In a story of remarkable personal resilience, snooker professional Chris Wakelin has claimed the biggest victory of his career at the 2025 Scottish Open, overcoming severe illness and a family emergency to lift the trophy in Edinburgh.
A Triumph Against All Odds
The 33-year-old Englishman, nicknamed 'The Monster', secured his second ranking title on Sunday night, defeating China's Chang Bingyu by a commanding 9-2 scoreline in the final. After falling behind early, Wakelin produced a stunning display, winning eight consecutive frames and sealing the win with a stylish century break. The victory, worth £100,000, marks his first full-ranking title outside of the one-frame Shoot Out format, solidifying his rise within the sport.
This latest success continues Wakelin's impressive trajectory over the last three years, a period that has seen him reach four ranking finals, a World Championship quarter-final, and a Saudi Arabia Masters semi-final. However, his path to glory in Scotland was far from straightforward.
Personal Battles Behind the Scenes
In a heartfelt post-match interview with TNT Sports, Wakelin revealed the immense challenges he faced during the tournament. "I had pneumonia last week," he disclosed. "I've got so many excuses – more excuses than when I lose!" His health struggles were compounded by a frightening incident involving his infant daughter, Mia.
"We got up here on Sunday and on Tuesday lunchtime we were in hospital with her," Wakelin explained after receiving the Stephen Hendry Trophy. "She wasn't very well, but thankfully the nurses there managed to get her back... To think, in the last five days, we've gone from nearly pulling out to standing here." He added that sleep had been so difficult his fiancée, Lucy, stayed in a separate hotel to help him rest before the final.
Earlier in the event, Wakelin had spoken of a "tough few weeks" for his family, which also included his daughter teething through the night. He arrived in Scotland with minimal practice, having managed only two or three days of preparation due to his illness.
Chang's Breakthrough Run and Past Controversy
While the final proved one-sided, opponent Chang Bingyu enjoyed a breakout week. The 23-year-old Chinese player reached his first-ever ranking final by defeating a string of top names, including Mark Selby and Mark Allen, which made him the favourite heading into the match.
"I didn't think that I could get this far and play this final," said Chang through a translator. "I'm quite happy because I made big progress... This has been a very big confidence boost to beat those top players."
Chang's appearance on this stage is particularly notable given his recent return from a two-year ban for match-fixing. In June 2023, he was suspended for three years (reduced to two) after admitting to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open under pressure from fellow player Liang Wenbo. The disciplinary commission noted his youth, impressionability, and the element of threat involved.
Wakelin was quick to offer support to his opponent in his victory speech. "He's an absolute credit to the sport," Wakelin said. "He's had some issues over the last couple of years which I don't think he had anything to do with... He's a phenomenal talent, definitely one to watch out for."
A Fond Farewell for Referee Scullion
The final also marked the end of an era, as popular Scottish referee Leo Scullion officiated his last professional match after 26 years on the circuit. The 67-year-old, who took charge of the 2019 World Championship final, decided a home event in Scotland was the perfect time to retire.
"26 years is a long time and I'm starting to feel that maintaining the high standards I like to set is taking more and more concentration," Scullion said. "I will miss that kind of thing, but at the end of the day I think this is the right time to finish."
For Chris Wakelin, now the world number 14, his emphatic Scottish Open win, achieved amidst such personal adversity, will stand as a defining moment in his career—a testament to skill, determination, and the power of family support.
