Judd Trump Wins the 2024 UK Championship Beating Barry Hawkins in the Final

World number one Judd Trump lived up to his billing as the favourite by securing a hard-fought victory over underdog Barry Hawkins in the 2024 UK Championship final. 

In a pulsating best-of-19 encounter, Trump claimed his second UK title, taking home the massive £250,000 top prize, while Hawkins, competing in his first UK Championship final and only his fourth Triple Crown final, earned a well-deserved £100,000 runner-up purse.

Tale of the Tape

Trump’s path to the final showcased his dominance, as he dispatched three-time champion Neil Robertson, survived a scare with snooker legend John Higgins, and dismantled 147 hero Zhang Anda. 

In the semi-finals, he delivered a commanding performance against reigning world champion Kyren Wilson.

Hawkins, meanwhile, proved he was no pushover. His campaign began with a statement win over defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, followed by victories against David Gilbert, Shaun Murphy, and Mark Allen. 

However, the 44-year-old’s semi-final battle against Allen proved gruelling, finishing at 1 AM on the day of the final, leaving Hawkins just 12 hours to recover before facing Trump.

A Narrow Afternoon Edge for Trump

The opening session in York set the stage for a closely contested final. Trump took the first frame with a composed 73 break, only for Hawkins to respond in style with a superb 116 and a clinical 70 clearance, levelling the match at 2-2 heading into the mid-session interval.

After the break, Hawkins had opportunities to score heavily but faltered at crucial moments, allowing Trump to seize control. 

Winning three of the next four frames, Trump edged ahead 5-3 as the players headed into the evening session. 

With the finish line in sight, Trump’s resilience and precision appeared to give him the upper hand, but Hawkins had already demonstrated throughout the tournament that he could never be written off.

Maintaining the Two Frame Gap

A couple hours later, the standard sustained its cagey feel, with neither player finding their peak form. 

The first four frames of the session were evenly split, with both Trump and Hawkins capitalising on key moments but also letting chances slip. 

Trump managed to maintain the two-frame cushion he had established earlier in the day, holding a 7-5 lead as the tension in York continued to build.

Edge of Glory for Trump

As the evening progressed, Trump tightened his grip on the match, winning three of the next four frames to move within one of UK Championship glory. 

This dominant stretch featured a spectacular 133 break, his highest of the tournament, showcasing the clinical precision that has defined his career.

Hawkins’ Late Fightback

Just when it seemed the match was slipping away, Hawkins summoned a remarkable resurgence. 

Shaking off the fatigue from his gruelling semi-final, he found his rhythm and froze Trump out of the next two frames. With composed breaks of 75 and 82, Hawkins clawed his way back to 9-8, setting up a dramatic finish.

Trump Lifts His Second UK Championship Crown

Hawkins' spirited comeback was a testament to his determination, but Trump ultimately proved why he’s the world number one. 

After Hawkins narrowly missed a red into the left middle pocket in the final frame, Trump capitalised on the opportunity, producing a composed clearance that left Hawkins needing snookers. Barry managed to get one, but it wasn't enough as Trump sank a stunning long brown to clinch the match 10-8.

This victory marked Trump’s second UK Championship title — his first coming 13 years earlier in 2011. It also secured his fifth Triple Crown victory, placing him alongside the legendary Alex Higgins and further cementing his place in snooker history.