Kyren Wilson has staged a remarkable sporting and personal comeback, clinching the Masters title just weeks after describing himself at one of the lowest ebbs of his career.
From Despair to Alexandra Palace Glory
The snooker star, known as 'The Warrior', secured his first Masters crown on Sunday, 18th January 2026, defeating the legendary John Higgins 10-6 in the final at London's Alexandra Palace. The victory earned him the prestigious Paul Hunter Trophy and a top prize of £350,000.
This triumph marks a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the 34-year-old. Less than seven weeks prior, Wilson suffered a demoralising first-round exit at the UK Championship against Elliot Slessor. He has since revealed that period as one of profound difficulty, compounded by serious off-table challenges.
A Torrid Season Behind the Scenes
Wilson's season began brightly with victory at the Shanghai Masters in August. However, his campaign was derailed by a series of distressing events. His cherished cue, used to win the World Championship, was accidentally broken. Concurrently, his wife Sophie faced a grave health scare that Wilson described as her being "literally on death's door."
These issues led to a loss of form and confidence, culminating in that early UK Championship defeat. Wilson admitted to having a "hissy fit" in York and feeling "soul-destroyed." He told Metro: "Probably one of the lowest points I’ve ever had, to be honest." He also hit back at critics who suggested he was making excuses, insisting the hurdles were "genuine facts" that would hinder anyone.
Turning the Tide with New Found Stability
The turnaround began with positive news regarding Sophie's health and the discovery of a reliable new cue. After using it at the Scottish Open in December and during exhibition matches in China, Wilson arrived at the Masters with renewed belief, despite some lingering doubts.
His path to the final was forged in epic battles, including 6-5 wins over Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals and Wu Yize in the semi-finals. The final itself was not a classic, with Higgins below par, but Wilson was dominant throughout to seal his second Triple Crown title.
"After the UK Championship I thought I was gone, I didn’t know if I was ever going to be back in the winner’s enclosure," Wilson confessed post-match. This victory firmly puts him back in that coveted space.
Higgins' Historic But Frustating Run
For John Higgins, the final was a missed opportunity. The 50-year-old Scot became the oldest ever Triple Crown finalist but was bitterly disappointed with his performance.
"The crowd were fantastic... but I was just useless," said the 'Wizard of Wishaw'. "Take nothing away from Kyren, he was by far the better player. He was totally dominant." It was Higgins' second final defeat of the season, having also lost to Wu Yize at the International Championship.
With family stability restored and his equipment issues resolved, Kyren Wilson has not only silenced his doubters but has re-established himself as a major force in snooker, targeting more silverware for the remainder of the season.
