two frames after the brief respite were shared, but the Magician then shifted through the gears to end the afternoon’s play with a four-frame advantage.
Murphy compiled a tremendous 134 in the seventh frame and backed it up with a 116, entertaining the packed Ally Pally crowd in both with a series of exhibition shots.
Wilson returned for the evening session hoping to mount a famous comeback, and although he needed several opportunities, he did eventually take the first frame upon the resumption.
Murphy, though, was barely shaken and responded with his third ton of the tie – an excellent 125 to move 7-3 in front.
Wilson, to his credit, continued to battle and a run of 95 gave him hope before a costly missed black in the 12th frame halted his momentum again.
A clinical Murphy took full advantage of the opportunity presented to him, making another tidy break of 66 to enter the final mid-session interval 8-4 ahead.
When the players returned for the last time, Wilson demonstrated his credentials as the world champion by continuing his fight back.
The Kettering cueist won two frames in succession for the first time in the showdown, and then duly made it three on the trot to narrow the gap to just a single frame.
Murphy, who looked incredibly composed early on, was beginning to appear flustered and went half an hour of play without potting a ball.
However, a reckless attempt at a long red from Wilson gifted Murphy the opening he needed to steady the ship, making a 65 to move to within the brink of glory.
The world number seven subsequently wrapped up the triumph in style with his fourth century of the final.
Success for Murphy takes his career tally of Triple Crown titles to four, coming a full decade after his last when he claimed his maiden Masters in 2015.
The former world champion collects £350,000 for his efforts – a record prize for the tournament – in addition to the Paul Hunter Trophy.
Murphy had beaten Gary Wilson and Neil Robertson in his first couple of matches in the event before outplaying Mark Allen in the semi-final where he made the majestic 147 break.
Apart from a little blip in the second session of the final when his opponent was coming back at him, he generally looked in complete control.
His recent teaming up with Peter Ebdon has already reaped rewards, with Murphy now back in the champion’s enclosure in a major event.
Defeat for Wilson will be tough to take, especially after the Crucible king dispatched of world number one Judd Trump in the penultimate round.
The Kettering cueist ultimately left himself with too much work to do after a disappointing first session in which his pot success rate was down at 85%.
The 33 year-old is undoubtedly among the very best players in the world at present, but this week and this Masters belongs to Shaun Murphy.
“I can’t believe it, I’m in shock. If I’m totally honest, I thought these days had gone,” Shaun Murphy said in his post-match interview.
“Everyone knows I’ve teamed up with Peter Ebdon. He has helped me rediscover self-belief. There’s still life in the old dog left.”
Featured photo credit: WST
