Kyren Wilson underlined his status as one of snooker’s most reliable winners by beating Jak Jones 9-2 at the Waterfront Hall to claim the Northern Ireland Open for the second time in three years.
The result added another ranking title to Wilson’s record and gave him an 11th success at that level. It also continued a strong run in Belfast, where he lifted the trophy again after taking the same event in 2024.
Wilson’s Belfast record keeps growing
This was a final that quickly moved in Wilson’s direction. He led 6-2 at the interval after compiling three century breaks, including runs of 101, 135 and 130, and from there he never really allowed Jak Jones back into the contest.
Wilson described the finish as a tricky one to manage mentally, because once a player gets into that position there is always the temptation to start thinking the job is done. But he said he made sure he stuck to his routine, arrived early, rested properly and carried on as normal to avoid switching off too soon.
That composure has become a feature of Wilson’s game. He has now won the Masters at the start of the year, the Players Championship in 2025 and this latest title in Belfast, giving his season real weight as well as another notable trophy.
A venue that suits him
Wilson’s connection with the Northern Ireland Open is now clear. The trophy carries the name of Alex Higgins, which he said made the win even more meaningful, and he made clear how much he enjoys the atmosphere in Belfast.
He said the fans there appreciate positive snooker, players willing to go for their shots and try something different when the frames allow it. That suits Wilson’s outlook. He said he is trying to entertain people and win at the same time, and this week he managed to strike that balance.
There is also a wider significance to the final itself. Wilson beat Jak Jones again, having also beaten him in the World Championship final in 2024. It was another reminder that when Wilson gets into a title match, he tends to handle the pressure moments better than most.
For Jones, the defeat was heavy, but for Wilson it was another statement win in a tournament that is clearly becoming one of his favourites. Two titles in three years in Belfast, an 11th ranking title overall, and another major performance in a final all point to a player who remains firmly at the top end of the game.
