Stephen Maguire is set to face off against Mark Selby in the 2025 Welsh Open final, aiming to clinch his first ranking title in almost five years. The tournament decider, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, will see the victor walk away with a prize of £100,000. Maguire, a former Welsh Open champion, has had a successful career in snooker, accumulating approximately £3.5 million in competition winnings. Despite a relatively quieter season this year with earnings of £57,950 and a world ranking of 29th, a win over Selby could significantly impact his prospects for the rest of 2025.
The Glaswegian player’s most notable payday came in 2020 when he secured the Tour Championship title, taking home a whopping £260,000 after defeating top players like Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, and Mark Allen. Maguire’s career has been accompanied by the unwavering support of his wife, Sharon, with whom he shares three children. He has credited her for helping him manage his emotions on the snooker table, acknowledging her role in keeping him calm during intense matches.
Maguire’s rivalry with fellow professional player Shaun Murphy dates back to 2004 when an incident at the Grand Prix sparked tensions between the two. Despite the feud lasting two decades, Maguire has expressed a willingness to move past the disagreements, highlighting that both players have evolved over the years. While Murphy maintains his innocence regarding past altercations, Maguire has acknowledged that they may never fully resolve their differences but has indicated a level of acceptance and maturity in their interactions.
As Maguire prepares to face Selby in the Welsh Open final, the spotlight is not only on his quest for victory but also on his enduring feud with Murphy. The dynamics of their relationship, marked by competitive spirit and differing perspectives, add an extra layer of intrigue to the snooker world. Fans and spectators eagerly await the outcome of the final match, anticipating not only the sporting spectacle on display but also the underlying narratives that define these players’ journeys in the world of professional snooker.