Wakelin Captures Scottish Open Crown, Earns Second Ranking Title Ahead of Masters
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The 2025 Scottish open concluded on Sunday as Chris Wakelin claimed the title, delivering a dominant performance in the third event of the Home Nations Series for the 2025-2026 snooker season.
The Englishman defeated Chang Bingyu 9-2 in the final, earning his second ranking title and marking a notable return to form after a fluctuating campaign. His first ranking triumph remains the Shoot Out win from the 2022-2023 season.
Wakelin’s path to the trophy featured a steady week of victors: Oliver Lines (4-2), Anthony McGill (4-0), Yuan Sijun (4-2), Zhou Yuelong (5-3), and a 6-4 semi-final win over Matthew Welt. The final saw him surge after a close start,reeling off a string of frames to seal the title.
chang Bingyu, at 23 in his first major final, briefly held an early lead but Wakelin seized control, winning eight of the next nine frames and closing with a 104 clearance to clinch the crown. Bingyu’s 107 break early in the decider was a bright moment, but it was not enough to counter the Englishman’s sustained pressure.
The event unfolded in a week noted for its casualties, with several big names faltering. Notably absent were Ronnie O’Sullivan, judd Trump, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson, while Zhao Xintong and John Higgins also exited earlier in the week. The shake-up underscored how the field remains unsettled ahead of the Masters in London.
With the Masters set to take center stage at Alexandra Palace from January 11 to 18, Wakelin’s triumph adds a fresh narrative to the season as players turn their attention to a major showdown in the English capital. The win also places Wakelin back on the radar as he eyes more deep runs in the coming months.
season Champions Snapshot
| Event | Champion | Ranking status |
|---|---|---|
| Championship League | Stephen Maguire | Ranking |
| Shanghai Masters | Kyren Wilson | Not Ranking |
| Saudi Arabia Masters | Neil Robertson | Ranking |
| Open the Wuhan | Xiao Guodong | Ranking |
| English Open | Mark Allen | Ranking |
| British Open | Shaun Murphy | Ranking |
| Xi’an Grand Prix | Mark williams | Ranking |
| Northern Ireland Open | Jack Lisowski | Ranking |
| International Championship | Wu Yize | Ranking |
| Champion of Champions | Mark Selby | Not Ranking |
| riyadh Season Championship | Zhao Xintong | Not Ranking |
| UK Championship | Mark selby | Ranking |
| shoot Out | Alfie Burden | Ranking |
| scottish Open | Chris Wakelin | Ranking |
what’s next for fans
The snooker calendar now pivots to the masters in London, where a fresh chapter awaits.Fans can expect a blend of familiar contenders and rising stars to push for major titles in the first big non-major of the year.
Engage with the story
What did you make of Wakelin’s surge in the final? Do you think his Scottish Open win signals a breakthrough season,or was it a welcome peak in an otherwise variable run? Which masters match are you most eager to watch?
Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for in-depth coverage as the race to the Masters heats up. For broader context on the sport’s top tours and schedules, you can explore official updates from World Snooker Tour: World Snooker Tour.
Related coverage and schedules are also available at major outlets covering snooker events, including BBC Sport and official tour pages.
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