By Elliott West
Introduction
It seems unbelievable that it is nearly fifty years since the Masters was first devised. Celebrating its 48th year this year, this concept was the brainchild of Clive Everton, who, in the late 1970s, was looking for sponsorship for a squash player Jonah Barrington. He approached Peter West and Patrick Nally who ran a promotions company at the time and out of that meeting, it was disclosed that the pair were keen to work with a number of tobacco companies including Benson and Hedges. Asking for Clive’s input, the former billiards player and journalist suggested an idea for snooker, that would go to become the blueprint for the Masters.
First held in a London hotel, the West Centre in 1975, the first staging didn’t disappoint with the final between old adversaries, Ray Reardon and John Spencer coming down to a re-spotted black, caused by Reardon being put off by the noise of the presentation party entering the room. John Spencer went on to sink the vital black ball and won himself the princely sun of £2,000 due to his efforts.
Spectacular and Treasured
The Masters had grown year after year since its humble beginnings. A tournament that has always been adored by the players involved and fans alike. It’s like your best dinner service that only sees the light of day once a year and invites the top sixteen players to this premium event. Like fine champagne, the bubbles fizz ferociously until it produces one large bubble, the ultimate Masters’ champion. Best remembered for its time at the Wembley Conference Centre, decked with floral decorations and a capacity audience, this was where Cliff Thorburn won three titles, the last coming in 1986 and Kirk Stevens achieved a televised 147 break in 1984. A tournament that also saw the late and dearly missed Paul Hunter winning it three times and Stephen Hendry an impressive five years in a row. A reign that included the demolition of Mike Hallett in 1991, who had led the final 7-0 and 8-2 but went on to lose the match 9-8 thanks to a missed opportunity with the rest. A bitter pill for Mike to swallow who had previously been whitewashed by Steve Davis in the 1988 final 9-0.
The Modern Age
Now firmly established in its new home Alexandra Palace since coming here in 2012 after a brief and underwhelming spell at Wembley Arena, a venue steeped in history and somewhere where the BBC was born 100 years ago this year. Situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in North London, this backdrop provides an idyllic setting for one of the jewels of the Triple Crown. Increased seating capacity, 2,200 for each session this year and fine dining in the WST Century Club for those that can afford the VIP experience in the glassed room above the stage, you soon forget the chilly conditions of the January weather outside as your heart is warmed by tantalising snooker.
This has been a snooker gift for Ronnie O’Sullivan who has won the title here three times in 2014, 2016 and 2017, the other winners being Neil Robertson in 2012, Mark Selby in 2013, Shaun Murphy in 2015, Mark Allen in 2018, Judd Trump in 2019, Stuart Bingham in 2020, Yan Bingtao in 2021 and the current reigning champion Neil Robertson who beat Barry Hawkins 10-4 in the final last year to claim the title. With an ever-dwindling number of tickets this year due to soaring sales, the stage is set for a fascinating week of post-Christmas at Alexandra Palace, hot on the heels of the conclusion of the World Darts Championship being staged here currently.
The Runners and Riders
Mark Selby goes into this tournament my favourite, precisely because he won the last event of 2022, the English Open, where he beat Luca Brecel 9-6 in the final. He has also previously won the Masters on three occasions (2008,2010 and 2013). Back to form and in a good headspace, Selby has carved out a reputation for being a gritty snooker player who many consider having filled the shoes of Cliff Thorburn for being a modern-day grinder. The bookmakers give him extended odds of 8-1, probably too generous a price with Ronnie O’Sullivan favourite at 10/3 and last year’s champion, Neil Robertson at 4-1. Dave Gilbert enters the race, thanks to the suspension of Yan Bingtao over allegations of match-fixing for betting purposes and he trails the field of 16 players with Ryan Day at 50-1.
Don’t discount the players in the field with last year’s Northern Ireland Open champion leading it at 12-1, followed by Kyren Wilson 16-1, John Higgins 18-1, Mark Williams 20-1, Jack Lisowski 22-1, Luca Brecel and Shaun Murphy at 33-1 and Barry Hawkins and Stuart Bingham trailing at 40-1. Zhao Xintong had just been suspended at the time of writing this piece due to alleged match-fixing and it remains to be seen who will replace him. With £250,000 up for stake for the eventual victor, the stage is set for some thrilling snooker matches, played by the very best in the sport.
