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Paul Hunter

Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English snooker player. He was a three-time Masters champion, winning the event in 2001, 2002, and 2004. He also won three ranking events. He won the Welsh Open in 1998 and 2002 and the British Open in 2002. He was highest ranked in 2004/05 at number four.

Paul Hunter
Born(1978-10-14)14 October 1978
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Died9 October 2006(2006-10-09) (aged 27)
Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England
Sport country England
Nickname
  • Beckham of the Baize
  • The Man with the Golden Cue
Professional1995–2006
Highest ranking4 (2004/2005)[1]
Career winnings£1,535,730
Highest break146:
2004 Premier League
Century breaks114
Tournament wins
Ranking3
Non-ranking3

Hunter was compared to David Beckham being called the "Beckham of the Baize" because of his good looks and style. He died in 2006 due to cancerous tumours. He made a total of 114 century breaks, the highest a 146 in the 2004 Premier League.

Early life

Hunter was born on 14 October 1978 in Leeds, England and was educated at St Andrews Primary School and Cardinal Heenan High School. Aged nine, he was awarded an award for being the best best junior snooker player of the year. He often travelled to Bradford to practise alongside professional player Joe Johnson. He won many junior tournaments and at the age of 14 won the English Doubles Championship with Richard Brooke.[2] With the help of Jimmy Michie and Johnson, Hunter made his debut among the professionals in July 1995 at the age of 16.[1][2][3]

Life and career

Early career (1995–2000)

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.[4] At the 1996 Welsh Open he reached the semi-final beating world champion Stephen Hendry in the last 16.[2][5] The same year he reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, where he beat Willie Thorne 9–0, James Wattana 9–5 and Terry Murphy 9–7, before losing 5–9 to Hendry, who went on to win the event.[6] Hunter played at the 1997 Masters, where he lost 1–5 against Mark Williams in the first round.[7]

Hunter won his first ranking event 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 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.[8] Following the event, he reached the semi-finals of the 1998 UK Championship.[9] At the end of the year, he was named the Snooker Writers Association's "young player of the year".[3][10]

Hunter's first qualified to play in the World Snooker Championship in 1999, where he lost 8–10 in the first round to the winner Stephen Hendry.[11] He ended the season 12th in the 1999-2000 world rankings resulting in automatic qualification into the final stages of ranking tournaments for the first time.[12]

He reached the quarter-final six events the following season. He was a runner-up at the 2001 Welsh Open,[13] a semi-finalist at the British Open and Scottish Open,[14][15] and a quarter-finalist at the Grand Prix and China Open.[16][17]

Masters champion (2001–2004)

At the 2001 Masters, Hunter beat Matthew Stevens 6–5 in the first round, Peter Ebdon 6–3 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Hendry 6–4 in the semi-finals.[18][19] In the final Hunter met Fergal O'Brien. He was behind 3–7, but won seven out of the next nine frames to win 10–9.[19] After winning , Hunter commented that he and his girlfriend had sex between sessions when losing 2-6 and had caused him to play better.[10]

At the following year's event, he also won. He beat Stephen Lee 6–3 in the first round, Peter Ebdon 6–5 in the quarter-finals and Alan McManus 6–5 in the semi-finals where he met Mark Williams in the final.[20] Hunter lost all of the first five frames, but won the match 10–9.[20] Hunter was only the third player to retain the Masters along with Cliff Thorburn and Stephen Hendry.[21] Hunter also won his second ranking event, winning the 2002 Welsh Open, beating Ken Doherty 9–2 in the final,[22] but was defeated 9–10 in the first round of the 2002 World Championship by Quinten Hann.[23] Later in 2002, Hunter won his third ranking event, the British Open defeating Ian McCulloch 9–4 in the final.[24] As defending Masters champion, Hunter reached the semi-finals of the 2003 event, but lost 3–6 to Mark Williams.[25]

In the 2003 World Snooker Championship, he defeated Allister Carter 10–5, Matthew Stevens 13–6 and Peter Ebdon 13–12 to reach the semi-finals.[26][27] In his best-of-33-frames semi-final, Hunter established a 15–9 lead over Ken Doherty, however he only could win one of the next nine frames, and lost the match 16–17.[28] The match was later shown as a "Crucible classic" on the BBC during the original dates for the 2020 World Snooker Championship when the event was delayed.[29][30] 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.[12]

In 2003–04, Hunter won the 2004 Masters for the third time in four years. Hunter was behind Ronnie O'Sullivan during the match 1–6, 2–7, 6–8 and 7–9 before winning the final three frames to win. He made five century breaks in the match.[31][32] Hunter also reached the final of the Players Championship, but lost 7–9 against Jimmy White.[33] At the 2004 Premier League Snooker event, he made his career highest break, a 146 in a 3–5 loss to Marco Fu.[34] He reached the second round of the 2004 World Snooker Championship, where he lost 12–13 against Matthew Stevens, despite leading at both 10–6 and 12–10.[35]

Hunter began the 2004–05 season, by reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix, where he lost 3–6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan.[36] He then reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 China Open, just days after discovering that he was suffering from cancer.[37] His career-high ranking was number four in the world during the 2004-2005 season, which dropped to number five the following season.[12]

Later years and illness (2005–2006)

On 6 April 2005, Hunter announced that he was suffering cancer.[38] Hunter returned to snooker for the start of the 2005–06 season, but lost to Rory McLeod in the first round of the Grand Prix.[39] Hunter's next match of the season was at the UK Championship against Jamie Burnett, in which Hunter was 6–8 down but won the match 9–8.[40] Despite this Hunter lost in the next round 2–9 against eventual champion Ding Junhui.[41] He lost in the first round of the 2006 World Championship 5–10 to Neil Robertson, his last ever match.[10]

He slipped from 5th to 34th in the 2006/2007 rankings.[12][42][43] Hunter admitted that he was worse than the previous year and confirmed that he had been in continuous pain.[44] On 27 July 2006, the WPBSA confirmed that, following a members' vote, the 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.[1][3]

Death and legacy

Hunter died at 8:20 pm on 9 October 2006 – just five days short of his 28th birthday – at the Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield.[45] Prior to the Premier League Snooker matches on 12 October 2006, players Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ken Doherty and Ding Junhui, along with referee Alan Chamberlain and commentators Willie Thorne and Phil Yates, all stood for a moment of silence to remember Hunter.[46] He left a wife, Lindsey, and one daughter.[43] His funeral took place on 19 October 2006 at Leeds Parish Church.[47]

Fellow snooker players Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, Matthew Stevens and Ken Doherty led calls for the Masters trophy to be named in Hunter's memory.[48] Instead, then non-ranking German Open in Fürth was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic in his honour; a event first won by Hunter.[49] Also in 2007, the amateur English Open tournament was renamed the Paul Hunter English Open.[50] On 20 April 2016, the Masters trophy was indeed renamed in Hunter's honour. World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said they had "messed up" by not doing so sooner.[48]

In 2006, Hunter was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award – his widow Lindsey accepted the award on his behalf.[51] A 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".[52] Hunter made 114 competitive century breaks[53] in the course of his professional career, including a high break of 146.[46]

Personal life

Hunter and Lindsey Fell, a beauty therapist, married in August 2004 in Jamaica.[45] On 26 December 2005, Lindsey gave birth to their first and only child, daughter Evie Rose,[43] who weighed 8 lb 2 oz (3.7 kg).[54] He was seen as an exciting player and became known as the "Beckham of the Baize" named after football player David Beckham due to his looks.[2][55] Hunter made comments that his first Masters win was due to having sex between sessions, which he referred to as "plan bonk".[56] After his death, Lindsay wrote Unbreakable: My Life with Paul – a Story of Extraordinary Courage and Love covering Paul's snooker career, life and death.[57]

Performance and rankings timeline

Tournaments 1995–
96 		1996–
97 		1997–
98 		1998–
99 		1999–
00 		2000–
01 		2001–
02 		2002–
03 		2003–
04 		2004–
05 		2005–
06
Rankings[12] [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 A 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 run under different names such as International Open (1995/1996-1996/1997) and Players Championship (2003/2004)

Career finals

Ranking finals: 5 (3 titles, 2 runners-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1998 Welsh Open Higgins, JohnJohn Higgins 9–5 [58]
Runner-up 1. 2001 Welsh Open Doherty, KenKen Doherty 2–9 [58]
Winner 2. 2002 Welsh Open (2) Doherty, KenKen Doherty 9–7 [58]
Winner 3. 2002 British Open McCulloch, IanIan McCulloch 9–4 [59]
Runner-up 2. 2004 Players Championship White, JimmyJimmy White 7–9 [60]

Non-ranking finals: 3 (3 titles)

Legend
The Masters (3–0)
Other (0–0)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2001 The Masters O'Brien, FergalFergal O'Brien 10–9 [61]
Winner 2. 2002 The Masters (2) Williams, MarkMark Williams 10–9 [61]
Winner 3. 2004 The Masters (3) O'Sullivan, RonnieRonnie O'Sullivan 10–9 [61]

Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2004 Grand Prix Fürth Stevens, MatthewMatthew Stevens 4–2 [62]

Amateur finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1995 English Amateur Championship Gray, DavidDavid Gray 7–8 [63]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Player Profile of Paul Hunter". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Gray, Sadie (11 October 2006). "Paul Hunter". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article667716.ece. Retrieved 28 October 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Obituaries: Paul Hunter". The Daily Telegraph (London). 11 October 2006. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1531098/Paul-Hunter.html. Retrieved 17 November 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Royal Liver Assurance UK Open". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "World Snooker Past Players Paul Hunter". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "UK Championship 1996". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "Benson & Hedges Masters 1997". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Snooker.org: Regal Welsh Open 1998". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  9. ↑ "Liverpool Victoria UK Championship 1998". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Paul Hunter". The Independent (London). 11 October 2006. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/paul-hunter-419492.html. Retrieved 28 October 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Embassy World Championship 1999". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Regal Welsh Open 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  14. ↑ "British Open 2000". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  15. ↑ "Regal Scottish Open 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  16. ↑ "Grand Prix 2000". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  17. ↑ "China Open 2000". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  18. ↑ "Hunter bags Hendry scalp". BBC Sport (London). 10 February 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163718.stm. Retrieved 14 December 2008. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Snooker.org: Benson & Hedges Masters 2001". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Benson & Hedges Masters 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  21. ↑ "Hunter bags second Masters". BBC Sport Media (London). 11 February 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/benson_and_hedges_masters_2002/1813295.stm. Retrieved 14 December 2008. 
  22. ↑ "Regal Welsh Open 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  23. ↑ "Embassy World Championship 2002". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  24. ↑ "British Open 2002". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  25. ↑ "Benson & Hedges Masters 2003". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  26. ↑ "Embassy World Championship 2003". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  27. ↑ Mark Orlovac (1 May 2003). "Hunter edges out Ebdon". BBC Sport Media (London). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2986677.stm. Retrieved 18 December 2008. 
  28. ↑ Dan Warren (3 May 2003). "Doherty wins Crucible epic". BBC Sport Media (London). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2997531.stm. Retrieved 18 December 2008. 
  29. ↑ "Snooker: World Championship, Crucible Classics, Ken Doherty v Paul Hunter, 2003". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  30. ↑ "BBC to show classic Crucible matches". BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/52231678. Retrieved 30 April 2020. 
  31. ↑ "Snooker.org: Masters 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  32. ↑ Clive Jones (9 February 2004). "Hunter claims Masters epic". BBC Sport (London). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3471197.stm. Retrieved 13 December 2008. 
  33. ↑ "Daily Record Players Championship 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  34. ↑ "February 21–22, 2004". matchroomsport.com. Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 6 June 2004.
  35. ↑ Harlow, Phil (24 April 2004). "Stevens shoots down Hunter". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3653255.stm. Retrieved 17 November 2010. 
  36. ↑ "Grand Prix 2004". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  37. ↑ "China Open 2005". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  38. ↑ "Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)". MacMillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  39. ↑ "Grand Prix 2005". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  40. ↑ "Brave Hunter is winner again". Daily Mirror on TheFreeLibrary.com. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  41. ↑ "Travis Perkins UK Championship 2005". Snooker.org. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  42. ↑ "Snooker star Paul Hunter dies at 27". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 Gray, Sadie (11 October 2006). "Paul Hunter". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article667716.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2. Retrieved 28 October 2010. 
  44. ↑ Everton, Clive (11 October 2006). "Obituary: Paul Hunter". The Guardian (London). https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/oct/11/guardianobituaries.obituaries1. Retrieved 28 October 2010. 
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 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.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Cancer victim Paul Hunter dies, aged 27". breakingnews.ie. 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  47. ↑ Hundreds gather at Hunter funeral. London: BBC News / West Yorkshire. 19 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/6066570.stm. Retrieved 13 April 2007. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Phillips, Owen (20 April 2016). "Paul Hunter: Masters trophy renamed in honour of ex-champion". BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36095079. Retrieved 20 April 2016. 
  49. ↑ "Geschichte der PHC". SnookerStars. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  50. ↑ "Other Non-Ranking and Invition Events". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  51. ↑ Phillips is surprise winner of top Sports Personality award. 11 December 2006. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/phillips-is-surprise-winner-of-top-sports-personality-award-428036.html. Retrieved 25 March 2019. 
  52. ↑ "Official Paul Hunter Foundation Website". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
  53. ↑ Chris Turner. "Centuries". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  54. ↑ "Baby delight for cancer hit snooker ace". Daily Mirror. 27 December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  55. ↑ "White pays tribute to Hunter". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  56. ↑ "Interview Paul Hunter". The Guardian (London). 12 April 2004. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/12/snooker. Retrieved 29 March 2011. 
  57. ↑ Hunter, Lindsey (2008). Unbreakable: My Life with Paul – a Story of Extraordinary Courage and Love. HarperElement. ISBN 978-0-00-726091-1.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 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.
  59. ↑ 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.
  60. ↑ 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.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 Turner, Chris. "The Masters". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  62. ↑ "Paul Hunter Classic History". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  63. ↑ 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

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