Wild card for Walden

Walden: Masters wild card

I've never played at the Crucible or Wembley and I want to be on the big stage with the top players and showing people what I can do.

Ricky Walden
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Ricky Walden will make his Masters debut in January after being handed a wild card entry into the biggest invitational event in snooker.

Walden bagged his maiden ranking event title at the Shanghai Masters in October, with a final victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, and now his rise in the game has continued.

The world number 35 has jumped up into 18th in the provisional standings after his performances this season, and that form has secured him a spot in the prestigious event at Wembley Arena.

Flintshire potter Walden will take on Mark King on Sunday January 11 - with the tournament running until the 18th.

Delighted

"I'm delighted to get the wild card," said Walden.

"I always thought I'd have to get into the top 16 before I played in the Masters, so to get in now is fantastic as it's a massive tournament.

"This makes winning the tournament in Shanghai even more special.

"I've never played at the Crucible or Wembley and I want to be on the big stage with the top players and showing people what I can do."

Walden was on holiday in Las Vegas when he heard the news of his Masters entry - and he admits he had his eye on proceedings back home.

Watching

After failing to qualify for the UK Championship, Walden was watching the likes of Mark Williams, Matthew Stevens and Stephen Lee - who all could have made the Masters with a win in Telford.

"I knew that if one of them won it, they'd have a good chance of getting the wild card," added Walden.

"I can enjoy the rest of my holiday now.

"I've got a lot of pals in London so it will be a dream to play there and I'll be giving it everything."

Walden completes the field for the Masters after teenager Judd Trump earned the other wild card by winning the qualifying event last month.