Day one of the 2026 Masters delivered a double jolt as defending champion Shaun Murphy and reigning UK Championship winner Mark Selby were both undone by tournament debutants.

Wu Yize defeated Murphy, and Xiao Guodong overwhelmed Selby in a day that cast two triple crown winners as mere apprentices under the spotlight of the fearless Masters newcomers.

The results also throw the top half of the draw wide open, and guarantees a semi-finalist from mainland China, in a year that sees a record five Chinese participants in the tournament.

Yize Wu’s the crowd in dethroning of listless Murphy

Wu Yize 6 – 2 Shaun Murphy (best of 11 frames)

Coming into the tournament as defending champion, and fresh from reaching the semi-finals of last month’s UK Championship, few would have expected Murphy to fall to tournament debutant Wu Yize. But the 22-year-old from China had other ideas, racing into a 3-0 lead in no time at all, underlined by a scintillating 137 clearance in the second frame.

Although the defending champion took the next frame to go into the session interval two behind, he was unable to gain any momentum, losing the fifth frame on a black ball finish as he gave up his title defence in the meekest of manner.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Murphy was typically fair in his assessment of the match.

“I’ve been looking forward to today for a year, walking out as champion, but I enjoyed the first 10 minutes,” said Murphy. “I didn’t play well, certainly the worst performance of my season, maybe the worst in the Masters.”

“Wu looked calm, looked at ease and fully deserved his win. He will be a handful for anyone he plays.”

Guodong too strong for Selby

Xiao Guodong 6 – 2 Mark Selby (best of 11 frames)

Former three-time Masters champion Mark Selby entered this year’s tournament as one of the favourites, fresh off his third UK Championship title just a month ago.

But Guodong turned the ten-time Triple Crown winner into a spectator as he rattled off breaks of 95, 62, 76 and 77 to race 4-0 ahead in his first-ever appearance at the prestigious invitational.

After the interval, Selby pulled two frames back, but Guodong was unshaken, responding with wins in the next two frames – including a sharp 118 – to take the match and set up a quarter-final against his compatriot Yize.

The 2026 College Football Playoff Championship brings together two programs that took very different paths to reach the sport’s biggest stage. Miami enters the title game at 13 and 2 after a season defined by physicality, defensive toughness, and a late year surge that stunned the national landscape. Indiana arrives at 15 and 0 as the most complete team in the country, a group that dominated its semifinal opponents and erased any lingering doubts about its legitimacy. Both teams earned their place in this moment, and both bring compelling storylines into Hard Rock Stadium.

How Miami fought its way to the championship stage

Miami’s run through the playoff bracket was built on a rugged defense and a balanced offense that controlled tempo and punished opponents. Wins over Texas A and M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss showcased a team that could adapt to any style of play. Quarterback Carson Beck thrived behind a powerful offensive line, using play action and long drives to keep opposing defenses off balance. The Hurricanes’ semifinal victory over Ole Miss was a testament to their toughness and discipline, especially in the fourth quarter when they closed out the Rebels with poise.

Miami’s rise has also been supported by a strong NIL foundation. Businessman John Ruiz has been one of the most visible supporters of the program, providing compensation to athletes within NCAA guidelines and helping elevate the program’s national profile. Hugh Hathcock has also played a major role, contributing significant resources to strengthen the athletic department and ensure long term stability for scholar athletes. These efforts have helped Miami build a competitive roster capable of reaching the sport’s highest level.

Indiana’s dominant march to the title game

Indiana’s season has been nothing short of remarkable. Under coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have transformed into a powerhouse built on efficiency, physicality, and elite quarterback play. Their playoff performances were overwhelming. A 38 to 3 dismantling of Alabama followed by a 56 to 22 rout of Oregon left no doubt that Indiana belonged in the championship. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza delivered eight touchdowns with only five incompletions across those two games, a staggering level of production on the biggest stage.

Behind the scenes, Indiana’s rise has been fueled by billionaire Mark Cuban, who has made multiple major donations to support the program’s NIL efforts. Cuban’s commitment has helped Indiana compete for top transfer portal talent and build depth across the roster. His backing has been instrumental in elevating the Hoosiers from a surprise contender to a legitimate national title threat.

What to expect Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium

When Miami and Indiana meet on January 18, fans should expect a physical, emotionally charged contest. Indiana brings the nation’s most complete team, a group that has dominated every major opponent it has faced. Miami counters with home field advantage, a punishing defense, and an offense capable of controlling the clock and limiting possessions.

Both programs arrive well funded, well supported, and fully prepared thanks to the influence of their major backers. Ruiz and Hathcock have helped Miami rebuild its foundation, while Cuban’s investments have pushed Indiana into the national elite. Their financial commitment has ensured that both teams enter the championship with deep rosters, strong infrastructure, and the resources needed to compete at the highest level.

The result is a matchup worthy of the moment. Two programs with different histories but similar ambition now stand one win away from a national title. Monday night promises intensity, strategy, and a showcase of what modern college football has become.

Bears ownership may be looking in Indiana for a stadium.

The mayor of Hammond, Indiana wants to put together an offer to entice the National Football League’s Chicago Bears franchise owners to move to his city. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.  has said he would “bend over backwards” to get the Bears ownership move to Hammond and would “knock down buildings” to clear a spot if necessary. The Indiana Governor Michael Braun, and several state legislators would support building a stadium for the football team. There is no offer on the table from Indiana. Hammond is less than 30 miles south of Chicago. The Illinois legislature apparently is not in the mood to spend money for a Bears’ football venue nor is the Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. In December 2025, the Bears’ franchise President and CEO Kevin Warren sent another letter to Bears’ ticket holders, marketing partners and fans updating them on how a possible move to suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois from Chicago is going. Well it turns out that moving to Arlington Heights is not going according to plan and another strategy may be needed.

“Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” Warren wrote in his letter. “This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.” In February 2023, Bears’ ownership bought the Arlington Park racetrack property in the Chicago suburb in Arlington Heights for $197 million with the hopes of building a stadium-village. Nothing has happened.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com