After winning the German Masters, Judd Trump joins Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Championship League.
After the schedule was changed, Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan are now scheduled to play in the same Championship League group at the end of the month.
At the German Masters on Sunday, Trump defeated Si Jiahui in the championship match to claim his fourth ranking title of the year in Berlin.
After his achievements in Germany and with the Welsh Open commencing on Monday, the Ace—who was scheduled to play in the Championship League in Leicester this week—will now play in Group 7 on February 28–29. O’Sullivan and Si will also be participating in the competition at that point.
It remains to be seen if we will see the two players of the season in Group 7, as withdrawals are common in the Championship League. However, there is a chance for an incredible final group, in which the seven group winners will square off for the title on March 1-2.
Two players have already secured their places in the Winners’ Group: Chris Wakelin and Stuart Bingham. A third player will join them on Tuesday.
Group 3 is contested by John Higgins, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson, Tom Ford, and Xiao Guodong for third place.
The top two finishers will be eliminated on Tuesday, while the remaining four will advance to Group 4 on Wednesday along with Barry Hawkins, Jimmy Robertson, and Ricky Walden.
On Friday, Dave Gilbert, Joe Perry, and Fan Zhengyi will enter Group 5. Group 6 is contested on January 26–27, following a break in competition. Jack Lisowski, Hossein Vafaei, and Ali Carter are scheduled to participate.
Higgins replaced Carter, who was scheduled to compete in Group 3 this week as he attempts to win the competition for a record-tying third consecutive year.
The Wizard of Wishaw is the player with the most Invitational Championship League victories—four—and he will be eager to continue his incredible run in this tournament after a poor run of victories in other contests.
After winning his third German Masters championship on Sunday, Trump’s incredible season continued. He acknowledges that the prior few years, when he hasn’t been winning as many trophies, have inspired him.
“People have been quick to point that out after the last couple of seasons, where I haven’t been winning four, five, or six titles,” he remarked. It’s good to be doing it this season once more.
Maybe hearing what some people say behind closed doors helps me get to the point where I can consistently deliver it. I’ve always been incredibly committed. Something just gets ignited when you see places like this.
