Shaun Murphy beats Anthony McGill in tense final to claim British Open 2025 title and £100,000 in prize money

The 2025 British Open final will be contested between Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill in Cheltenham. Both players beat world champions in the semi-finals to reach the final, with McGill knocking out compatriot John Higgins with a 6-3 victory as Murphy showed his scoring class to dump defending champion Mark Selby 6-1. The first player to 10 frames claims the trophy and £100,000 first prize.

'He's like the GOAT' - Snooker's current crop have their say on 'legend' Steve Davis

Video credit: TNT Sports

Shaun Murphy won the final four frames to beat Anthony McGill 10-7 and win the British Open. his first ranking title in two years – though he did win last season's Masters. McGill, meanwhile, had considered giving up the game recently, but is now back into the top 50 – a decent week's work, though he was too disappointed to acknowledge it in the moment of defeat. He had led 7-6 in a match that was tight for almost its entire duration, but Murphy, the best player in the competition, then found an extra gear to secure victory.

Shaun speaks

Unibet British Open

‘No one in their wildest dreams’ - Murphy delighted with British Open triumph

29/09/2025 at 08:37

He says Anthony is a really good player and pushed him hard. But he's really happy to have won – he didn't expect to – and he thanks Peter Ebdon and his partner Jo, saying "we're involved in a lot of things and she's the power that keeps it all going". Finally, he notes that there are lots of great players playing well and it's wonderful to have another trophy.

Anthony speaks

He's really down, congratulating Shaun but saying the match was there for the taking, but he didn't step up. That's harsh on him – he played a really good opponent, in great form.

Shaun Murphy beats Anthony McGill 10-7 to win the 2025 British Open

Shaun's played superbly this week – and also today, polishing off the tournament with four frames on the spin. It's more than two years since he won a ranking event, and he's a very happy man – though let's forget Anthony. It's great to see him back.

Murphy 9-7 McGill (63-43)

Anthony misses first time and it takes a while to reset the balls; green and blue are blocking the route to the red. Then, when he hits, he offers a long clip to left corner ... oh that's vintage! Shaun neeeds to the green, and he's going to win the 2025 British Open!

Murphy 9-7 McGill (49-43)

The final red is now in baulk, not far off the side; he tries to get in behind it, but ends up next to it. Reprieve for Anthony, who's now snookered.

Murphy 9-7 McGill (40-43)

Shaun promotes both difficult reds, then defty cuts one to middle. This beginning to feel like his title, and the way he's turned on the gas in this final mini-sesh is very impressive.

Murphy 9-7 McGill (9-43)

There's an insect on the back of Anthony's waistcoat as he goes at a red to right corner ... and it stays out! There's a lot of work to do, given two reds next to each other near the side cushion, but this is a chance to dish for the title. A really good ball, sent long to the yellow bag, keeps him in the hunt/

Murphy 9-7 McGill (0-43)

Patiently, Anthony accumulates. The break will soon get as little harder, but he's cueing nicely and looking good to pull a frame back.

Murphy 9-7 McGill (0-20)

Anthony has stones for weeks and he slots a straight opener into right corner. He then breaks the pack hard, sendiong claret all over, and this is a chance to score.

Murphy 9-7 McGill

There's no doubt who the better player is at the moment; Shaun is handling the pressure superbly, and it's hard to see him losing three straight frames given the way he's playing.

Murphy 8-7 McGill (45-0)

Anthony misses a shot-to-nothing cut-back, leaving a shot-to-nothing double; Shaun gets really close, but the ball stays out. No matter! He soon nails a much harder cross-double, adds the yellow, breaks reds, and this should be two up with three to play.

Murphy 8-7 McGill (34-0)

Shaun lands in the pack with the pink returning to its spot to be touching the white; he plays away and that'll be a relief for Anthony, who'd have feart match was being taken from him.

Murphy 8-7 McGill (13-0)

Shaun is kicking for home. He's in again at the start of frame 16 and if he could take this one too, it'd be three on the spin and one needed for victory.

Murphy 8-7 McGill

The frames are getting longer as the end is getting closer. It's great stuff.

Murphy 7-7 McGill (72-38)

Snookers, escapes, then Anthony flukes the yellow and snookers himself on the green. He hits and on we go, but I don't think there's much left in this frame.

Murphy 7-7 McGill (72-38)

Shaun secures the lead and goes two away ... or does he? He's got a red with the rest and down the side to guarantee Anthony doesn't come back to the table, it's in ... and somehow it's out. He needs two snookers ... and after potting a few balls, lays one; the escape is nicely handled.

Murphy 7-7 McGill (35-30)

A delicate blue, a caress of what's left of the pack, and it opens nicely. This is going to be the lead back for shaun.

Murphy 7-7 McGill (6-30)

Here it comes ... he's going to punch a red to left corner and career into the rump ... and it works out very nicely indeed. A poor black, though, means a nasty recovery-pot to the yellow bag, it stays out, and Shaun now has a chance to score.

Murphy 7-7 McGill (0-22)

And the first chance goes to Anthony, who picks off loose balls – but he'll soon need to open the pack.

Murphy 7-7 McGill

A re-rack is quickly agreed.

Murphy 7-7 McGill

Both players are playing well, and it's now a best of five.

Murphy 6-7 McGill (55-9)

Shaun builds his lead, and there's no reason to think he's not levelling us up again. He's worked his way through these balls really well, and under serious pressure too.

Murphy 6-7 McGill (11-9)

Looking to coax an oblique pink to middle, Anthony gets so close, the pink rolls across the lip, teeters ... and stays out Chance for Shaun to score – and heavily.

Murphy 6-7 McGill (2-8)

Shaun clips from centre to corner, nicely done, then my computer crashes, returning for me to see Anthony at the table. There are reds loose, and the black has just been returned to the pnk spot.

Murphy 6-7 McGill (1-0)

Anthony leaves a dart to middle ... and Shaun slots it nicely then snuggles up to the green but from underneath; the escape is good enough. The match is slowing down...

Murphy 6-7 McGill

A run of 73 and Anthony needs three more for a career-reviving victory.

Murphy 6-6 McGill (0-76)

Anthony secures the frame and retakes the lead. He's not for wilting.

Murphy 6-6 McGill (0-46)

If Anthony wins today, he goes straight into the Champion of Champions, the Tour Championship and probably the Players Championship. That's a lot of money there, in addition to the £100,000 prize he'd take home.

Murphy 6-6 McGill (0-46)

It's Anthony in next and looking assured. He'll need a couple of reds from the pack, but there's no reason to think he won't manage them.

Murphy 6-6 McGill (0-16)

Shaun pushes a red towards right corner, doesn't get cover, and Anthony clips it home. He'll soon have to dig into the pack ... no he won't, he doesn't get position to, so it's a safety behind but not tight to the green.

Our players return

This is going to be great.

Murphy 6-6 McGill

Yup, we're level again as we take our final interval. Both men are playing well, while exhibiting occasional nerves.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (63-32)

Shaun secures the frame and with it parity; this is brewing into another blinder of a finish.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (36-32)

Going at one to corner, Anthony is really close ... but not close enough. This allows Shaun a chance to level us back up again, but the clear-up, though very doable, isn't that easy.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (31-32)

Anthony bins loose balls, and if he can go two in front, the next frame – after the interval – is massive. Ach, but as I type he overruns, isn't on his next red, and plays back to baulk.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (31-11)

Now then: Shaun goes in-off, offering a diagonal starter to right corner, and Anthony tickles it down. The way the balls are, and especially with the black now available, you expect him to secure the frame at this visit.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (31-0)

Gosh, having missed two blacks off the spot, Shaun now misses a pink off the black spot; this time, though, it doesn't cost him anything, Anthony opening a few balls before pinning white to baulk rail.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (23-0)

Shaun runs out of position so refuses a tricky pot to snuggle in behind the green; Anthony's escape leaves him another chance, and this is a chance to level us up once more.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (15-0)

Anthony goes hard at a longun to left corner, misses, almost flukes a different ball into right, and leaves a starter. So off goes Shaun, who works his way up the table, where the pink sits on the black spot.

Murphy 5-6 McGill (5-0)

This is the final frame of a mini-sesh that's absolutely flown by, and Shaun starts it with an opener slammed into right corner, but he doesn't get the kiss on the green he needs, so slides in behind the brown; Anthony misses with his first escape and hits with his second.

Murphy 5-6 McGill

A 77 clear-up, and Anthony is back in the lead. He wants this so, so badly.

Murphy 5-5 McGill (38-37)

Anthony closes the gap, but will now need to break the pack off the black ... and the shot works out well. He's going back into the lead and again, Shaun only has himself to blame.

Murphy 5-5 McGill (38-0)

Shaun ruffles the pack band he's OK, rolling a red parallel with the side rail into right corner. But then, out of nowhere, he misses another black off its spot, and again, Anthony has a chance to punish

Murphy 5-5 McGill (8-0)

A lovely red from Shaun to get in, then a brave brown follows ... only to botch a red with the rest. "Call the police," says Ken; when he won the Masters, the Magician didn't miss a single ball in that way. Anthony, though, can't sink his starter, so is now sitting at the side watching his opponent accumulate.

Murphy 5-5 McGill

A run of 81 stops the rot. Both players are bang into this, and I've not a clue which will win.

Murphy 5-4 McGill (15-66)

Anthony secures the frame, and we're back level. Shaun will be raging with himself for leaving that black short.

Murphy 5-4 McGill (15-39)

Anthony looked a bit nervous this evening, or at least the way he was playing suggested that. This is exactly what he needed to settle.

Murphy 5-4 McGill (15-17)

Anthony goes hard at a longun, misses by miles, and brings a red down the table which Shaun uses to get himself away. He is not someone to whom you want to hand opportunities, but what has he done!? Looking to slide black to corner, he underhits it, and that offers his opponent an opportunity; very quickly, the pack is broken, and this should be the frame.

Murphy 5-4 McGill

Seventy-eight and the frame, Shaun hitting the front for the first time in the match having taken three frames on the spin – and with decent-sized breaks too.

Murphy 4-4 McGill (73-0)

Shaun bumps the pack, developing another ball, and he's looking very confident about the table. The frame will soon be secure, after which it'l be time to focus on the maxi. Oooh, but as I type, he overscrews, so has to go down the table for green; he won't mind too much.

Murphy 4-4 McGill (48-0)

More red-blacks, but there are five of the former under the pink that'll need shifting – though Shaun can secure the frame with the balls that are loose.

Murphy 4-4 McGill (16-0)

If Shaun plays his best stuff this evening, he'll be very difficult to stop, because he's capable of peeling off a run of frames barely missing a ball. Anthony, though, has everything necessary to stop him: a terrific safety game and the ability to craft big breaks. But he issues with the rest, leaving exactly the kind of opportunity any player, but The Magician in particular, will have dreamt of. And is there a maxi out there for him?

Our boyz baize

First to win six more frames wins the trophy.

Anthony

It's been a tough stretch for Anthony. He'd slipped out of the world top 50, was concerned about dropping off the tour, and thinking about a new career. But class is class, he has it because he'll always have it, and he's already back in amongst it thanks to his week's work. If he can win tonight, though, he'll really be talking.

A reminder

Last Sunday – when we were delivered a final-frame shoot-out – we were playing first to nine. Tonight, it's first to 10. Good.

Evening all

This is set up isn't it?

Shaun Murphy produced three sparkling centuries against Anthony McGill as the opening session of a heavy-scoring British Open final in Cheltenham finished all square at 4-4.

The 2005 world champion watched McGill open the match with breaks of 68 and 78 to lead 2-0 before rolling in 101 to claim his first frame of the day at The Centaur.

But the theme of McGill punishing Murphy's errors continued in the fourth frame with the Scot constructing 109 to move 3-1 clear at the mid-session interval.

Masters holder Murphy, who had defeated Neil Robertson, Judd Trump and Mark Selby in his run to the final, responded with a majestic clearance of 132 to close to 3-2 behind, only for his opponent to pinch the sixth frame on the final black to lead 4-2.

But McGill was denied the chance to carry a lead into the evening session with Murphy finishing strongly with 78 and 112 to leave the final finely poised before they play to a finish at 7pm on Sunday evening.

The first man to 10 frames will claim the Clive Everton Trophy and £100,000 winner's cheque.

Latest: Murphy 4-4 McGill

Murphy 3-4 McGill (118-0)

Break reaches 94 with five colours remaining. In goes the brown to bring up the century. A third of the session. Can't play much better than this. 112 from Murphy. He levels at 4-4 before the resume at 7pm this evening.

Murphy 3-4 McGill (72-0)

Chance for Shaun to finish the first session with a trio of tons. Quality ball striking and then some.

Murphy 3-4 McGill (61-0)

Finely poised for this evening at 4-4. Best of 11 frame match for the Clive Everton Trophy and £100,000 winner's cheque.

Murphy 3-4 McGill (44-0)

Break reaches 38 as reds continue to disappear in a blur. Not much more required to finalise this frame.

Murphy 3-4 McGill (25-0)

Murphy eyes up a red to left centre to break the deadlock. Corking pot on a red. Straight cueing. Golden chance to level at 4-4 with reds wide open. It is fill your boots time out there.

Murphy 3-4 McGill (6-0)

Murphy would dearly like to get out of this session at 4-4 after playing catch-up all afternoon. White near the top cush so a bout of safety in progress.

Murphy 2-4 McGill (85-9)

Could we be witnessing a third century from Murphy in this first session? And answer is no. 78 the break from Shaun as pink to left middle stays up. But no matter. One more frame to come then this afternoon.

Murphy 2-4 McGill (48-9)

This is very good from Murphy. Has been completely dialled into this break since canning the tough pink. Just draining a lot of these balls dead weight. Looks like it is heading back to 4-3 with one more frame to come before the mid-session interval.

Murphy 2-4 McGill (18-9)

Murphy into the lead in frame after draining a red to a top pocket. Fine pot. And pink is negotiated to left centre seconds later. Made sure he stayed down on that shot for as long as possible.

Murphy 2-4 McGill (7-9)

Ant misses an exacting long red attempt, but Murphy can only respond with seven. Which is not exactly what he was seeking.

Murphy 2-4 McGill (0-9)

McGill with a superb long double on a red down the table to yellow pocket. An inventive effort if ever you seen one. Runs safe seconds later. McGill rising to the occasion today.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (52-61)

And McGill sees out the red and colours to move 4-2 ahead of Murphy, who was unfortunate to see the final red stick in the jaws of a top pocket.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (52-36)

McGill with opportunity of a steal as he pops in red followed by green to right centre.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (52-30)

A lead of 16 points quickly moves to 22 as penultimate red and blue disappear. What does he do here? Could take red down side rail to a top bag. Goes all out for it, but red hangs agonisingly in jaws. So, so close to a frame-winner.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (24-30)

One tricky red remaining near side cush in baulk. Apart from that, this is chance to level up the final at 3-3. Might leave that red for a double.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (10-30)

But McGill can't extend his visit to table with tricky red just catching the jaws of the middle pocket. Murphy again looking to cash in on the McGill mishap.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (3-22)

McGill needs one more frame to ensure he doesn't trail going into the second and final session, and he has been presented with chance to move further clear after safety error by Murphy.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (3-15)

McGill happy to fight fire with fire. Refusing to step off pace, but he then misses an easy brown off spot. That is a bad miss. Murphy might well feed off it here. But he jaws a mid-range red. Well, didn't expect to see that. McGill not punished.

Murphy 2-3 McGill (0-8)

Two centuries from Murphy so far, and he trails 3-2. Really is a harsh school at the highest level of the sport. Murphy gets us moving for frame six in Cheltenham. Super long red by Antman straight off the bat. And a decent split on pack of reds too.

Murphy 1-3 McGill (133-0)

'The Magician' waves his wand at The Centaur. A supreme 132 break from Shaun. Back to 3-2 behind in race to 10. Really is a job to behold.

Murphy 1-3 McGill (83-0)

A rapid kill here by Murphy. This is what he is looking for. Wanting to win frames quickly to gain momentum is key in big matches.

Murphy 1-3 McGill (51-0)

Murphy springing to life in Cheltenham. Cracking shot on blue to split the reds. And he is right in business now. Chance of a third century of this final. Which is romping along at a fair old rate here.

Murphy 1-3 McGill (14-0)

Terrific long red from Shaun and he is straight into the pack off black too. Chance then to build a lead in this fifth frame.

Murphy 1-3 McGill (1-0)

Murphy seeing a cutback black end up jamming in a top bag. Was far from easy, but also suggests the pressure is firmly on here in this final. McGill playing a very smart match so far.

Latest: Murphy 1-3 McGill

McGill with breaks of 68, 78 and 109 after Murphy produced 101 in the third frame. Not really a match where either player wants to be missing easy balls.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-109)

A total clearance of 109 from McGill to lead 3-1. Looking very, very good indeed among the balls.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-82)

This is much more like peak McGill. Not the world No. 57. Incredible really he is ranked so low in this form. Stunning trick shot to pot yellow out of a snooker. Could be a century here.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-60)

Murphy missed a red to left-corner and has been sat down since that juncture. McGill is punishing the Murphy errors so far. Which applies pressure to the Murphy long game.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-47)

Building up a lead in this frame and also a head of steam in this latest visit to the table. Looks ideally place to lead 3-1 at the break.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-9)

McGill can't put away a demanding plant on reds, but Murphy then fails to sink a longish red. Well now. McGill presented with chance to get hand on table as red and tricky black are downed.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (14-0)

Shaun continues to play the aggressive snooker that has carried him this far. In goes a red to left middle. But not on colour. Runs up behind the yellow as preferred option.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (13-0)

Murphy taking over two minutes to play a safety shot, but gets the pace right by rolling back to baulk to nestle near yellow on cush.

Murphy 1-2 McGill (13-0)

Shaun suddenly finding his way into the final with a superb shot on reds, involving screw and side, seeing him develop the pack off a pot on a red. What is it they used to say? Don't split the reds off another red? Murphy out of position after slotting red with rest. But least he gets next shot in running safe.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (106-0)

In goes the century! TON Up! 101 of the very best from the 2005 world champion. McGill leads 2-1. One more frame before the mid-sesh.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (73-0)

In goes the frame-ball black to seal the frame. A few more balls to be potted in this break.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (57-0)

Lovely pot on a high black to come back out perfectly for the next red. Looks like the McGill lead will be 2-1 after this Murphy contribution. All business out there.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (42-0)

Murphy back at the table here after a stunning pot on a red and looking to get his first frame of the final on the scoreboard.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (5-0)

A tight start to the third frame. Murphy almost making a huge blunder to leave McGill an easy starter, but red bounced away from pocket enough. Reds well split as McGill plays a nice containing safety shot. Murphy responds with an excellent safety of his own.

Murphy 0-2 McGill (0-0)

Much has been made of Murphy being a strong front-runner, but McGill isn't scared of the winning line either if the chance presents itself.

Murphy 0-1 McGill (14-110)

A 78 break from the world No. 57 in the second frame before he wanders off for a quick comfort break. Murphy yet to join the party in this final.

Murphy 0-1 McGill (14-81)

A similar story to the first frame. Murphy missing easy balls and Antman just picking up the pieces. Anthony settling nicely here, and is going to hold a 2-0 lead in this final.

Murphy 0-1 McGill (14-41)

No big hit this time though as another red to left centre refuses to go. Murphy tries to pick out a tough cut on a red seconds later, but doesn't go and suddenly McGill is gifted another fine chance with reds splattered all over the show via Murphy's miss. Huge chance to move 2-0 clear.

Murphy 0-1 McGill (0-9)

McGill trying to keep his opponent on a short leash and prompts another error as a red to left middle from tight in baulk doesn't disappear. Was a tough ask, and Antman is first in here again in frame two.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (28-85)

A 68 clearance from the Scotsman sees him lead 1-0 in the race to 10. Murphy left with food for thought as the missed pink costs him dearly.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (28-54)

Excellent from McGill. Really nice contribution from Ant as he punishes the Murphy miss on pink to see this frame away. Just like he did against Higgins yesterday.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (28-33)

But no frame-clinching visit as a tricky pink to left centre doesn't drop. A reprieve for Ant, and not much safe on this table when he returns to the baize.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (7-17)

Excellent pot on a red to left centre by Shaun. That will do his confidence no harm at all.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (1-17)

Break ends on 17 as he fails to sink a cutback black running into the pack. A premature end to his visit, but Shaun doesn't punish, with a red to green pocket staying out. Antman back at the table, but he jaws red using rest. A few early nerves out there.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (1-16)

Lovely long red by Ant and he holds well too for the black left on by Murphy. Important for the Scot to make a positive start to this final, you suspect.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (1-0)

Early red stuck over a top bag by Ant, but only costs him one point as black doesn't drop for Shaun along top cush.

Murphy 0-0 McGill (0-0)

Off we go then for the first frame of a possible 19. McGill with a decent break-off shot at The Centaur. Eight frames to be played this afternoon. And another 11 if required this evening.

McGill finds long and winding road to redemption

Anthony McGill has floated the idea of following in his father's footsteps to become a lorry driver, but the no-nonsense Scotsman appears to have found the road to redemption as a professional snooker player. With his world ranking plummeting to 57 from a career-high of 12 only two years ago, the former Crucible semi-finalist has rediscovered some peak form to reach the British Open final.