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China’s 22-year-old sensation Wu Yize has landed in snooker's all-time rich list after receiving a big payout for his World Snooker Championship title.
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Wu Yize kisses his World Snooker Championship trophy after the final on May 4, 2026. Photo by AFP |
Wu's £500,000 (US$681,000) winner's check propelled him to 47th on the career earnings list.
His dramatic 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy in Sheffield on May 4 did more than just secure his first world title. It brought his career earnings to £1.4 million, moving him past the legendary Dennis Taylor.
In this season alone, Wu has earned £860,000, the South China Morning Post reported.
The list remains dominated by legends and modern-day heavyweights who have benefited from the game's growing prize pools.
Ronnie O’Sullivan continues to reign supreme at the top of the snooker world, according to CueTracker. With 41 ranking titles, "The Rocket" has amassed a staggering £15.1 million in career earnings, placing him £4 million ahead of his nearest rival, John Higgins.
O'Sullivan is set to extend that lead as he makes a highly anticipated debut at the World Seniors Championship on Friday. The tournament has a top prize of £30,000.
Mark Williams, who comes from the same generation as O'Sullivan and Higgins, occupied the fifth spot.
Current world number one Judd Trump has broken into the top five, sitting in fourth place with career winnings totaling £10 million. He remains ahead of four-time world champion Mark Selby, who has earned £9.2 million, according to Express.
The list also revealed a surprising shift for the sport's most decorated players. Despite a combined 13 world titles, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis both fall outside the top five. Hendry sits sixth with £8.8 million, while Davis, the dominant force of the 1980s, occupies the 10th spot with £5.6 million. Their lower rankings highlight how significantly prize money has inflated since their time.
Murphy, who lost to Wu in the 2026 world final, holds eighth spot with £7.1m, followed by Mark Allen with £6.1m.
Further down the rankings, China's presence continues to grow. Ding Junhui remains the nation's highest earner in 11th place with £5.4 million, while 2025 world champion Zhao Xintong currently sits 28th with £2.3 million.
