Paul Hunter
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:16:14 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
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
Professional
1995–2006
Highest ranking
4 (2004–05)
Century breaks
114
Ranking
3
Tables
Career event results · Performance and rankings timeline
Rankings
Rankings
Tournaments
Rankings
1996–
97
78
1997–
98
43
1998–
99
24
1999–
00
12
2000–
01
14
2001–
02
9
2002–
03
9
2003–
04
8
2004–
05
4
2005–
06
5
Ranking tournaments
Ranking tournaments
Tournaments
Ranking tournaments
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Tournaments
Grand Prix
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
1R
1997–
98
3R
1998–
99
2R
1999–
00
3R
2000–
01
QF
2001–
02
3R
2002–
03
QF
2003–
04
3R
2004–
05
SF
2005–
06
1R
UK Championship
UK Championship
Tournaments
UK Championship
1995–
96
2R
1996–
97
QF
1997–
98
1R
1998–
99
SF
1999–
00
2R
2000–
01
2R
2001–
02
3R
2002–
03
3R
2003–
04
QF
2004–
05
3R
2005–
06
3R
Malta Cup
Malta Cup
Tournaments
Malta Cup
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
NH
1998–
99
2R
1999–
00
Not Held
2000–
01
1R
2001–
02
QF
2002–
03
2R
2003–
04
1R
2004–
05
1R
Welsh Open
Welsh Open
Tournaments
Welsh Open
1995–
96
SF
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
W
1998–
99
2R
1999–
00
3R
2000–
01
F
2001–
02
W
2002–
03
SF
2003–
04
QF
2004–
05
2R
2005–
06
2R
China Open
China Open
Tournaments
China Open
1995–
96
Not Held
1996–
97
NR
1997–
98
1R
1998–
99
1R
1999–
00
QF
2000–
01
2R
2001–
02
Not Held
2002–
03
QF
2003–
04
1R
World Championship
World Championship
Tournaments
World Championship
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
LQ
1998–
99
1R
1999–
00
1R
2000–
01
2R
2001–
02
1R
2002–
03
SF
2003–
04
2R
2004–
05
1R
2005–
06
1R
Non-ranking tournaments
Non-ranking tournaments
Tournaments
Non-ranking tournaments
Pot Black
Pot Black
Tournaments
Pot Black
1995–
96
Tournament Not Held
1996–
97
SF
Premier League
Premier League
Tournaments
Premier League
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
A
1999–
00
A
2000–
01
A
2001–
02
A
2002–
03
A
2003–
04
RR
2004–
05
RR
2005–
06
A
The Masters
The Masters
Tournaments
The Masters
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
WR
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
A
1999–
00
1R
2000–
01
W
2001–
02
W
2002–
03
SF
2003–
04
W
2004–
05
1R
2005–
06
1R
Former ranking tournaments
Former ranking tournaments
Tournaments
Former ranking tournaments
Asian Classic
Asian Classic
Tournaments
Asian Classic
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
Tournament Not Held
German Open
German Open
Tournaments
German Open
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
LQ
1998–
99
NR
1999–
00
Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix
Malta Grand Prix
Tournaments
Malta Grand Prix
1995–
96
Non-Ranking Event
1996–
97
1R
1997–
98
NR
1998–
99
Tournament Not Held
Thailand Masters
Thailand Masters
Tournaments
Thailand Masters
1995–
96
1R
1996–
97
1R
1997–
98
LQ
1998–
99
1R
1999–
00
2R
2000–
01
1R
2001–
02
2R
2002–
03
Tournament Not Held
Scottish Open
Scottish Open
Tournaments
Scottish Open
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
3R
1998–
99
QF
1999–
00
1R
2000–
01
SF
2001–
02
2R
2002–
03
2R
2003–
04
F
2004–
05
Not Held
British Open
British Open
Tournaments
British Open
1995–
96
LQ
1996–
97
LQ
1997–
98
LQ
1998–
99
2R
1999–
00
3R
2000–
01
SF
2001–
02
2R
2002–
03
W
2003–
04
QF
2004–
05
2R
2005–
06
NH
Irish Masters
Irish Masters
Tournaments
Irish Masters
1995–
96
Non-Ranking Event
1996–
97
SF
1997–
98
2R
1998–
99
2R
1999–
00
NH
Former non-ranking tournaments
Former non-ranking tournaments
Tournaments
Former non-ranking tournaments
Pontins Professional
Pontins Professional
Tournaments
Pontins Professional
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
QF
1999–
00
SF
2000–
01
Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix
Malta Grand Prix
Tournaments
Malta Grand Prix
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
A
1999–
00
R
2000–
01
RR
2001–
02
Tournament Not Held
Champions Cup
Champions Cup
Tournaments
Champions Cup
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
A
1999–
00
A
2000–
01
A
2001–
02
RR
2002–
03
Tournament Not Held
Irish Masters
Irish Masters
Tournaments
Irish Masters
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
A
1999–
00
A
2000–
01
A
2001–
02
1R
2002–
03
Ranking Event
2003–
04
NH
Scottish Masters
Scottish Masters
Tournaments
Scottish Masters
1995–
96
A
1996–
97
A
1997–
98
A
1998–
99
1R
1999–
00
LQ
2000–
01
A
2001–
02
1R
2002–
03
QF
2003–
04
Not Held
| 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 and rankings timeline
LQ
LQ
Performance Table Legend
LQ
Performance Table Legend
lost in the qualifying draw
Performance Table Legend
lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)
Performance Table Legend
QF
Performance Table Legend
lost in the quarter-finals
SF
SF
Performance Table Legend
SF
Performance Table Legend
lost in the semi–finals
Performance Table Legend
F
Performance Table Legend
lost in the final
Performance Table Legend
W
Performance Table Legend
won the tournament
A
A
Performance Table Legend
A
Performance Table Legend
did not participate in the tournament
| 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 | ||||
· Performance and rankings timeline
NR / Non-Ranking Event
NR / Non-Ranking Event
NH / Not Held
NR / Non-Ranking Event
NH / Not Held
event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event
R / Ranking Event
NH / Not Held
R / Ranking Event
NH / Not Held
event is/was a ranking event.
| 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. | |||
· Career finals › Ranking finals: 5 (3 titles)
Winner
Winner
Outcome
Winner
No.
1.
Year
1998
Championship
Welsh Open
Opponent in the final
John Higgins
Score
9–5
Runner-up
Runner-up
Outcome
Runner-up
No.
1.
Year
2001
Championship
Welsh Open
Opponent in the final
Ken Doherty
Score
2–9
Winner
Winner
Outcome
Winner
No.
2.
Year
2002
Championship
Welsh Open (2)
Opponent in the final
Ken Doherty
Score
9–7
Winner
Winner
Outcome
Winner
No.
3.
Year
2002
Championship
British Open
Opponent in the final
Ian McCulloch
Score
9–4
Runner-up
Runner-up
Outcome
Runner-up
No.
2.
Year
2004
Championship
Players Championship
Opponent in the final
Jimmy White
Score
7–9
| 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 |
· Career finals › Non-ranking finals: 3 (3 titles)
The Masters (3–0)
The Masters (3–0)
Legend
The Masters (3–0)
| Legend |
| The Masters (3–0) |
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/
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/paul-hunter-419492.html
- 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
- Snookerhttp://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
- Snookerhttp://www.snooker.org/TRN/9697/uk_res.shtml
- The Times
- Snookerhttp://www.snooker.org/trn/9697/bh_res.shtml
- The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/sport/drug-test-d-day-for-o-sullivan-1.152302