Snooker
Judd Trump Looking to Join Exclusive UK Championship ‘Mount Rushmore’ Club
Judd Trump has reached his fifth UK Championship final and is aiming to defend his title in York. A win would give him a third UK crown and place him alongside O’Sullivan, Hendry and Davis as back-to-back champions. Despite a mixed 2025, Trump says lifting a Triple Crown trophy would be the perfect ending to his year.
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World number one Judd Trump is eyeing a dream finish to his 2025 calendar year as he books his place in a fifth UK Championship final.
The defending champion defeated three-time winner Neil Robertson 6–3 in York as he aims to go back-to-back at the Barbican.
Remarkably, despite his position at the top of the sport, Trump has not lifted a ranking title in almost a year, his last triumph coming at this very event in 2024.
A defeat in tomorrow’s final would also end his extraordinary run of winning at least one ranking tournament every calendar year since 2014.
A Chance to Rewrite the Season
Trump’s difficult 2025 has been heavily scrutinised, but a Triple Crown title would flip the narrative.
The 36-year-old knows how significant this moment could be.
"I'm hoping that's the storyline that's planned for me.”
"I think it'd be a very fitting way for me to end. The calendar year I think has been of ups and downs, but there's also been a lot of strong points as well.”
Securing His Season — And His Status
Reaching the final has already delivered a major boost to his campaign.
Trump climbs to sixth on the one-year list, effectively securing his place in the Players Series events — the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship.
"Lot of finals reached three finals in the last few weeks, months and obviously the start of the season was strong as well, so it would be amazing to get that confidence and it's also nice to have done well here to kind of secure places in the tournaments come the end of the season as well."
Chasing an Elite Piece of History
Victory tomorrow would not just give Trump his third UK crown; it would elevate him into one of snooker’s rarest clubs.
Only Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis have successfully defended the title, a true ‘Mount Rushmore’ trio of the sport.
"It's not really something that you think of or is going to come into my mind when I'm playing, but obviously after the final, if I was to win then it will be a major achievement for me."
Back-to-Back Finals
Trump admits just reaching consecutive finals is an achievement in itself at such a demanding event.
“It is a tough one to win. So, I think when you win any Triple Crown event it's extremely hard, but I think this must be my first time getting back-to-back finals. So, it's been a great run in this event."
Waiting on Selby or Murphy
Trump now returns to his hotel room to await tonight’s second semi-final between two of the season’s in-form forces, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy, to discover who will stand between him and a slice of snooker history.
Trump tipped Selby as his favourite to win the UK crown — and he could now find himself facing him in tomorrow’s final.
Louis Hobbs is an esteemed authority on all matters sports-related. His wealth of knowledge and experience in sports make him an expert, especially when it comes to darts and snooker, which are his passions. Louis also has a deep affection for US sports, with basketball and American football his favourites.