JUDD TRUMP defeated Martin Gould 3-1 to win the Championship League for the second time at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex on Thursday night.
Trump, the world no.5, had finished fourth in the round robin section but beat Shaun Murphy 3-2 in the semi-finals and made two centuries in the final.
He had previously won the title in 2009 and the £30,800 he earned from the event this year swell his total takings from the Championship League to £90,467, making him the tournament’s highest ever earner.
In addition, Trump receives a place in the prestigious Champion of Champions event next season.
He said: “I always seem to play well here. I was very lucky to get into the top four today and I needed to raise my game for the play-offs, and that is what happened. In the group game against Martin I had to play really well and that got me going in the final tonight.
“The Championship League has been good to me and I enjoy coming here. I go to China now and I want to carry this momentum forward and make sure I finish the season strongly.”
Trump, who won three of his six group matches, began the final with a break of 119, dominated the second and led 64-0 in the third.
However, Gould, who was attempting to defend the title he won 12 months ago, made a brilliant 65 clearance to keep the match alive.
The Londoner was unlucky though in the fourth when a kick let Trump in for his match winning run of 109.
Gould said: “He played very well. I missed a couple of shots early doors and was punished severely. I didn’t get going in the final, especially considering how well I played in the semi-final.
“I am disappointed but you can’t take anything away from Judd. He was the best player in the group. I was glad to get a frame because I wasn’t whitewashed in the tournament and it was good to keep that record.”
Photographs by Monique Limbos.