Maguire Named Player of the Month for July
Stephen Maguire has been voted at the WPBSA Players’ Player of the Month for July after his victory at the season-opening Championship League Snooker Ranking Event in Leicester.
Scotland’s Maguire defeated Joe O’Connor 3-1 in the final to end a five-year title drought since his previous success at the 2020 Tour Championship and lift the seventh ranking event title of his career.
The 44-year-old secured 60% of the vote from his fellow players to claim the July award ahead of England’s O’Connor and Belgian starlet Ben Mertens, who reached the last eight stage of a world ranking event for the first time.
Maguire succeeds inaugural award winner Marco Fu, who was voted the inaugural Player of the Month for June after his own strong start to the new campaign.
Following his victory at the Championship League, Maguire told WST: “I’m just relieved, it has been a long event, I have been up and down the motorway a few times but it’s a good reward in the end.
“It felt different today because there were eight players left and we knew someone was going home with the trophy. To be the last man standing and to win a title this early in the season, I’m delighted. It gives me a head start qualifying for the World Grand Prix and other events and gives me extra confidence.”
Ken Doherty, WPBSA Players Chairman said: “Well done to Stephen Maguire who played fantastic snooker to win his seventh ranking event title at the recent Championship League. We all know how good Stephen is and perhaps this victory can be the springboard to him climbing back up the world rankings over the coming months. Time will tell!”
About the Award
Launched by WPBSA Players, the Players’ Player of the Month award recognises outstanding performance, as voted by fellow players. Its key aim is to honour excellence, consistency, and impact on the table, as recognised by those who understand the demands of the game best.
Each month throughout the 2025/26 season a shortlist will be compiled by an independent panel. The panel includes renowned snooker broadcasters David Hendon and Abigail Davies, sports journalist Phil Haigh and WPBSA Players Director Tian Pengfei. The shortlist will consider performances in all completed events for the corresponding month, so for example the Shanghai Masters will be considered in the August award.
WPBSA Players’ Player of the Month Winners 2025/26
June – Marco Fu
July – Stephen Maguire