Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 20:55, 3 July 2010

Shaun Murphy

Nickname	The Magician
Professional	1998–
Highest ranking	3 (3 years)
Current ranking	7 (as of 16 December 2024)
Century breaks	688 (as of 13 January 2025)
Tournament wins
Ranking	3
World Champion	2005

Shaun Murphy (born 10 August 1982, Harlow, England) is an English professional snooker player who won the 2005 World Championship. Nicknamed The Magician, Murphy is noted for his widely acclaimed cue action and his consistent long potting. He is one of the few players who can play with his left hand as well as his right.

Murphy turned professional in 1998. In winning the 2005 World Championship, he became the second qualifier and second-youngest player to lift the trophy. He won the 2007 Malta Cup and the 2008 UK Championship, and reached the World Championship final for a second time in 2009. He has also won four non-ranking tournaments. Murphy's highest ranking is at number three, which he achieved for the 2007/2008 season. He retained this for the next two seasons. He is ranked number seven for the 2010/2011 season.

Career

Early career

Murphy began playing snooker at the age of 8 when he was given a snooker cue that his father had bought from a jumble sale. He soon joined a club and practised heavily, making his first century break by the age of 10. He practised at the Rushden Snooker Centre; other players to have practised there include Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty. At the age of 13, he secured a UK£5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with Doc Martens and gave an interview to the BBC, stating his ambitions of winning the World Championship and becoming world number one. He turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15.

Pre–2005 World Championship

Murphy began his career in the Challenge Tour, at the time the second-level professional tour. He won the Challenge Tour Event 3 and 4 for the 2000/2001 season. In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award by the Snooker Writers' Association and the Young Player of Distinction of the Year award by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, but his progress was gradual until his World Championship victory. In 2000, he won the English Open Championship and the Benson & Hedges Championship, his first professional tournament victory, thereby reaching the Masters for the first time. In the 2001 Masters, he showed promise in his television debut by defeating world number 15 Marco Fu before losing to Stephen Hendry, despite leading 4–1. He made his first and so far only maximum break in the 2001 Benson & Hedges tournament. He reached the semi-finals of the 2004 British Open, his first run past the last 16 of a ranking event.

He first qualified for the World Championship in 2002, where he lost 4–10 against Stephen Hendry in the first round. He qualified again in 2003, losing 9–10 against Ken Doherty on the final black. He lost a qualifying match against Stuart Pettman 7–10 in 2004.

2005 World Championship

During the 2005 World Championship, he beat former world champions John Higgins (13–8), Steve Davis (13–4), Peter Ebdon (17–12), and finalist Matthew Stevens (18–16) to win the World Championship., despite trailing 6–10 after the first day of play. His run echoed the first championship win of his childhood idol Davis, who also beat three world champions (Alex Higgins, Cliff Thorburn and Terry Griffiths) to reach the final.

At the age of 22, Murphy became the second youngest player ever to win the World Championship, following Stephen Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21. He also became only the second-ever qualifier to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) after Terry Griffiths in 1979. The tournament doubled his previous career prize money and his run to the final earned him the nickname Magician. He purchased a Mercedes-Benz and a house with the proceeds of his win.

Murphy began the 2005 World Championship ranked number 48 in the world rankings and with odds of 150–1. He had to play two qualifying matches to reach the final stages. No previous world champion had played that many matches (seven in total) to lift the title. In July 2005, he married his wife Clare.

2005/2006

He was ranked number 21 after his title win, which made him the first world champion to start the new season outside of the top 16. However, he qualified automatically for every tournament in the season as the number two seed (and number one seed for the 2006 World Championship). In the first three events of the season he reached the last 16, losing deciding-frame matches to Stuart Bingham, Neil Robertson and Graeme Dott respectively. He was more successful at the Welsh Open, reaching his second ranking final before losing 4–9 to Stephen Lee. In the World Championship, he fell victim to the "Crucible Curse", no first-time champion successfully defended the title at the Crucible Theatre, where the World Championship is played, when he was defeated in the quarter-finals 13–7 by Peter Ebdon, after victories over James Wattana and Steve Davis. His overall performances over the previous two seasons moved him up to number five in the world rankings.

2006/2007

After 22 months without a title, Murphy won the Malta Cup, defeating Welshman Ryan Day by 9–4 in the final. In his next match, against Jamie Cope in the Welsh Open, he scored centuries in four consecutive frames, becoming only the second player ever to do this (after John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final) and the only person to do so in a best-of-nine match. Murphy reached the semi-finals of the World Championship after a 13–12 victory over Matthew Stevens in the quarter-finals. Murphy came from 11–5 and 12–7 down to defeat Stevens, knocking the latter out of the top 16 in doing so. However, he lost to Mark Selby in the semi-finals in another match going to the deciding frame. He ended the season ranked number three, his highest ever ranking.

2007/2008

In the 2007/2008 season he reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events, without winning any.

In the Grand Prix, he won four out of five matches in his group, only losing out to Marco Fu, before defeating Ryan Day and Peter Ebdon to reach the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan, despite being 5–2 up at one point. He reached the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Trophy and the UK Championship, making it three consecutive semi-final appearances and three of the last four for the season. Before the UK Championship, he was provisionally ranked number one. Murphy successfully defended his Malta Cup title, defeating Irishman Ken Doherty 9–3 in the final (that year the event, however, was not ranking). He reached the final of the 2008 China Open, but lost 9–10 to Stephen Maguire.

At the World Championship he lost to Ali Carter in the second round. Up to this point, on the five occasions Murphy has been defeated at the Crucible Theatre, his conqueror has always gone on to lose the World Championship final.

2008/2009

Murphy began the season by winning the non-ranking Paul Hunter Classic, beating Barry Pinches, Stuart Bingham, Ricky Walden and Mark Selby. He lost in the first round of the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 lost to world number 47 Mike Dunn in the Bahrain Championship. In October, it emerged that Murphy and his wife Clare had separated after three years of marriage; he did not wear his marriage ring in the Grand Prix.

Despite four consecutive first-round losses, Murphy claimed his third ranking event title at the UK Championship by defeating Hong Kong's Marco Fu 10–9 in a low-quality final, where he fluked a pink in the deciding frame that was effectively match ball. The victory meant he joined Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, John Parrott, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins and Peter Ebdon as the tenth player to have won both the World title and the UK title, cementing his place as one of the elite top players in the world.

In the first round of the World Championship Murphy defeated Andrew Higginson 10–8. There were concerns that Murphy's estranged wife would serve him divorce papers during play of his first-round match; this did not happen, although Clare's parents were present in the arena and were asked to leave by security. In the second round he defeated Marco Fu 13–3 a session to spare. After this he defeated Stephen Hendry 13–11 in the quarter-finals, despite Hendry making a maximum break to leave Murphy trailing 2–5, and Neil Robertson 17–14 in the semi-finals to reach his second final. Murphy trailed 5–11 after the second session, and was soundly beaten 18–9 by the now three-times world champion John Higgins. On the first day of the final, a newspaper published details of Murphy's liasons with a female.

2009/2010

Murphy successfully defended his Paul Hunter Classic title in 2009, defeating fellow Englishman Jimmy White 4–0 in the final. In November 2009, Murphy won the Premier League Snooker title with a 7–3 win against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final, ending O'Sullivan's run of five consecutive wins in the tournament, which has a 25-a-second shot clock.

He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the Shanghai Masters, beating Michael Holt by 5–1 and Jamie Cope and Ken Doherty by 5–0. He then lost 5–6 against Liang Wenbo. This would be his only run to the semi-finals or better in a ranking tournament that season.

In the Grand Prix he lost in the first round to Barry Pinches. In the UK Championship, as the defending champion, he defeated Gerard Greene by 9–5, but lost in the second round to eventual winner Ding Junhui. After the match, Murphy complained about Ding leaving the arena too often after frames, saying "I can't believe anyone needs to go to the toilet after every single frame." He reached the quarter-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 against Mark Williams. In the Welsh Open and the China Open he lost his first-round matches to Matthew Stevens and Nigel Bond, respectively. In the World Championship he beat Gerard Greene and Ding Junhui and reached the quarter-finals to face Ali Carter. After a close match he lost 12–13 despite leading by 8–4.

During the whole season he made 19 official century breaks. This was the first season in which he did not reach a final or better of a ranking tournament since the 2003/2004 season. After three seasons at the number three ranking, he dropped to number seven for the 2010/2011 season.

2010/2011

Murphy won the Wuxi Classic, a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding Junhui 9–8 by making a comeback from 2–8 down and winning the last seven frames.

Performance and rankings timeline

World Championship finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

Outcome	Year	Opponent in the final	Score in the final
Winner	2005	Matthew Stevens	18–16
Runner-up	2009	John Higgins	18–9

Tournament wins

Ranking wins

• World Snooker Championship – 2005
• Malta Cup – 2007
• UK Championship – 2008

Non-ranking wins

• Benson & Hedges Championship – 2000
• Malta Cup – 2008
• Premier League Snooker – 2009
• Wuxi Classic – 2010

Pro-am wins

• Paul Hunter Classic – 2008, 2009
• World Series of Snooker – Grand Final – 2009
• World Series of Snooker – Champion of Champions Challenge – 2009

Playing style

Nicknamed The Magician, Murphy is noted for his widely acclaimed cue action and his consistent long potting. He is one of the few players who can play with his left hand as well as his right. He has made over 150 century breaks and has made one maximum break. His career earnings amount to over £1 million.

Murphy was coached by Steve Prest, who helped Murphy perfect his cue action and develop the tactical side of his game. Murphy was coached early on in his career by Joe Johnson, another surprise winner of the World Championship. He has also received tactical guidance from Ray Reardon.

Rivalry with Stephen Maguire

Murphy has a rivalry with Stephen Maguire, another member of the 2000 Young Players of Distinction. In a 2004 Grand Prix match, Murphy was involved in having one of Maguire's frames forfeited. As the match was about to begin and after they had shaken hands, Maguire realised he had forgotten to bring his chalk with him. He asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave the arena. While Maguire was away, Murphy spoke to the referee; the tournament director Mike Ganley was summoned and he docked Maguire a frame for technically not being ready to start at the scheduled time, which angered and surprised Maguire. Maguire won the match 5–2. Maguire commented "Rules are rules but I've never heard of anything like that happening before".

During the 2006 World Championship, Maguire said "I don't want to be a fat world champion", a reference to Murphy. After beating Murphy in the 2007 Welsh Open, Maguire said of the chalk incident, "That put the icing on the cake, but we've always had a rivalry. I dislike him and I think he dislikes me. I try hard to beat everyone, but it would have hurt more if I'd lost to him." In the 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy, Maguire defeated Murphy 6–5 in the semi-final. They played each other again at the next tournament, the 2007 UK Championship, once more at the semi-final stage, which Maguire won 9–5. In the final of the 2008 China Open Maguire defeated him in a final-frame decider: 10–9. Murphy later defeated Maguire at the 2008 UK Championship, in the semi-final, 9–4.

Personal life

Murphy was born in Harlow, but has lived in Rotherham for much of his career. He has lived in Sale since his split with his wife. He has been a devout Christian since the age of 17 after meeting a religious family on holiday. He prays in his dressing room before every match. He once said "I believe I was put here to play snooker well" and donates one-tenth of his income to the church. Murphy is a keen ping-pongist and single-figure handicap golfer. He was homeschooled from age 13 onwards after being bullied at school. He is known for his confidence, dedication and well-spoken demeanor. Murphy appeared on A Question of Sport on 30 April 2010.

He married wife Clare—who he met on an online Christian chatroom—in July 2005 and they spent some of the summer of 2006 doing work for a Christian charity group in Zimbabwe. They separated in October 2008 after three years of marriage. An interview with Murphy's friend, Abigayle Tadeo, in The People newspaper revealed the two had had sex in a Kettering hotel room shortly after he left Clare. Tadeo claimed Murphy had been sending her sexual text messages and pictures of himself for months prior to leaving his wife. There were concerns that Murphy's estranged wife would serve him divorce papers during play of his first round 2009 World Championship match; however this did not happen.

During the 2007 World Championship it was reported in some newspapers that he had developed a rift with his father, Tony, who is a member of the World Snooker board. He revealed that this happened 18 months earlier and that they had not spoken since. He did, however, state on BBC snooker coverage that he would happily speak to his father again if he was called.

References

1. "Shaun Murphy". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
2. "Shaun Murphy". Eurosport UK. 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
3. Paul Weaver (4 May 2005). "Murphy puts Rushden in frame". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
4. ^ "Murphy's rise to the world summit". BBC Sport. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 2 July 2010. For the interview, see "Interview: Thirteen-year-old Shaun Murphy on his aspirations for his career in snooker".
5. Chowdhury, Saj (30 April 2005). "Who is Shaun Murphy?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
6. "Murphy battles to claim crown". BBC Sport. 17 November 2000. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
7. Everton, Clive (4 February 2001). "Murphy's got the right stuff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
8. "Hendry tames Murphy". BBC Sport. 5 February 2001. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
9. "Hendry eases into second round". BBC Sport. 22 April 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
10. "Mature Murphy outlines future". BBC Sport. 22 April 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
11. Harlow, Phil (31 December 2003). "Unsung heroes of the year". BBC Sport. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/3358901.stm" ignored (help)
12. Phil Yates (1 May 2005). "Murphy halts Ebdon flow". The Observer. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
13. Clive Everton (2 May 2005). "Stevens takes control as Murphy stutters". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
14. ^ Patrick Kidd (15 April 2006). "Murphy seeks win and a prayer after taking cue from his faith". The Times. Retrieved 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Text "July 2010" ignored (help)
15. "Magic Murphy sets century record". BBC Sport. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
16. Clive Everton (10 November 2008). "Murphy's season goes from bad to worse with Bahrain defeat". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
17. ^ Gary O'Shea; Andy Dillon (18 October 2008). "Snooker ace splits from wife". The Sun. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
18. Clive Everton (22 December 2008). "Murphy rides luck to snatch UK title with fluke pink in last frame". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
19. Phil Yates (22 December 2008). "Shaun Murphy finally edges fighting Marco Fu". The Times. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
20. "Murphy overcomes health and wife fears to set up Fu showdown". The Guardian. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
21. ^ Nick Pitt (3 May 2009). "Shaun Murphy goes distance to reach final". The Times. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
22. "Murphy Ends Fu Challenge In Two Sessions". World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
23. "Defiant Shaun Murphy knocks Steven Hendry out of World Championship". The Times. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
24. "John Higgins beats Shaun Murphy to seal world championship title". The Guardian. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
25. "Higgins earns third world crown". BBC Sport. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
26. ^ Nick Harris (4 May 2009). "Snooker: Murphy shows the strain on a day to forget". The Independent. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
27. "Murphy defends Paul Hunter Classic". Eurosport. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
28. "Murphy ends Ronnie's reign". Sky Sports. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
29. Clive Everton (9 December 2009). "Snooker told to limit loo breaks". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
30. Phil Yates (10 December 2009). "Champion Shaun Murphy knocked out of UK Championship by Ding Junhui". The Times. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
31. "Graeme Dott and Ali Carter make world semi-finals". BBC Sport. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
32. "Murphy comeback stuns Ding". Sky Sports. 6 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
33. ^ Player Profile – Shaun Murphy "Shaun Murphy". World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
34. Phil Yates (1 May 2007). "Top five frame dockings". The Times. Retrieved 3 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
35. ^ "Higginson Revelling in Spotlight". Sporting Life. 17 February 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
36. "Williams crashes out". BBC Sport. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
37. Martin Dalgleish (19 December 2008). "Prepare for fireworks as Murphy and Maguire go to war". William Hill. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
38. Phil Yates (15 December 2007). "Stephen Maguire moves step closer to joining elite group". The Times. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
39. Mike Rimmer (1 December 2005). "Snooker Champion Shares His Faith". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
40. "Shaun Murphy – Did you know...?". BBC Sport. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
41. Phil Yates (19 December 2008). "Shaun Murphy's luck changes as he puts himself back in frame". The Times. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
42. ""A Question of Sport" Episode #39.25 (2010)". Internet Movie Database. 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
43. "Snooker star Murphy splits from wife". Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
44. Daniel Jones (3 May 2009). "Snooker Hero Murphy and £100 an hour escort". The People. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
45. ""Distracted Murphy beats Higginson". BBC Sport. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
46. "Champ's anguish at rift with dad". Sheffield Star. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
47. ^ "Murphy fightback shocks Stevens". BBC Sport, 2 May 2007. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.

External links

• Official website
• "Official player profile of Shaun Murphy". wst.tv. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. "Players" section.
• Profile at Global Snooker
• Profile at Pro Snooker Blog

v t e World snooker champions
Early events	1927:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1928:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1929:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1930:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1931:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1932:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1933:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1934:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1935:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1936:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1937:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1938:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1939:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1940:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1946:  Joe Davis (ENG) 1947:  Walter Donaldson (SCO) 1948:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1949:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1950:  Walter Donaldson (SCO) 1951:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1952:  Horace Lindrum (AUS)
Match-play	1952:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1953:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1954:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1955:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1956:  Fred Davis (ENG) 1957:  John Pulman (ENG)
Challenges	1964 (Apr):  John Pulman (ENG) 1964 (Oct):  John Pulman (ENG) 1965 (Mar):  John Pulman (ENG) 1965 (Sep–Dec):  John Pulman (ENG) 1965 (Dec):  John Pulman (ENG) 1966:  John Pulman (ENG) 1968:  John Pulman (ENG)
Knock-outs	1969:  John Spencer (ENG) 1970:  Ray Reardon (WAL) 1971:  John Spencer (ENG) 1972:  Alex Higgins (NIR) 1973:  Ray Reardon (WAL) 1974:  Ray Reardon (WAL) 1975:  Ray Reardon (WAL) 1976:  Ray Reardon (WAL)
Crucible era	1977:  John Spencer (ENG) 1978:  Ray Reardon (WAL) 1979:  Terry Griffiths (WAL) 1980:  Cliff Thorburn (CAN) 1981:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1982:  Alex Higgins (NIR) 1983:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1984:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1985:  Dennis Taylor (NIR) 1986:  Joe Johnson (ENG) 1987:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1988:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1989:  Steve Davis (ENG) 1990:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1991:  John Parrott (ENG) 1992:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1993:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1994:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1995:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1996:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 1997:  Ken Doherty (IRL) 1998:  John Higgins (SCO) 1999:  Stephen Hendry (SCO) 2000:  Mark Williams (WAL) 2001:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2002:  Peter Ebdon (ENG) 2003:  Mark Williams (WAL) 2004:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2005:  Shaun Murphy (ENG) 2006:  Graeme Dott (SCO) 2007:  John Higgins (SCO) 2008:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2009:  John Higgins (SCO) 2010:  Neil Robertson (AUS) 2011:  John Higgins (SCO) 2012:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2013:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2014:  Mark Selby (ENG) 2015:  Stuart Bingham (ENG) 2016:  Mark Selby (ENG) 2017:  Mark Selby (ENG) 2018:  Mark Williams (WAL) 2019:  Judd Trump (ENG) 2020:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2021:  Mark Selby (ENG) 2022:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 2023:  Luca Brecel (BEL) 2024:  Kyren Wilson (ENG)
Cue sports portal Category

Template:Top sixteen male snooker players

• 1982 births
• Converts to Christianity
• English snooker players
• Living people
• People from Harlow