Newly-crowned world champion Wu Yize sits just 47th in snooker’s all-time prize money rich list
Wu Yize recently won the World Snooker Championship(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Newly-crowned world champion Wu Yize has yet to break into snooker’s all-time prize money elite.
The 22-year-old beat Shaun Murphy in the recent World Snooker Championship final, taking home £500,000 for his victory.
Wu delivered a stunning 18-17 win at the Crucible to claim the sport’s most prestigious title. Despite this, the emerging talent sits just 47th in the all-time rich list, while two well-known names also fail to make the top five.
Snooker icons Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis amassed a combined 13 world titles throughout their distinguished careers, yet neither player appears in the top five.
Davis dominated the Crucible during the 1980s, lifting six world championship trophies, and retired with 28 ranking titles to his name. The 68-year-old hung up his cue in 2016, with CueTracker recording his career prize money at £5.6million, placing him 10th on the all-time list, four positions below Hendry.
The Scotsman secured seven world titles, a record he shares with Ronnie O’Sullivan, yet his £8.8m in prize money leaves him trailing in sixth place.
CueTracker confirms that O’Sullivan remains the sport’s greatest all-time earner.
‘The Rocket’, who has claimed 41 ranking event victories, has accumulated £15.1m in prize money, a remarkable £4m ahead of his nearest rival.
Despite O’Sullivan leading the rich list, numerous other players have built substantial fortunes within the sport. Fellow Class of ’92 icon John Higgins holds second position, with the 50-year-old having amassed an impressive £11.1m in prize money.
Current world No.1 Judd Trump sits fourth with £10m, positioning him ahead of four-time world champion Mark Selby, who has collected £9.2m in prize money, reports the Express.
Ronnie O’Sullivan leads snooker’s all-time prize money list(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Mark Williams ensures all three members of the renowned Class of ’92 appear within the top five, having secured £9m throughout his career.
While Hendry falls marginally short of Williams’ total, his prize money haul places him ahead of Neil Robertson, who has banked £8.2m.
Meanwhile, recent world championship runner-up Shaun Murphy holds eighth spot with £7.1m, followed by Mark Allen’s £6.1m in prize money.
Beyond the top 10, notable names include 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson in 12th place with £5.2m, followed by snooker legend Jimmy White on £4.9m.
Ali Carter (16th, £4m), Ken Doherty (17th, £3.8m) and Peter Ebdon (19th, £3.6m) also appear within the top 20. Last year’s World Snooker Championship winner Zhao Xintong sits 28th with £2.3m.
Wu’s recent winnings have elevated him to 47th on the list, just above Dennis Taylor, with his career earnings now reaching £1.4m. Wu’s compatriot Ding Junhui sits 11th with a remarkable £5.4m.
O’Sullivan has the chance to strengthen his position at the summit of the all-time prize money rankings as he gears up to compete in the World Seniors Championship. ‘The Rocket’ is due to make his debut appearance at the tournament on Friday, with the competition offering a top prize of £30,000.
Snooker all-time prize money list top 10
1. Ronnie O’Sullivan – £15.1m
2. John Higgins – £11.1m
3. Judd Trump – £10m
4. Mark Selby – £9.2m
5. Mark Williams – £9m
6. Stephen Hendry – £8.8m
7. Neil Robertson – £8.2m
8. Shaun Murphy £7.1m
9. Mark Allen – £6.1m
10. Steve Davis – £5.6m