The 2022 Champion of Champions was played in Bolton, from 31 October to 6 November 2022. Judd Trump was the defending champion. He reached the final again but was beaten 10-6 by Ronnie O’Sullivan

This tournament is open to players who were event winners in the previous year. From Grove, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, and Mark Selby were invited. Mark hadn’t won an event but got an invitation on the basis of his ranking

Neil narrowly lost in the first round to Fan Zhengyi, the European Masters Champion.
Judd and Mark progressed to the semi-finals where they met. Judd prevailed by 6-3 to earn a place in the Final.

There he faced the reigning World Champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan in a “rematch” of their Crucible final last May. Ronnie prevailed again, by 10-6. Judd though fought hard. From 6-1 down he managed to get to 7-6 down before the last MSI. it was in vain though, as Ronnie won the three frames he needed after they resumed playing.

Judd was very disappointed as reported by WST:

“I am disappointed with how I played. I thought Ronnie scored very heavily all day. That puts you under pressure, every time you get a chance you have to clear up in one visit. I obviously didn’t do that enough. His scoring was too heavy and well done to him.

“At that point (the 147 in the seventh frame), I had nothing to lose. I just thought I would go for a max and see what happens. It is always special to make them and even more so in a final against Ronnie. It is another thing ticked off the CV, but I’m disappointed to lose.”

He left his mark on the Final though as he scored a magnificent 147 in frame 8. It was that break that launched his comeback.

Watch it here: