The 2026 Masters final is off to a thrilling start, and Kyren Wilson is making a bold statement in his quest for a maiden title. But here's where it gets intriguing: can the world number two finally break his Masters curse, or will John Higgins, the veteran Scotsman, roll back the years to claim a long-awaited victory? Wilson stormed ahead with a 5-3 lead in the opening session at Alexandra Palace, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Higgins, at 50, became the oldest finalist in Triple Crown history, aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2006. He kicked things off with a confident half-century, but this is the part most people miss: a series of unforced errors allowed Wilson to seize control, snatching the second frame and setting the tone for a gripping contest.
The match seesawed as Wilson extended his lead to 3-1, only for Higgins to showcase his legendary resilience, clawing back to level at 3-3. Yet, Wilson refused to yield, rediscovering his rhythm with a blistering 103 break and a stunning 111—his eighth century of the tournament—to end the session on a high.
Those final two frames were a clear declaration: Wilson, who fell short in his previous Masters finals against Mark Allen (2018) and Shaun Murphy (2025), is determined to rewrite his narrative. While his head-to-head record against Higgins stands at a modest 3-8, one of those wins came during his 2024 World Championship triumph, a memory he’ll surely draw upon.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Wilson’s recent form enough to overcome Higgins’ experience, or will the Scot’s matchplay genius prevail? With the best-of-19 encounter resuming on Sunday at 19:00 GMT and a £350,000 top prize at stake, this final promises fireworks. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments—who do you think will lift the trophy?
