Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

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This article is about the snooker ranking tournament in Saudi Arabia. For the non-ranking event in the same country, see World Masters of Snooker.

Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
Tournament information
VenueGreen Halls
LocationRiyadh
CountrySaudi Arabia
Established2024
Organisation(s)World Snooker Tour
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£2,302,000
Current champion Judd Trump (ENG)

The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is a professional snooker ranking tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is one of snooker's four major tournaments. Organised by the World Snooker Tour, the inaugural event was held from 31 August to 7 September 2024, and it featured a total prize fund of £2,302,000, the second-highest after the World Championship. The reigning champion is Judd Trump.

History

In February 2024, World Snooker Tour (WST) announced the addition of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters to the calendar, beginning from the 2024–25 season, as part of a ten-year deal. The 2024 edition was the first ranking tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia, following the non-ranking 2024 World Masters of Snooker event in March. Branded by WST as snooker's "fourth major" alongside the Triple Crown events, the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters, the tournament featured a total prize fund of £2,302,000, the second-highest after the World Championship.[1][2]

Announcement of the non-ranking World Masters of Snooker event was met with criticism from journalists accusing Saudi Arabia of sportswashing.[3][4] However, players welcomed the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters ranking event, lauding its "astronomical" prize fund and the opportunity to promote the sport in the Middle East.[5][6]

Winners

Year Winner Runner-up Final score Venue Season
2024[7]  Judd Trump (ENG)  Mark Williams (WAL) 10–9 Green Halls, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2024/25

References

  1. ^ "Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters: New ranking event announced!". World Snooker Tour. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters: New tournament to offer £2m prize fund and become 'fourth major'". BBC Sport. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  3. ^ Meredith, Sam (22 January 2024). "Saudi Arabia's lavish sports push will now embrace snooker — and introduce a new golden ball". CNBC. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. ^ "A maximum break of 167? Saudi snooker plans unveil 20-point gold ball". The Guardian. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Players welcome Saudi announcement and 'Astronomical' prize pot". World Snooker Tour. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Mark Allen: Northern Irishman 'not getting involved in politics' of Saudi tournament". BBC Sport. 28 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Trump crowned with classic clearance". World Snooker Tour. 7 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.