Judd Trump Claims Second UK Championship Title Against Barry Hawkins

Judd Trump secured his second UK Championship title, overcoming Barry Hawkins with a hard-fought 10-8 scoreline at the Barbican venue in York. At 35 years old, Trump’s total of 30 ranking titles is surpassed only by Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, and John Higgins. Trump faced a significant resurgence from Hawkins, who narrowed the gap from 9-6 to 9-8 and nearly achieved the two snookers needed in a tense 18th frame to compel a deciding frame. Speaking to BBC Sport, Trump stated: “It was such a hard game. The way Barry battled today considering what happened yesterday was incredible really.” He further added: “He made it so hard. He had a chance to go level and the game could have changed. I was not enjoying myself in the seat at 9-8. I just wanted it to be over with. “Every shot I was snookered and I was thinking, ‘this could be the worst loss of all time’. It is pure relief.” With this victory, Trump, whose last UK title was in 2011, now possesses five Triple Crown titles. This places him level with Alex Higgins, though 18 behind O’Sullivan, having also secured the Masters twice and the World Championship once during his career. The world number one held a 5-3 lead entering Sunday evening’s final session and maintained his two-frame advantage at 7-5 by registering two half-century breaks before the interval. Hawkins, aged 45, who has been a professional for 28 years and was seeking his inaugural Triple Crown title, won the subsequent frame. He appeared poised to equalize the match at 7-7 but then lost position, enabling Trump to extend his lead once more. Trump constructed an impressive break of 133, the highest of the tournament for him, establishing a 9-6 lead. However, a determined reply from Hawkins saw him achieve runs of 75 and 82 before his challenge ultimately ended, just missing the opportunity for a deciding frame. By securing the £250,000 first prize, Trump has now won the two most financially rewarding ranking events on the Tour this season, including the Saudi Arabia Masters, thereby solidifying his position atop the world rankings. Hawkins, who received £100,000 as the losing finalist, had been attempting to become the oldest player to win a Triple Crown event for the first time. Nevertheless, challenging Trump so closely was a considerable achievement, considering the 45-year-old commenced Sunday’s final less than 12 hours after completing his semi-final victory against Mark Allen. Hawkins, who progressed from the qualifiers in Leicester to reach the televised rounds, had already overcome expectations with wins against reigning champion O’Sullivan, David Gilbert, Shaun Murphy, and Allen. Hawkins, whose performance in York has seen him regain a spot in the top 16 and secure a place at the Masters, commented: “I’m still fighting. Days like this make it worthwhile.” He continued: “If someone had told me I’d get to the final, I’d have taken it. Once I was in the final, you want to win. Today was a great game. I’ve lost to the best player in the world.”He’s number one for a reason. Just a fantastic player. It’s no disgrace losing to that man there. I missed the boat a bit. I wasn’t clinical enough in the balls.” Among these squandered chances was a red ball that seemed to deviate from the middle pocket at 9-8, alongside several others in the initial session that could have enabled him to pose a greater challenge to Trump. Although Trump secured the match’s first frame with a break of 73, Hawkins twice equalized, first with an excellent 116 break and then a 70 clearance to make it 2-2. Trump subsequently pulled ahead, compiling a 102 break as he won the following three frames consecutively. Hawkins demonstrated considerable determination to narrow the deficit with an 81 break, but his inability to capitalize on opportunities for significant scoring—such as missing a black to the left middle in the fifth frame and a green to the top left corner—ultimately proved detrimental. This season, Trump has now claimed victory in three tournaments and reached two additional finals. His earnings were already assured to exceed £1 million, even if he had lost on Sunday. Trump remarked: “It is still a long way to go from where I want to be in my career.” He concluded: “They all mean the same – it doesn’t matter to me. It makes no difference. If I am up there at the end of my career with the all-time greats, then brilliant, but I am just going to try and keep knocking out the ranking events and see where I can get to. “If I keep winning them I am sure the Triple Crown events will take care of themselves.””