2020 has crowned its first champion in a major Hearthstone tournament. Frenchman Zakarya “xBlyzes” Hail triumphed in Arlington, Texas, leaving more than 250 other attendees behind him at the first Masters Tours of the year. With the victory xBlyzes scoops up $32,500 in prize money.

The prize money will come in handy for xBlyzes chase after a Hearthstone Grandmasters spot. Later in the year, before Hearthstone Grandmasters' second season of 2020 (the fourth one overall) begins, the players with the highest prize money earnings from 2020's first three Masters Tour events will be promoted to the Hearthstone Grandmaster league.

Despite the Masters Tour event being held all the way in the United States, it was the French Hearthstone scene that came out strong. Of the eight players in the tournament's playoff stage, four came from France. The country has been a dominant force within Hearthstone esports for a good while now, with a strong grassroots community feeding top representatives.

Image via Blizzard Entertainment.