Kyren Wilson Triumphs Over John Higgins To Win 2026 Masters

Kyren Wilson has etched his name into snooker history, capturing his maiden Masters title with a commanding 10-6 victory over John Higgins in a dramatic final at London’s Alexandra Palace on January 18, 2026. For Wilson, this triumph marks his second Triple Crown win, following his 2024 World Championship glory, and signals a remarkable comeback after a challenging spell at the UK Championship just weeks prior.

The 2026 Masters final was nothing short of a snooker spectacle. Played over two sessions—an afternoon stint beginning at 1pm and an electrifying evening showdown starting at 7pm—the match saw Wilson and Higgins locked in a battle of nerves, skill, and endurance. With the prestigious Paul Hunter Trophy and a hefty £350,000 prize on the line, both competitors had everything to play for. The runner-up, Higgins, would take home £140,000, but it was clear from the outset that both men had their sights set firmly on the title.

Wilson’s path to the final was a gritty one. He had to dig deep in the semi-finals, overcoming China’s rising star Wu Yize in a tense decider. Higgins, meanwhile, produced a stirring comeback against Judd Trump, rallying from 3-0 and 5-3 down to clinch his spot in the final with a 6-5 victory. Their head-to-head record favored Higgins, who had won seven of their last ten encounters, but Wilson had bested the Scot in their previous meeting during the 2024 World Championship quarterfinals.

The final itself was packed with drama from the very first frame. Higgins opened proceedings with a confident break of 58, capitalizing on a missed long red from Wilson. But the Englishman quickly found his rhythm, clawing back to level the score in the second frame with a masterful clearance of the colors. The crowd, already on the edge of their seats, was treated to a series of momentum swings as both players traded frames in the opening session.

Wilson began to assert his authority with back-to-back centuries, including a sublime 111—the 23rd century of this year’s Masters—demonstrating his prowess with the long pot and keeping Higgins firmly in his seat. By the mid-session interval, Wilson led 5-3, setting the stage for a tense evening showdown.

As the players returned to the baize under the iconic Alexandra Palace lights, the tension ratcheted up. Higgins struck first in the evening, producing his biggest break of the final—a 71—to close the gap. But Wilson, undeterred, responded with clinical breaks of 49 and 78, pushing his lead to 9-5 and inching ever closer to the finish line.

There were moments of high drama and human error, too. In the 11th frame, Higgins missed a routine black off its spot, handing Wilson a golden opportunity. Yet, the nerves were palpable; both players missed chances, and a marathon safety battle ensued. At one point, Wilson was heard exclaiming, "I hate this game," as the pressure mounted. The crowd’s encouragement was met with Wilson’s determined, "I’m trying!"—a glimpse into the emotional toll and passion at play.

One of the most memorable incidents came when the final was briefly halted due to a medical emergency in the audience. BBC host Hazel Irvine assured viewers that the affected fan was "fine," and play soon resumed, but the pause only heightened the sense of occasion and the stakes on the table.

As the frames ticked by, Higgins fought valiantly, producing a smart 70 to reduce the deficit to 9-6 after Wilson had missed a straightforward black. But the Englishman, known as "The Warrior," showed the grit that has defined his career. A stunning long red in the penultimate frame drew huge roars from the Ally Pally faithful, and Wilson did what was necessary to seal the match—and with it, his first Masters crown.

After clinching victory, an emotional Wilson paid tribute to his family, especially his wife Sophie, and reflected on the difficult journey he had endured since the UK Championship. "In 2018 I lost in the final and cried—I’m trying not to cry now as it means so much to me," he said. "It was just an absolute dogfight and I tried to be as dogged as John has been over the years—I’m glad he’s managed to give me 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 will always give it my all. Even if I’m struggling I will fight until the end until I finally get my hands on some silverware. It’s been an amazing turnaround. Father Christmas was kind to me. After the UK I thought I was gone. With my cue, I didn’t know if I’d get back in the winners enclosure again and here I am."

John Higgins, ever the sportsman, was quick to deflect attention from his own disappointment and heap praise on Wilson. "The crowd were fantastic. The entrance tonight was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a snooker player. The conditions were absolutely fantastic as well. I was just useless! But taking no credit away from Kyren—he was by far the better player. He was totally dominant today at 10-6. It’s disappointing because the last two finals I’ve played in I’ve gone out like a light. It’s been a good week and I’ve enjoyed it. 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."

Snooker legend Stephen Hendry, commentating for the BBC, highlighted Wilson’s long potting as the key to his success. "If Kyren Wilson can do that tonight, get in early with good long pots, he’s going to create scoring opportunities and that could be the secret to him winning this final comfortably," Hendry observed. "He can still win in other ways, but to win it comfortably I think that’s the secret."

With the 2026 Masters now in the books, Wilson stands tall among snooker’s elite. His journey from heartbreak at the UK Championship to the summit of the Masters is a testament to resilience, determination, and the enduring allure of the sport. As the Alexandra Palace crowd filtered out and the lights dimmed on another memorable final, one thing was clear: Kyren Wilson’s star is shining brighter than ever, and the snooker world is eager to see what he’ll do next.