Shaun Murphy wins the 2025 British Open to end two-year wait for a ranking title

The 43-year-old Englishman pockets £100,000 for his efforts in Cheltenham this week, and lifts The Clive Everton Trophy for the first time.

Having previously won the World Grand Prix (2016), Champion of Champions (2017), Players Championship (2023) and Tour Championship (2023), Murphy completes the ‘ITV Grand Slam’ - all tournaments shown on the host broadcaster’s television station.

Last January, Murphy was exceptional as he won a second Masters crown at the Alexandra Palace in London, and he replicated similar form at The Centaur venue over the past several days.

However, despite that victory in professional snooker’s most prestigious invitational event, Murphy arrived here having not won a ranking title since the summer of 2023 when he triumphed at the behind-closed-doors Championship League.

Because of his winless streak, last month, Murphy fell outside of the world’s top 16 rankings for the first time in over 19 years.

He climbed back into the elite bracket following last week’s English Open, but now he should have no immediate issues over his top 16 status as he moves up to 12th in the global standings. On the one-year/seasonal list Murphy is fourth, putting him in prime position to qualify for all the Players Series events later in the campaign.

How Shaun Murphy won the British Open final

Murphy began Sunday’s final as the warm favourite following wins over world number three Neil Robertson, world number one Judd Trump, and reigning champion Mark Selby in earlier rounds.

Two-time ranking event winner McGill was featuring in his first final in over eight years. The Scot - who has had a frustrating few years on the baize and came to Cheltenham as the world number 57 - had dismissed compatriot and practise partner John Higgins in the semi-finals.

McGill got off to an ideal start as breaks of 68 and 78 helped him build a 2-0 lead.

A 101 in frame three got Murphy on the scoreboard, but McGill responded with a century of his own - a 109 - in frame four to go into the mid-session interval 3-1 up.

A third ton in as many frames was produced by Murphy in the fifth (132) but McGill countered in the sixth, taking it on the final black when his opponent was on the cusp of levelling the tie.

However, Murphy regrouped, registering runs of 78 and 112 to restore parity at 4-4 at the end of the afternoon session.

On resumption a few hours later, Murphy took the lead of the match for the first time with a 78, but McGill squared up at 5-5 with an 81 before edging back in front after an effort of 77.

Frame 12 would be Murphy's for 6-6, but after the final mid-session interval the underdog nudged back ahead with the aid of a 73 break.

That would end up being the final frame that McGill won, though, as Murphy fashioned runs of 76, 72 and 66 in reaching the hill at 9-7 up before taking frame 17 on the colours to cross the finish line.

Murphy becomes the sixth different winner of an event on this season’s World Snooker Tour - from six events. There have also been 12 different finalists.

Visit our 2025 British Open tournament information centre here for the draw, results, and details on the format, schedule, and prize money.