Paul Hunter

English former professional snooker player, three-time Masters champion

This article is about the English snooker player. For other people, see Paul Hunter (disambiguation).

Paul Hunter

Born| (1978-10-14)14 October 1978
Leeds, England
Died| 9 October 2006(2006-10-09) (aged 27)
Huddersfield, England
Sport country|  England
Nickname| Beckham of the Baize[1]
Professional| 1995–2006
Highest ranking| 4 (2004/2005)
Century breaks| 114
Tournament wins
Ranking| 3

Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English professional snooker player. He was a three-time Masters champion, winning the event at the 2001, 2002, and 2004 tournaments, recovering from a deficit in the final to win 10–9 on all three occasions. He also won three ranking events: the Welsh Open twice, in 1998 and 2002, and the 2002 British Open.

In March 2005, Hunter was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, but continued to play for several months afterwards. He died shortly before his 28th birthday in October 2006. In his memory, a tournament in Fürth, Germany, was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic and, in April 2016, the Masters trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy. A prolific break-builder, he made 114 century breaks, the highest being a 146 in the 2004 Premier League. During the 2004–05 snooker season, he attained a career-high ranking of number four in the world. Following his death, Hunter was posthumously awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award.

## Early life[edit]

Hunter was born on 14 October 1978 in Leeds, England, and was educated at St Andrews Primary School and Cardinal Heenan High School.[2][3] At a young age, Hunter played alongside his father, Alan, and won many amateur junior events including the England Doubles Championship aged 14 alongside Richard Brooke.[2] Leaving school at 14,[4] he often travelled to Bradford to practise alongside professional players such as Joe Johnson.[5] Hunter was the runner-up at the 1995 English Amateur Championship, losing in the final 7–8 to David Gray.[6] Guided by Jimmy Michie and Johnson, Hunter made his professional debut in July 1995 at age 16.[3]

## Career[edit]

### Early career (1995–2000)[edit]

Four months after his professional debut, Hunter reached the second round of the 1995 UK Championship by defeating world number six Alan McManus 9–4.[7] Aged 17, he reached the 1996 Welsh Open semi-finals, the youngest player to do so at a ranking event, defeating the world champion Stephen Hendry in the last 16.[2][8] He also reached the quarter-finals of the 1996 UK Championship, where he completed a whitewash of Willie Thorne 9–0, and beat James Wattana 9–5 and Terry Murphy 9–7, before losing 5–9 against Hendry, who won the event.[9] Due in part to this performance, Hunter was awarded a wildcard to play at the 1997 Masters,[10] where he lost 1–5 against Mark Williams in the first round.[11] At the 1997 Grand Prix, Hunter reached the last 16 stage, but was later disqualified for testing positive for cannabis. He was fined £4,550 and docked the entirety of the ranking points he earned at the event.[5][12][13]

The following year, Hunter won his first ranking tournament at the 1998 Welsh Open. He defeated Paul Wykes 5–3, Neal Foulds 5–2, Steve Davis 5–3, Nigel Bond 5–4, Alan McManus 5–3, and Peter Ebdon 6–1, before beating John Higgins 9–5 in the final. During the final, Hunter trailed 2–4 but won seven frames from the next eight to win the match and tournament.[14] He also reached the semi-finals of the 1998 UK Championship, defeating both Jimmy White and Steve Davis, before losing to John Higgins.[15] For 1998, he was named the Snooker Writers Association's Young Player of the Year, still playing as a teenager.[3][5]

Hunter played in the main stage of the World Snooker Championship for the first time at the 1999 event, successfully qualifying by defeating Euan Henderson.[16] At the tournament he lost 8–10 in the first round to the eventual champion Stephen Hendry.[17] His form that season elevated him to 12th in the 1999–2000 world rankings resulting in automatic qualification into the final stages of ranking tournaments for the first time,[18][19] a position he retained for the 2000–01 season.[19]

He reached the quarter-final stage or better in six tournaments the following season: he was a runner-up at the 2001 Welsh Open,[20] a semi-finalist at the British Open and Scottish Open,[21][22] and a quarter-finalist at the Grand Prix and China Open.[23][24]

### Masters champion (2001–2004)[edit]

Being in the top 16 players in the world rankings, Hunter gained entry into the prestigious invitational Masters tournament. At the 2001 Masters, Hunter defeated defending champion Matthew Stevens 6–5 in the first round, Ebdon 6–3 in the quarter-finals and Hendry 6–4 in the semi-finals.[25][26] In the final, Hunter met Fergal O'Brien. Hunter trailed 3–7, but won seven out of the next nine frames to win 10–9.[26][27] After winning the championship, Hunter claimed he had sex with his girlfriend when he trailed 2–6, which had caused him to play significantly better.[5][28]

At the following year's Masters, he defeated Stephen Lee 6–3, Ebdon 6–5 and Alan McManus 6–5 to reach the final, where he met Mark Williams.[29] Hunter lost the first five frames of the final, but won the match and tournament on a deciding frame 10–9.[29] Hunter was only the third player to retain the Masters, following Cliff Thorburn and Hendry.[30] Hunter won his second ranking event the same year, defeating Ken Doherty 9–2 in the final to win the 2002 Welsh Open.[31] The 2002 World Snooker Championship had Hunter lose to Quinten Hann.[32] The 2002 British Open had Hunter defeat Ian McCulloch 9–4 in the final to win his third ranking event championship.[33] As defending Masters champion, Hunter progressed to the semi-finals of the 2003 event but lost 3–6 to Mark Williams.[34]

Hunter progressed past the second round of the world championship for the first time at the 2003 World Snooker Championship. He defeated Ali Carter 10–5, Matthew Stevens 13–6 and defending champion Peter Ebdon 13–12 to reach the semi-finals.[35][36] In the best-of-33 frames semi-final, Hunter established a 15–9 overnight lead over opponent Doherty. Despite leading by six frames, he won only one of the remaining nine, and lost 16–17.[37] The BBC later broadcast the highlights of the match in place of the 2020 World Snooker Championship when the event was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[38][39] Despite the loss, he earned a place in the world's top eight in the 2003–2004 world rankings for the first time in his career, having been ranked number nine for the previous two seasons.[19]

In 2003–04, Hunter won the Masters for the third time in four years. He trailed Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final throughout the entire match, being behind 1–6, 2–7, 6–8 and 7–9. However, Hunter won the final three frames to win the match. Making five century breaks in the match,[40][41] the match was voted as one of the best matches of all time by Eurosport in 2020.[42] Hunter reached his last ranking event final of his career at the 2004 Players Championship, but lost 7–9 against Jimmy White.[43] At the 2004 Premier League Snooker event, he made the highest break of his career, a 146 in a 3–5 loss to Marco Fu.[44] He reached the second round of the 2004 World Snooker Championship, where he lost 12–13 against Matthew Stevens, despite leading 10–6 and 12–10 at various stages of the match.[45]

Hunter began the 2004–05 season by reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix, where he lost 3–6 to O'Sullivan.[46] Hunter won the pro-am competition Fürth Grand Prix in 2004, which was later renamed in his honour, winning the final 4–2 over Matthew Stevens.[47] He reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 China Open[48] just days after being diagnosed with cancer.[49] His career-high ranking was number four in the world during the 2004–2005 season,[50] which dropped to number five the following season.[19]

### Later years and illness (2005–2006)[edit]

On 6 April 2005, Hunter announced he was suffering from malignant neuroendocrine tumours in his stomach, a rare disease, the cause of which is unknown.[51] A spokesman for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said at the time: "Paul will undergo treatment to cure himself of this illness. He would like to reassure his fans and supporters that, as with his snooker career, he is tenacious and positive in his fight against the disease."[52] Hunter received chemotherapy for his illness.[53]

Hunter returned to the circuit for the start of the 2005–06 season but lost to Rory McLeod in the first round of the Grand Prix.[54] Hunter's next match of the season was at the 2005 UK Championship against Jamie Burnett, in which Hunter came back from 6–8 down to win the match 9–8.[55] Despite this, Hunter lost in the next round 2–9 against eventual champion Ding Junhui.[56] He lost in the first round of the 2006 World Championship 5–10 to Neil Robertson, which would be his last professional match.[5]

He slipped from 5th to 34th in the 2006/2007 rankings.[19][53][57] Hunter admitted he played worse than the previous year and confirmed that he had been in continuous pain.[58] On 27 July 2006, the WPBSA confirmed, following a members' vote, the organisation's rules would be changed to allow Hunter to sit out the entire 2006–2007 season with his world ranking frozen at 34. He intended to devote the year to treatment for his cancer.[50][3]

### Death[edit]

Hunter died on 9 October 2006, aged 27, at the Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield.[49][18] Prior to the Premier League Snooker matches on 12 October 2006, players, referees and commentators stood for a moment of silence to remember Hunter.[59] His funeral took place on 19 October 2006 at Leeds Parish Church.[60] Many players attended the ceremony, and his best friend, Matthew Stevens, was a pallbearer at the service.[61]

## Personal life[edit]

Hunter married Lindsey Fell, a beauty therapist, in August 2004 in Jamaica.[18] On 26 December 2005, Lindsey gave birth to a daughter,[57] who weighed 8 lb 2 oz (3.7 kg).[62]

Hunter became known as the "Beckham of the Baize", a reference to football player David Beckham.[2][63] After his death, Lindsey wrote the memoir Unbreakable: My Life with Paul – a Story of Extraordinary Courage and Love, covering his snooker career, life and death.[64]

### Legacy[edit]

Fellow professionals Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, Matthew Stevens and Ken Doherty led calls for the Masters trophy to be named in Hunter's memory.[65] Instead, the then non-ranking German Open in Fürth was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic in his honour; a tournament first won by Hunter.[66] Also, in 2007, the amateur English Open tournament was renamed the Paul Hunter English Open.[67] On 20 April 2016, the Masters trophy was renamed in Hunter's honour. The World Snooker chairman, Barry Hearn, said that the organisation "messed up" by not doing so sooner.[65]

In 2006, Hunter was posthumously awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award – his widow Lindsey accepted the award on his behalf.[68] The Paul Hunter Foundation was set up after his death with the "specific aim of giving disadvantaged, able bodied and disabled youngsters an opportunity to play snooker".[69] Hunter compiled 114 competitive century breaks in the course of his professional career,[70] including a high break of 146.[59]

## Performance and rankings timeline[edit]

Career event results[71] Tournaments | 1995–
96 | 1996–
97 | 1997–
98 | 1998–
99 | 1999–
00 | 2000–
01 | 2001–
02 | 2002–
03 | 2003–
04 | 2004–
05 | 2005–

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Rankings[19] | [nb 1] | 78 | 43 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 5
Ranking tournaments
Grand Prix[nb 2] | LQ  | 1R | 3R | 2R | 3R | QF | 3R | QF | 3R | SF | 1R
UK Championship | 2R | QF | 1R | SF | 2R | 2R | 3R | 3R | QF | 3R | 3R
Malta Cup[nb 3] | LQ  | LQ  | NH  | 2R | Not Held  | 1R | QF | 2R | 1R | 1R
Welsh Open | SF | LQ  | W | 2R | 3R | F | W | SF | QF | 2R | 2R
China Open[nb 4] | Not Held  | NR  | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | Not Held  | QF | 1R
World Championship | LQ  | LQ  | LQ  | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | SF | 2R | 1R | 1R
Non-ranking tournaments
Pot Black | Tournament Not Held  | SF
Premier League | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | RR | RR | A
The Masters | A  | WR | A  | A  | 1R | W | W | SF | W | 1R | 1R
Former ranking tournaments
Asian Classic[nb 5] | LQ  | LQ  | Tournament Not Held
German Open | LQ  | LQ  | LQ  | NR  | Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix | Non-Ranking Event  | 1R | NR  | Tournament Not Held
Thailand Masters[nb 6] | 1R | 1R | LQ  | 1R | 2R | 1R | 2R | Tournament Not Held
Scottish Open[nb 7] | LQ  | LQ  | 3R | QF | 1R | SF | 2R | 2R | F | Not Held
British Open | LQ  | LQ  | LQ  | 2R | 3R | SF | 2R | W | QF | 2R | NH
Irish Masters | Non-Ranking Event  | SF | 2R | 2R | NH
Former non-ranking tournaments
Pontins Professional | A  | A  | A  | QF | SF | Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix | A  | A  | A  | A  | R  | RR | Tournament Not Held
Champions Cup | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | RR | Tournament Not Held
Irish Masters | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | A  | 1R | Ranking Event  | NH
Scottish Masters | A  | A  | A  | 1R | LQ  | A  | 1R | QF | Not Held
Performance Table Legend

LQ  | lost in the qualifying draw  | #R  | lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)  | QF  | lost in the quarter-finals
SF  | lost in the semi–finals  | F  | lost in the final  | W | won the tournament
A  | did not participate in the tournament  |  |  |  |
NH / Not Held | event was not held.

|

NR / Non-Ranking Event | event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event | event is/was a ranking event.

1. ^ New players on the tour do not have a ranking.
2. ^ The event was also called the LG Cup (2001/2002-2003/2004)
3. ^ The event was also called the European Open (1995/1996-1996/1997 and 2001/2002-2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999)
4. ^ The event was also called the China International (1998/1999)
5. ^ The event also ran under the name Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
6. ^ The event also ran under the name Thailand Open (1995/1996–1996/1997)
7. ^ The event ran under different names such as International Open (1995/1996-1996/1997) and Players Championship (2003/2004)

## Career finals[edit]

### Ranking finals: 5 (3 titles)[edit]

Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

Winner  | 1\.  | 1998 | Welsh Open |  John Higgins | 9–5  | [72]
Runner-up  | 1\.  | 2001 | Welsh Open |  Ken Doherty | 2–9  | [72]
Winner  | 2\.  | 2002 | Welsh Open (2) |  Ken Doherty | 9–7  | [72]
Winner  | 3\.  | 2002 | British Open |  Ian McCulloch | 9–4  | [73]
Runner-up  | 2\.  | 2004 | Players Championship |  Jimmy White | 7–9  | [74]

### Non-ranking finals: 4 (4 titles)[edit]

Legend

The Masters (3–0)
Other (1–0)
Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

Winner  | 1\.  | 1998 | Scottish Masters Qualifying Event |  Jamie Burnett | 5–1  | [75]
Winner  | 2\.  | 2001 | The Masters |  Fergal O'Brien | 10–9  | [76]
Winner  | 3\.  | 2002 | The Masters (2) |  Mark Williams | 10–9  | [76]
Winner  | 4\.  | 2004 | The Masters (3) |  Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10–9  | [76]

### Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)[edit]

Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

Winner  | 1\.  | 2004  | Grand Prix Fürth |  Matthew Stevens | 4–2  | [77]

### Amateur finals: 1[edit]

Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

Runner-up  | 1\.  | 1995  | English Amateur Championship |  David Gray | 7–8  | [78]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Paul Hunter". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
2. ^ a b c d Gray, Sadie (11 October 2006). "Paul Hunter (obituary, page 1)". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
3. ^ a b c d "Obituaries: Paul Hunter". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 October 2006. Archived from the original on 8 December 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
4. ^ "Interview Paul Hunter". The Guardian. 12 April 2004.
5. ^ a b c d e "Paul Hunter". The Independent. London. 11 October 2006. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
6. ^ "English Open re-named for Hunter". BBC. 19 April 2007. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
7. ^ "Royal Liver Assurance UK Open". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
8. ^ "World Snooker Past Players Paul Hunter". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
9. ^ "UK Championship 1996". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
10. ^ Yates, Phil (4 February 1997). "O'Sullivan holds nerve for victory – Snooker". The Times. London. p. 49.
11. ^ "Benson & Hedges Masters 1997". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
12. ^ "Drug test D-day for O'Sullivan". The Irish Times. 13 May 1998. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
13. ^ "Drugs fine for ace Hunter". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 15 April 1998. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
14. ^ "Snooker.org: Regal Welsh Open 1998". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
15. ^ "Liverpool Victoria UK Championship 1998". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
16. ^ "World Championship 1999". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
17. ^ "Embassy World Championship 1999". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
18. ^ a b c Burnton, Simon (10 October 2006). "Snooker: Paul Hunter loses battle with cancer aged 27". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
19. ^ a b c d e f "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
20. ^ "Regal Welsh Open 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
21. ^ "British Open 2000". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
22. ^ "Regal Scottish Open 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
23. ^ "Grand Prix 2000". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
24. ^ "China Open 2000". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
25. ^ "Hunter bags Hendry scalp". BBC Sport. London. 10 February 2001. Archived from the original on 13 June 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
26. ^ a b "Snooker.org: Benson & Hedges Masters 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
27. ^ "Dream come true for Master Hunter". BBC Sport. London. 12 February 2001. Archived from the original on 20 July 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
28. ^ "Interview Paul Hunter". The Guardian. London. 12 April 2004. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
29. ^ a b "Benson & Hedges Masters 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
30. ^ "Hunter bags second Masters". BBC Sport Media. London. 11 February 2002. Archived from the original on 14 February 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
31. ^ "Regal Welsh Open 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
32. ^ "Embassy World Championship 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
33. ^ "British Open 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
34. ^ "Benson & Hedges Masters 2003". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
35. ^ "Embassy World Championship 2003". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
36. ^ Mark Orlovac (1 May 2003). "Hunter edges out Ebdon". BBC Sport Media. London. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
37. ^ Dan Warren (3 May 2003). "Doherty wins Crucible epic". BBC Sport Media. London. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
38. ^ "Snooker: World Championship, Crucible Classics, Ken Doherty v Paul Hunter, 2003". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
39. ^ "BBC to show classic Crucible matches". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
40. ^ "Snooker.org: Masters 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
41. ^ Clive Jones (9 February 2004). "Hunter claims Masters epic". BBC Sport. London. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
42. ^ "THE DEBATE: WHAT ARE THE GREATEST TRIPLE CROWN MATCHES EVER".
43. ^ "Daily Record Players Championship 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
44. ^ "February 21–22, 2004". matchroomsport.com. Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 6 June 2004.
45. ^ Harlow, Phil (24 April 2004). "Stevens shoots down Hunter". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
46. ^ "Grand Prix 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
47. ^ "Paul Hunter Classic History". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
48. ^ "China Open 2005". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
49. ^ a b "Hunter loses battle with cancer". BBC Sport. 9 October 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
50. ^ a b "Player Profile of Paul Hunter". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
51. ^ "Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)". MacMillan Cancer Support. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
52. ^ "Hunter diagnosed with cancer". RTÉ Sport. 6 April 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
53. ^ a b "Snooker star Paul Hunter dies at 27". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
54. ^ "Grand Prix 2005". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
55. ^ "Brave Hunter is winner again". Daily Mirror on TheFreeLibrary.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
56. ^ "Travis Perkins UK Championship 2005". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
57. ^ a b Gray, Sadie (11 October 2006). "Paul Hunter (obituary, page 2)". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
58. ^ Everton, Clive (11 October 2006). "Obituary: Paul Hunter". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
59. ^ a b "Cancer victim Paul Hunter dies, aged 27". breakingnews.ie. 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
60. ^ "Hundreds gather at Hunter funeral". London: BBC News / West Yorkshire. 19 October 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
61. ^ "Hundreds gather at Hunter funera". BBC News. 19 October 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
62. ^ "Baby delight for cancer hit snooker ace". Daily Mirror. 27 December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
63. ^ "White pays tribute to Hunter". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
64. ^ Hunter, Lindsey (2008). Unbreakable: My Life with Paul – a Story of Extraordinary Courage and Love. HarperElement. ISBN 978-0-00-726091-1.
65. ^ a b Phillips, Owen (20 April 2016). "Paul Hunter: Masters trophy renamed in honour of ex-champion". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
66. ^ "Geschichte der PHC". SnookerStars. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
67. ^ "Other Non-Ranking and Invitation Events". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
68. ^ "Phillips is surprise winner of top Sports Personality award". The Independent. 11 December 2006. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
69. ^ "Official Paul Hunter Foundation Website". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
70. ^ Turner, Chris. "Centuries". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
71. ^ Hayton, Eric; Dee, John (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. Rose Villa Publications. pp. 343–349. ISBN 978-0954854904.
72. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "Welsh Open". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
73. ^ Turner, Chris. "British Open (including British Gold Cup, Yamaha Organs Trophy and Yamaha International Masters)". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
74. ^ Turner, Chris. "Players Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner'S Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
75. ^ "Glory Hunter". The Times. 14 September 1998. p. 28.
76. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "The Masters". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
77. ^ "Paul Hunter Classic History". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
78. ^ Turner, Chris. "English Amateur Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.

## Further reading[edit]

* Hunter, Lindsey (2008). Unbreakable: My Life with Paul – a Story of Extraordinary Courage and Love. London: HarperElement. ISBN 978-0-00-726091-1.

## External links[edit]

* Paul Hunter at the World Snooker Tour
* Paul Hunter tribute in pictures at BBC Sport

* v
* t
* e

Masters champions

* 1975:  John Spencer (ENG)
* 1976:  Ray Reardon (WAL)
* 1977:  Doug Mountjoy (WAL)
* 1978:  Alex Higgins (NIR)
* 1979:  Perrie Mans (RSA)
* 1980:  Terry Griffiths (WAL)
* 1981:  Alex Higgins (NIR)
* 1982:  Steve Davis (ENG)
* 1983:  Cliff Thorburn (CAN)
* 1984:  Jimmy White (ENG)
* 1985:  Cliff Thorburn (CAN)
* 1986:  Cliff Thorburn (CAN)
* 1987:  Dennis Taylor (NIR)
* 1988:  Steve Davis (ENG)
* 1989:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1990:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1991:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1992:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1993:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1994:  Alan McManus (SCO)
* 1995:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 1996:  Stephen Hendry (SCO)
* 1997:  Steve Davis (ENG)
* 1998:  Mark Williams (WAL)
* 1999:  John Higgins (SCO)
* 2000:  Matthew Stevens (WAL)
* 2001:  Paul Hunter (ENG)
* 2002:  Paul Hunter (ENG)
* 2003:  Mark Williams (WAL)
* 2004:  Paul Hunter (ENG)
* 2005:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2006:  John Higgins (SCO)
* 2007:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2008:  Mark Selby (ENG)
* 2009:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2010:  Mark Selby (ENG)
* 2011:  Ding Junhui (CHN)
* 2012:  Neil Robertson (AUS)
* 2013:  Mark Selby (ENG)
* 2014:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2015:  Shaun Murphy (ENG)
* 2016:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2017:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)
* 2018:  Mark Allen (NIR)
* 2019:  Judd Trump (ENG)
* 2020:  Stuart Bingham (ENG)
* 2021:  Yan Bingtao (CHN)
* 2022:  Neil Robertson (AUS)
* 2023:  Judd Trump (ENG)
* 2024:  Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)

* v
* t
* e

Paul Hunter Classic

Pro–am events|

* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

PTC Tour (minor-ranking)|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015

Ranking events|

* 2016
* 2017
* 2018

Non-ranking events|

* 2019

* Paul Hunter

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States

Other|

* SNAC

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[ENG]: England
*[WAL]: Wales
*[NIR]: Northern Ireland
*[RSA]: South Africa
*[CAN]: Canada
*[SCO]: Scotland
*[CHN]: China
*[AUS]: Australia