Shaun Murphy banks record-breaking prize money in 50-year history of the Masters
Shaun Murphy has scooped an historic amount of snooker prize money at the Masters with a tight victory over Kyren Wilson.
‘The Magician’s’ victory in the final at Alexandra Palace was a nervy one as he secured a 10-7 victory despite a fightback in the evening session from his opponent.
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Murphy has won the Masters for the second time, the first since 2015Credit: GettyThis year’s event saw an increase to the prize pot available for the world’s top 16 players competing at the non-ranking event.
As part of the changes, runner-up Wilson has pocketed £140,000, up from £40,000 last year.
However, it is Murphy who is the big winner as he takes home £350,000 as well as one of the sport’s Triple Crown trophies.
His winnings are the highest in the event’s 50-year history, having risen from £250,000.
READ MORE IN SPORTMurphy takes home an additional £15,000 for securing the highest break of the tournament.
The former world champion’s maximum break in his semi-final win over Mark Allen was the sixth 147 in tournament history.
Although there was not another maximum in the final, Murphy established a strong lead with breaks of 134 and 125 on Sunday night.
The 42-year-old took an early two-frame lead after a break of 94 in the opener before Wilson pulled one back.
However, another two frames from Murphy saw him lead 4-1 through the first five of a possible 19 in London.
He would win two more to move 6-2 in front before the pair traded the next three frames between them.
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Murphy took control of the final early onCredit: Getty
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Wilson managed to claw a four-frame deficit to just one frame but he ultimately gave himself too much to doCredit: GettyDespite reducing the deficit to three, Wilson remained as far from Murphy as he was from the title as the final passed the halfway mark.
The four-frame gap was immediately re-established, though, before the final interval.
Wilson started brilliantly after the break as he raced to three successive frames, the first time he’d managed consecutive frames in the final.
But despite Wilson going to within one frame of Murphy, the Harlow-born star held his nerve to secure the victory.
The world number seven’s second Masters triumph comes in his third career final.
He had previously faced Neil Robertson in each of the previous two, losing in 2012 before getting revenge three years later.
Masters snooker 2025 prize money
Winner: £350,000
Runner-up: £140,000
Semi-finals: £75,000
Quarter-finals: £40,000
Last 16: £25,000
Total prize pot: £1,015,000
Both Murphy and Wilson will be looking to scoop more prize money at the German Masters later this month.
Unlike this week’s Triple Crown tournament, the £550,400 on offer for the players will count towards their world rankings.
Had Murphy’s Masters winnings been added to his ranking, he would have climbed to third in the world.
Snooker star silently rages after missing out on £162k and even opponent shakes his head
