Six and a half years after his last ranking title win, Kent’s Barry Hawkins is back in the winners circle once more.

He beat Judd Trump 9-6 to lift the European Masters title on Sunday evening in Germany.

The Hawk has been in good form throughout the tournament. Beating current World Champion Luca Brecel in the Quarter finals before beating friend and former World Champion Mark Selby in the semi-final.

It marks a return to form for the Hawk who had a dismal 2022 season that saw him miss out on a place at the Crucible. Although he went one better this season having lost to Kyren Wilson in the European Masters final 12 months ago.

He raced into a 7-3 over Trump, but as with Trump he wouldn’t let Barry get away and kept the pressure, on but ultimately the Hawk held his nerve to get over the winning line once again.

Having bagged his fourth ranking title last night, 2023 has got off to the best possible start and he will look to carry that form into upcoming tournaments as he hunts ranking title number five.

Speaking after the tournament victory to World Snooker, Hawkins said: “It feels amazing. There was a stage of the match where I thought it was happening again. I lost my way, but towards the end I got my focus back and it was a weird feeling. I started feeling calm again. It was strange. I obviously got a bit of help from Judd today which I am thankful for, because once he gets going he is so dangerous. I battled hard today. It wasn’t a free flowing match but it doesn’t matter at the end of the day. I’m just so happy to pick up another trophy,” said an elated Hawkins.

“When he is coming back at you it is hard not to think the worst sometimes. It has been such a long time since I was in the winner’s enclosure. You forget how it feels. I managed to stay as calm as possible and I fell over the line in the end.

“It is hard to describe the feeling. It is massive elation and massive relief. I’ve finally won a tournament, but all of a sudden you come down again. It is back down to earth again now and onto the next one.

“It is up there with, if not the best win of my career. All the great players were here this week and the match against Selby was such a feather in my cap. It was a high quality game and put me under so much pressure. I stood up to it and was really pleasing.”

Images courtesy of World Snooker