Control mage Brad Barclay has emerged winner of the Rising Split Championship after defeating Autumn Burchett in the final of the tournament.
By being the champion of the Zendikar Rising Championship, Barclay who is now the first Scottish Pro Tour winner will be opportune to play in the post-season Challenger’s Gauntlet.
Barclay, who is also among the nine Magic that involves the gathering of players in Azorius Control, defied all expectations by going 10-0 in over three days.
A look at the three pillars of Historic, which include Four-Color Midrange, Mono-Red Goblins, and Jund Sacrifice shows that the strategy was weak.
Although, many expected tough challenge for Barclay in the final, the game which was a rematch against Burchett was fairly one-sided. Barclay found all answer to the explosive Mono-Red Goblins strategy.
Classic control finisher, Teferi, Hero of Dominaria proved to be an all-star in the series as it dominated the battlefield any time it resolved. Although Burchett was a top deck away from securing the victory in multiple games during the series, the cards never lined up for them.
Playing in the post-season Challenger’s Gauntlet gives him an opportunity to join the Rivals League or Magic Pro League.
Burchett were also rewarded for their efforts as they earned points toward their MPL standings. Finishing in the top-eight is a thumbs up to their excellent 2020 campaign.
In the upper-bracket finals, Barclay recorded a victory by punching his ticket into the finals. Being one of the best Goblins players in Magic, it was therefore not a surprise to see Burchett performance. They showed their mettle through the Historic rounds.
After losing game one, Barclay took absolute control of the next two games. He classically did this.
Barclay shutdown the Muxus and Goblin Grandee combo during the game two and three after getting Grafdigger’s Cage.
Barclay combined Shark Typhoon and Teferi, Hero of Dominaria to close out the series and leave Burchett waiting for the lower bracket to finish.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
