Kyren's the Master! Wilson claims final glory as he sees off 'idol' Higgins

The 34-year-old ensured it was third time lucky at Alexandra Palace as he recorded a hard-fought 10-6 victory over John Higgins in Sunday's showpiece final in London.

Wilson had previously lost both times he had reached the final, in 2018 and 12 months ago, but he made no mistake this time to secure a second career 'Triple Crown' success, following on from winning the world title in 2024.

The Kettering ace, who is based at Barratts Club in Northampton, becomes the 26th winner of the tournament that features the world's top 16 ranked players.

The Masters was first staged in 1975, with Wilson delighted to add his name to the list of champions and claim the Paul Hunter Trophy, while also banking the top prize of £350,000 in the process.

Wilson won Sunday afternoon's first session 5-3, but when Higgins claimed the opener in the evening to cut that lead to 5-4 the pressure was on.

But it was the Scot who would go on to make several unforced errors as Wilson claimed five of the next seven frames to secure the title and produce a wonderful silver lining after months of turmoil both on and off the table.

Early in December, Wilson admitted to being in the depths of despair after losing to Elliot Slessor in the first round of the UK Championships after accidentally breaking his cue in the lead up to that event.

He now has a new cue that he 'trusts' and that has led to him regaining his best form.

Away from the table, Wilson's wife Sophie had also been suffering with health issues, so it has been a tough time, but she was at Ally Pally to share in his winning moment along with sons Finlay and Bailey, and it was an emotional Wilson who accepted the trophy.

"In 2018 when I lost in the final I cried like a little girl, and I am trying not to cry now because it means so much to me," said Wilson, who last won a major title when claiming the Shanghai Masters at the beginning of August, 2025.

"It's an absolute honour to share the table with John, he is an idol of mine. It was a dog fight from the start and I just tried to be as dogged as John has been over the years.

"I was always give it my all even when I am struggling, I will fight to the end until I can get my hands on some silverware, and thankfully I have been able to do that. I will be proud of this win for the rest of my life."

Referring to his recent problems, Wilson admitted: "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.

"It's so important to have a cue you can trust and I came here this week with a new lease of life, with a cue that I trust, and I have such a supportive family.

"I promised my mum that she could have that bit of crystal sitting on the dining room table, and it's coming home, mum!

"People don't see what happens behind closed doors but I was in a bad way after the UK, really, really suffering, and it has taken a very strong woman in my wife to help rebuild me."

Higgins, who at 50 was aiming to become the oldest Masters champion, was bitterly disappointed in his own performance in the final, and admitted Wilson was a deserving winner.

"The crowd were fantastic and so were the conditions, but I was useless," said the four-time world champion, who has also previously won the Masters twice.

"Kyren was by far the better player, he was totally dominant. The scoreline is 10-6 but it wasn't as close as that.

"It's disappointing because the last two Masters finals I have played in, I haven't kept the same form which got me to the final. This is Kyren's night so congratulations to him."