Paul Hunter
Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:46:24 PM Wikipedia source
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 in 2001, 2002, and 2004; on all three occasions, he recovered from a deficit in the final to claim the title on a deciding frame. He also won three ranking events: the Welsh Open in 1998 and 2002, and the 2002 British Open. Hunter was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in March 2005, but he continued to play for several months after receiving the diagnosis. He died shortly before his 28th birthday in October 2006. A tournament in Fürth, Germany, was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic in his memory, and he was posthumously awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award. In April 2016, the Masters trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy. He made 114 century breaks in professional competition, the highest of these a 146 in the 2004 Premier League tournament. During the 2004–05 season, Hunter attained a career-high ranking of world number four.
Infobox
Tables
| Tournaments | 1995–96 | 1996–97 | 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 1999–00 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rankings | 78 | 43 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Prix | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 1R | 1R | LQ | 1R | 2R | 1R | 2R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Open | 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 | | 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. | |||
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 1998 | Welsh Open | John Higgins | 9–5 | |
| Runner-up | 1. | 2001 | Welsh Open | Ken Doherty | 2–9 | |
| Winner | 2. | 2002 | Welsh Open (2) | Ken Doherty | 9–7 | |
| Winner | 3. | 2002 | British Open | Ian McCulloch | 9–4 | |
| Runner-up | 2. | 2004 | Players Championship | Jimmy White | 7–9 |
| Legend |
| The Masters (3–0) |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 2001 | The Masters | Fergal O'Brien | 10–9 | |
| Winner | 2. | 2002 | The Masters (2) | Mark Williams | 10–9 | |
| Winner | 3. | 2004 | The Masters (3) | Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10–9 |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 2004 | Grand Prix Fürth | Matthew Stevens | 4–2 |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 1992 | Pontins Junior Championship | David Gray | 3–0 | |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1992 | British Under-18 Championship | Stephen Lee | 2–4 | |
| Winner | 2. | 1993 | Pontins Junior Championship | Matthew Stevens | 4–2 | |
| Winner | 3. | 1993 | Pontins Star of the Future | John Whitty | 3–2 | |
| Winner | 4. | 1995 | English Under-17 Championship | David Gray | 5–4 | |
| Runner-up | 2. | 1995 | English Amateur Championship | David Gray | 7–8 |
References
- New players on the tour do not have a ranking.
- The event was also called the LG Cup (2001/2002-2003/2004)
- The event was also called the European Open (1995/1996-1996/1997 and 2001/2002-2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999)
- The event was also called the China International (1998/1999)
- The event also ran under the name Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
- The event also ran under the name Thailand Open (1995/1996–1996/1997)
- The event ran under different names such as International Open (1995/1996-1996/1997) and Players Championship (2003/2004
- World Snooker Tourhttps://web.archive.org/web/20230319053203/https://wst.tv/players/paul-hunter/
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- The Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110905131246/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article667716.ece
- The Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1531098/Paul-Hunter.html
- The Argushttps://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5101205.snooker-hunter-bids-to-retain-title/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/12/snooker
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6573139.stm
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/TRN/9596/uk_res.shtml
- World Snookerhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120612033453/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/PastPlayersArticle/0,,13165~2234091,00.html
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/TRN/9697/uk_res.shtml
- The Times
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- The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/sport/drug-test-d-day-for-o-sullivan-1.152302
- Bradford Telegraph and Argushttps://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8078025.drugs-fine-for-ace-hunter/
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/wo98_res.shtml
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- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/Rnk/history.asp
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/wo2001_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/bo2000_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/so2001_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/gp2000_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/co2000_res.shtml
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163718.stm
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1627
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1165767.stm
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1626
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/benson_and_hedges_masters_2002/1813295.stm
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0102/wo2002_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1582
- Snooker.orghttp://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/bo2002_res.shtml
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1624
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1566
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2986677.stm
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2997531.stm
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07950nm
- BBC Sporthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/52231678
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1623
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3471197.stm
- Eurosporthttps://www.eurosport.com/snooker/snooker-news-ronnie-o-sullivan-on-his-favourite-rivalry-and-modelling-his-game-on-steve-davis_sto7727643/story.shtml
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1680
- matchroomsport.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20040606134918/http://www.matchroomsport.com/snook5_info.htm
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3653255.stm
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1040
- Global Snookerhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120609230133/http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1665
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6035879.stm
- "Player Profile of Paul Hunter"https://web.archive.org/web/20120313150042/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Players/HunterP.html
- "Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)"http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertypes/neuroendocrine/overview.aspx
- RTÉ Sporthttps://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0406/hunter.html
- Yorkshire Posthttps://web.archive.org/web/20121011162610/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/snooker_star_paul_hunter_dies_at_27_1_2393686
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1034
- Daily Mirrorhttp://www.thefreelibrary.com/Snooker%3A+bRAVE+paul+IS+winner+again.-a0139541511
- Snooker.orghttps://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1038
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- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/oct/11/guardianobituaries.obituaries1
- breakingnews.iehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110614045929/http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/cwidaucwidkf/
- BBC Newshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/6066570.stm
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/article/snooker-appropriate-tribute-to-hunter-high-on-agenda-9v2x9s55mqp
- Evening Standardhttps://www.standard.co.uk/sport/stars-support-masters-tribute-7198045.html
- BBC Sporthttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6232319.stm
- SnookerStars.dehttps://snookerstars.de/index.php/fdfdfdfd
- "Other Non-Ranking and Invitation Events"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155703/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/misc4.html#EngOpen
- BBC Sporthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36095079
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/phillips-is-surprise-winner-of-top-sports-personality-award-428036.html
- The Paul Hunter Foundationhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090412081704/http://www.paulhunterfoundation.org/
- Snooker Scene
- Snooker Scene
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- Hunter 2007.
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- "Professional Players Tournament, Grand Prix, LG Cup"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155938/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/GP.html
- "Malta Grand Prix, Malta Cup"https://web.archive.org/web/20120403122412/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Malta.html
- "China International, China Open, Shanghai Masters, Jiangsu/Wuxi Classic"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155144/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/China.html
- "Dubai Classic, Dubai Masters, Bahrain Snooker Championship"https://web.archive.org/web/20120107153823/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mideast.html
- "Thailand Open, Thailand Classic, Thailand Masters"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155548/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Thai.html
- "International Open, Goya Matchroom Trophy"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155037/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/int.html
- "Welsh Open"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155616/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/welshopen.html
- "British Open (including British Gold Cup, Yamaha Organs Trophy and Yamaha International Masters)"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155129/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/brit.html
- "Players Championship"https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155022/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/playchamp.html
- "The Masters"https://web.archive.org/web/20120107160419/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masters.html
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- Bristol Evening Posthttps://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-post-steve-hits-peak-form/161000113/
- Snooker Scene
- Liverpool Echohttps://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-best-break/161000203/
- Leicester Daily Mercuryhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/leicester-mercury-hunters-junior-title/161000236/
- cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120512004350/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Amateur.html#English