The Masters snooker 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Neil Robertson vs John Higgins kicks off iconic tournament – updates

Master Banker

This year's Masters prize pool has been increased by a whopping £290,000!

The player who goes home with the Paul Hunter trophy will also receive a huge cheque for £350,000 - the single biggest prize the tournament has ever paid out.

Here is a full breakdown of the pot:

• Winner: £350,000
• Runner-up: £140,000
• Semi-finals: £75,000
• Quarter-finals: £40,000
• Last 16: £25,000
• High break: £15,000
• Total: £1,015,000

Masters draw

All matches are best of 11 frames until the final, which is the best of 19.

Sunday, January 12
Afternoon session (1pm GMT)

• Neil Robertson vs John Higgins (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson (R1)

Monday, January 13
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Mark Selby vs Ali Carter (R1)

Tuesday, January 14
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui (R1)

Wednesday, January 15
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda (R1)

Evening session (7pm GMT)

• Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin (R1)

Good afternoon and welcome to SunSport’s live coverage of the Masters!

The 51st Masters begins TODAY - and some huge names are set to feature.

On Friday, defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the event on medical grounds, meaning Rocket won’t claim a record-extending ninth title at Alexandra Palace.

English Open champion Neil Robertson replaces O’Sullivan in the 16-player field and will take on John Higgins in the tournament opener.

The Masters is the second Triple Crown event of the year after the UK Championship, which was won by World No1 Judd Trump.

Should Trump also win the Masters, he will need just the World Championship title to claim a rare Triple Crown Grand Slam.