Marvellous Michael White claims Paul Hunter Classic glory
White claimed the second ranking title of his career on Sunday
Michael White claimed the 2017 Paul Hunter Classic title after a 4-2 victory over Shaun Murphy in the final at the Stadthalle in Furth on Sunday.
The 26-year-old secured the second ranking title of his career and top prize of £20,000 after dethroning reigning champion Mark Selby earlier on Finals day, before comfortably dispatching of world number five Murphy in the showpiece.
World number 30 White, who also beat Ian Burns and George Pragnall on Sunday, had won just one of his five previous meetings with Murphy but, ironically, the only victory came at this event in 2011 and it proved to be a good omen.
Appearing in his first ranking final since capturing the 2015 Indian Open crown, ‘Lightning’ opened with a break of 34 and, after Murphy missed an ambitious red to the top corner, followed it up with a run of 45 to draw first blood in a dominant opening frame.
He also took early control of the second frame with a run of 44, before his opponent had a chance to steal following a safety exchange.
However, Murphy missed a tricky final red along the cushion and White cleared to the pink to double his lead.
The Magician, who was appearing in back-to-back ranking finals having also reached the China Championship showpiece just five days earlier, responded well with a neat break of 84 to halve the deficit and get his first frame on the board.
Although, a loose shot in the next saw him move to the brink of defeat, as the Welshman capitalised in style with 83 for a 3-1 advantage.
White had a great chance for frame and match on the colours, but missed a tricky black along the cushion and Murphy knocked it in to stay in with a shout of a third Paul Hunter Classic crown, having won during its Pro-Am era in 2008 and 2009.
Nevertheless, his opponent responded magnificently with a brilliant break of 97 to get over the line.
Paul Hunter Classic 2017 Results
Sunday August 27
Last 16
Gary Wilson 4-2 Chris Wakelin
Peter Lines 0-4 Jamie Jones
Ben Woollaston 4-0 Tom Ford
Shaun Murphy 4-2 Zhao Xintong
Kyren Wilson 3-4 Ian Burns
Michael White 4-1 Mark Selby
George Pragnall 1-4 Mitchell Mann
Mark Joyce 4-3 Mark King
Quarter-Finals
Gary Wilson 2-4 Jamie Jones
Ben Woollaston 2-4 Shaun Murphy
Ian Burns 1-4 Michael White
Mitchell Mann 4-3 Mark Joyce
Semi-Finals
Jamie Jones 3-4 Shaun Murphy
Michael White 4-1 Mitchell Mann
Final
Shaun Murphy 2-4 Michael White