It was announced yesterday that BGC Partners (a global brokerage company) will be the new headline sponsor of snooker’s most important invitational event.

The BGC Masters, as it will be known, starts on Sunday in it’s new home of the Alexandra Palace in London. China’s Ding Junhui is the returning champion and the Provisional World Number 9 (seeded 1 for this event) will be joined by the rest of the Top 16 including Mark Selby, Mark Williams, John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan’s drop in form has set up a massive first round tie against the defending champion Ding, this match kicks off the action on Sunday afternoon, with matches being shown live across the BBC and Eurosport in the UK.

All of the matches (except the final) are best of 11 frames played in one session with the final being best of 19 and played across two sessions on the 22nd January.

Shaun Murphy recently won the first group of the Championship league so carries some form into this tournament along with the UK Champion Judd Trump.

Murphy starts with a tricky tie against one of (if not the most) improved player of the last 18 months in Martin Gould. Whereas Judd starts against another newbie to the top 16 in Stuart Bingham whose form has also been exceptional this last 12 months.

Complete First Round Draw:

1. Ding Junhui v Ronnie O’Sullivan (15th Jan – 1:30pm)
2. Judd Trump v Stuart Bingham (16th Jan – 12:30pm)
3. Neil Robertson v Mark Allen (17th Jan – 7:00pm)
4. Mark Williams v Stephen Maguire (15th Jan – 7:00pm)
5. Mark Selby v Stephen Lee (18th Jan – 12:30pm)
6. Shaun Murphy v Martin Gould  (16th Jan – 12:30pm)
7. Ali Carter v Graeme Dott (18th Jan – 7:00pm)
8. John Higgins v Matthew Stevens (17th Jan – 12:30pm)

The draw is written above in the correct order meaning winner of match 1 will player the winner of match 2 and so on.

The Masters is a very tough tournament to pick a winner as you have all of the top 16 players starting in the first round. Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby will be tough to beat and I expect that Ronnie O’Sullivan will raise his game for one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar.

Prize Fund (£500,000 Total):

• Winner: £150,000
• Runner-up: £75,000
• Semi Finalist: £30,000
• Quarter Finalist: £20,000
• First Round: £15,000
• High Break: £15,000

CuesportNews.com Prediction:

Winner: Neil Robertson

Runner-up: Mark Selby

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