Judd Trump made history in winning snooker's Gibraltar Open last night by becoming the first player to win six ranking titles in a single season.
The world number one beat Kyren Wilson 4-3 in the decider.
The final was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, with Trump picking up £50,000 in prize-money as well as a £150,000 bonus as the player who earned the most money over the four events of the European Series.
It added to wins at the German Masters, Northern Ireland Open, World Open, International Championship, and Players Championship for the Englishman.
It was the first time the 30-year-old won the Gibraltar Open, and it means he makes history with a sixth ranking title - Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui and Mark Selby had all previously won five ranking titles in a season.
Trump said after lifting the trophy to an empty crowd that he was glad to have seen out the win.
WHAT a player!
@judd147t becomes the first player in snooker history to win SIX ranking titles in a single season 👏
A 4-3 final victory over Kyren Wilson - including the #BVEuroSeries bonus - is worth £200k! 😮 pic.twitter.com/zWO2r9sxT2— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) March 15, 2020
“I missed the chance to go 3-1 up, then Kyren came back and led 3-2 so I had to recompose myself and go again. I made a good break to go 3-3 and that settled me down. I’m pleased with the way I handled myself under pressure.
“To win six ranking titles in a season, something which no one else has ever done, is an amazing achievement for me. It’s nice to beat these records when I have the chance, and to keep my run going of wins in ranking finals.
“I knew what I had to do when I came here, to win the £150,000 bonus, and I decided to come here and give it my all. I wasn’t thinking about that tonight until it got to 3-3. It was a lot of money at stake and that added a bit of pressure. But Kyren was also playing for his place at the Tour Championship so there was a lot at stake for both of us.”
Breaks of 125, 144 and 123 led Trump towards victory, before a 63 in the deciding frame sealed the win.
It's understood World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn is keen to hold the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield as normal next month with spectators, unless UK government advice at the time dictates otherwise.
