Wikipedia

1999 World Snooker Championship

The 1999 World Snooker Championship (officially the 1999 Embassy World Snooker Championship) was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 17 April to 3 May 1999 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, the 23rd consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship was staged at the venue. Sponsored by cigarette brand Embassy, the tournament was the ninth and final ranking event of the 1998–99 season. The winner received £230,000 from a total prize fund of £1,400,000.

1999 Embassy World Snooker Championship
Tournament information
Dates17 April – 3 May 1999 (1999-04-17 – 1999-05-03)
VenueCrucible Theatre
CitySheffield
CountryEngland
OrganisationWPBSA
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£1,400,000
Winner's share£230,000
Highest break John Higgins (SCO) (142)
Final
Champion Stephen Hendry (SCO)
Runner-up Mark Williams (WAL)
Score18–11
← 1998
2000 →

The top 16 players from the snooker world rankings were seeded through to the main stage at the Crucible. They were joined by the 16 successful players from the qualifying rounds. There were five pre-qualifying rounds and nine qualifying rounds. There were eight Crucible debutants at the tournament: Leo Fernandez, Marco Fu, Gerard Greene, Paul Hunter, John Lardner, Ian McCulloch, Joe Perry, and Nick Walker.

John Higgins was the defending champion, having defeated Ken Doherty 18–12 in the 1998 final to win his maiden world title. He lost 10–17 to Mark Williams in the semi-finals, becoming the ninth player to experience the so-called Crucible curse, referring to the fact that no first-time champion had retained the title since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977. Stephen Hendry defeated Williams 18–11 in the final to win a seventh world title in nine years. With this win, Hendry superseded Ray Reardon and Steve Davis, who had each won the tournament six times, to become the most successful player in the modern era of the World Championship. The main stage of the tournament produced 53 century breaks, of which the highest was a 142 by Higgins in his first-round match against Greene.

Background

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The Crucible Theatre from outside
For the 23rd consecutive year, the main stage of the tournament was held at the Crucible Theatre (pictured in 2010) in Sheffield, England.

The inaugural 1927 World Snooker Championship, then known as the Professional Championship of Snooker, took place at various venues in England between November 1926 and May 1927. Joe Davis won the final—held at Camkin's Hall in Birmingham from 9 to 12 May 1927—and went on to win the tournament 15 consecutive times before retiring undefeated after the 1946 edition (no tournaments were held from 1941 to 1945 because of World War II).[1][2][3] The tournament went into abeyance after only two players contested the 1952 edition. The six editions of the World Professional Match-play Championship held between 1952 and 1957 are retroactively regarded as legitimate continuations of the World Snooker Championship, but that tournament was discontinued due to waning public interest in snooker in the post-war era. The world title was uncontested between 1958 and 1963.[1][2]

Then-professional player Rex Williams was instrumental in reviving the World Snooker Championship on a challenge basis in 1964. John Pulman, winner of the 1957 World Professional Match-play Championship, defended the world title across seven challenge matches between 1964 and 1968. The World Snooker Championship reverted to an annual knockout tournament for the 1969 edition, marking the beginning of the championship's "modern era".[4][5] The 1977 edition was the first staged at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where it has remained since.[6][7] As of 1999, the most successful players in the modern era were Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, and Stephen Hendry, each having won the title six times.[8][9][10] Hendry was also the tournament's youngest winner, having captured his first title at the 1990 event, aged 21 years and 106 days.[11] Reardon was the oldest winner, having secured his sixth title at the 1978 event, aged 45 years and 203 days.[12]

Overview

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The 1999 World Snooker Championship was the ninth and last ranking tournament of the 1998–99 snooker season, held from 17 April to 3 May, after the British Open.[13] It was sponsored by cigarette brand Embassy.[14] The 1999 edition marked the 23rd consecutive year that the tournament was held at the Crucible Theatre and the 30th successive year that the World Championship was contested through the modern knockout format.[7][15][16] The defending champion was John Higgins, who had defeated Ken Doherty 18–12 in the final of the 1998 World Championship to win his maiden world title.[17]

Format

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The top 16 players in the snooker world rankings were seeded through to the main stage at the Crucible Theatre. They faced 16 players who progressed through the qualifying rounds, which took place from 3 January to 20 March at the Newport Centre in Wales.[18][19] First-round matches were played as the best of 19 frames, held over two sessions. Second-round and quarter-final matches were played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions. The semi-final matches were played as the best of 33 frames, held over four sessions. The final was the best of 35 frames, also held over four sessions.[20][18]

Prize fund

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The winner received £230,000 from a total prize fund of £1,400,000. The breakdown of prize money is shown below:[21][22][18]

  • Winner: £230,000
  • Runner-up: £135,000
  • Semi-final: £68,000
  • Quarter-final: £34,000
  • Last 16: £18,350
  • Last 32: £12,500
  • Last 48: £9,250
  • Last 64: £6,000
  • Last 96: £3,700
  • Last 134: £300
  • Stage one highest break : £2,000
  • Stage two highest break : £20,000
  • Stage two maximum break: £147,000
  • Total: £1,400,000

Summary

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Qualifying

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There were fourteen rounds of qualifying matches.[23] The first six rounds of qualifying were played at Hazel Grove Snooker Club, Stockport, from 11 to 15 December 1998.[24] The first five rounds were the best of 9 frames and round six was the best of 11.[23] Journalist Martin Johnson, who wrote a week before the event that his highest break was only nine, lost 0–5 to Gary Challis in the first round.[23][25] The reigning Women's World Champion, Kelly Fisher, defeated Arthur Eldridge and Ben Fitzgerald before losing 4–5 to Tim English in the fourth round.[26] Rounds 7 to 11 took place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, from 14 to 21 January 1999 as best-of-19-frame matches.[24][23] Mike Hallett recovered from 0–8 down against Kyndon Paddon in round seven to win 10–9, then beat Andy Neck 10–4.[27] However, his 7–10 loss to Robert Milkins in the ninth round meant that Hallett lost his place on the professional tour because of his ranking position.[27]

Rounds 12 to 14 were played at Telford International Centre from 29 March to 2 April, as the best of 19 frames.[24][23] In the 12th round, the 1985 champion Dennis Taylor, who was considering retiring from the game, lost 3–10 to Nick Walker and commented "That was pathetic ... after 28 years as a professional that would be an embarrassing way to finish off my career".[28]: 12  His manager received over 3,000 letters from fans asking Taylor to continue playing.[28] Willie Thorne experienced his heaviest defeat as a professional in his 24-year career, beaten 0–10 by Paul Sweeney.[28] Former world number two Tony Knowles lost 4–10 to Michael Judge.[28] The 1986 winner Joe Johnson recovered from 2–5 down against Robin Hull to win 10–7.[28] Ian McCulloch made a 144 break during his 10–9 win against Barry Pinches, equalling the best break in qualifying that year set by Stephen Maguire.[28] Dean Reynolds was granted permission to play on day release from prison, where he was serving a sentence for drink-driving, and defeated John Read 10–8.[29][30]

Walker led 9–0 against Rod Lawler in the 13th round, but Lawler won the next eight frames before Walker clinched victory at 10–9.[31] Nick Pearce was mistaken about the day when his match started, and after he was contacted arrived at the venue late, leading to him forfeiting three frames.[31] He went on to defeat Gary Ponting 10–7.[31] Bradley Jones mistakenly potted a red again after potting the penultimate red when level at 7–7 with Leo Fernandez.[31] The seven-point penalty left him needing snookers in that frame; he lost the match 9–10.[31] Fu compiled ten breaks of 50 or more in his 10–4 defeat of Milkins.[31] Reynolds beat Johnson 10–5.[32] Six-time runner-up Jimmy White defeated Reynolds 10–7 in the 14th round to confirm his 19th consecutive appearance at the main event.[33] Graeme Dott made a total clearance of 141 in the first frame of his match against Fu, but Fu won 10–4.[33] Paul Hunter qualified for the first time by defeating Gary Wilkinson in the deciding frame of their match.[33]

First round

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The first round was played between 17 and 22 April as the best of 19 frames held over two sessions.[20][34] The defending champion, John Higgins, had earned more than £400,000 in prize money during the season.[34] After his opponent, Gerard Greene, made a 95 break to trail 1–2, Higgins won six consecutive frames for an 8–1 lead.[35] He went on to win 10–2.[18] Nigel Bond, who had not reached the quarter-finals of any ranking event during the season,[34] faced Dominic Dale. Dale won the first frame, but Bond then took eight in a row. In the fifteenth frame, Dale scored 167 points: a red plus 44 penalty points from eleven misses plus a 122 break, which set a record for the highest number of total points scored in a single frame during professional competition.[36] The record stood until 2021, when it was broken by Jimmy Robertson, who scored 178 points in a frame during the Scottish Open.[37] Bond won the match 10–6.[38] Facing Fergal O'Brien, Tony Drago had reached the semi-finals of only one ranking tournament that season, the 1998 Irish Open.[34] Drago won the first four frames of the match and went on to secure a 10–4 victory.[38] Anthony Hamilton, runner-up of the 1999 British Open during the season,[34] lost a deciding frame against Chris Small.[38]

John Parrott, champion in 1991,[34] was tied at 8–8 with Terry Murphy, but took the last two frames of the match for victory.[38] Ken Doherty, winner of the 1997 World Championship and runner-up in 1998, had lost the final of the 1999 Masters during the season. He attempted a maximum break in his match against Steve James, but missed the fourteenth red. "I thought the 147 was on when I reached 24. It was a great chance because the reds were nicely spread. You don't get many opportunities to make a maximum, especially here," Doherty said afterwards. In frame seven, James compiled the 500th century break in the history of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre[39] and also made a 137 total clearance, but lost 3–10 to Doherty, who made breaks of 81, 65, 57, 56 and 54 in the match.[40] Walker faced Alain Robidoux, a semi-finalist the previous year.[34] Robidoux took the first frame, but Walker took five in a row and went on to win the match 10–6.[41] Matthew Stevens made a 120 break as he took the first four frames of his encounter with Peter Ebdon, runner-up in 1996.[34] Stevens also won the last three of the match for a 10–7 victory.[40]

Steve Davis during a match
Six-time champion Steve Davis (pictured in 2008) lost a deciding frame to qualifier Joe Perry and exited the tournament in the first round.

In the first all-Asian match at the Crucible, James Wattana, a semi-finalist in 1994 and 1997,[34] built a 5–4 lead against Marco Fu.[40] Fu then went 8–7 ahead, but Wattana won three consecutive frames, making a 136 break in the process, to progress to the second round.[42] Mark King, who had lost three first-round matches that season, was in danger of losing his place in the top 16. He defeated Darren Morgan 10–8 to secure it.[43] Mark Williams, a semi-finalist the previous year,[34] defeated McCulloch 10–4.[44] Six-time World Champion Stephen Hendry, who had won the 1999 Irish Masters and the 1999 Scottish Open during the season,[34] led Hunter 5–4.[42] Hunter led 8–7, but Hendry won three consecutive frames to claim victory. "There were two or three qualifiers most of us wanted to avoid and Paul [Hunter] was one of them. This was a tough match," Hendry said.[45]

Joe Perry had a five-frame advantage at 7–2 over Steve Davis,[42] winner of the event in 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988 and 1989.[34] Davis recovered to force a deciding frame, in which he built a 52-point lead. However, he missed a blue ball and Perry replied with a clearance of 55 to progress to the second round. "This won't sink in for a day or two but I thought Steve [Davis] would win as he moved nearer and nearer the finishing line. There were only four reds left when I went back to the table and I knew it was my last chance," Perry said.[45] Having reached the Crucible as a qualifier, White faced Alan McManus, runner-up at the season's 1999 Irish Open and 1999 Thailand Masters.[34] Although White won three of the first four frames, McManus won the match 10–7.[45] Stephen Lee, winner of the 1998 Grand Prix, took a 7–2 lead against Crucible debutant John Lardner in their first session. Lardner reduced Lee's lead to 9–7 down, but Lee took the following frame on the colours to claim victory. "That was a real struggle and I'll have to play a lot better if I'm to stay in the championship. There's work to be done," Lee stated. Lardner admitted that his hands "were shaking badly" during the first stages of the match.[46] Ronnie O'Sullivan had won the 1998 Scottish Masters during the season, but then did not compete in the 1998 UK Championship and the 1998 German Masters.[34] He defeated Fernandez 10–3. "That performance wasn't the best in the world, though, to be fair, I wasn't under any real pressure," O'Sullivan said afterward.[46]

Second round

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John Higgins playing a shot
John Higgins (pictured in 2011) won all eight frames of the first session both in his second-round and quarter-final matches. He lost to Mark Williams in the semi-finals and became the ninth first-time champion who failed to defend his title since the tournament moved to the Crucible Theatre in 1977.

The second round was played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 22 and 26 April.[20][34] The match between Small and Parrott produced several lengthy frames, one lasting an hour, another 47 minutes and two 43 minutes. Small tied the scores at 12–12 with a 131 break to force a decider, which Parrott won with a break of 68. "I just couldn't get rid of him. I should have won 13–10 but he dug in and made a fantastic century after looking a bit shaky. I know Chris [Small] is slow but he is still a very good player and difficult to play against," Parrott said. "This is the third time I've played John [Parrott] and I've lost in the decider all three [times]. I can't play fast, if I did I would miss all the time. I can't change my game," Small replied. After this defeat, Small lost his place in the top 16, which went to White.[43]

Higgins made back-to-back century breaks of 104 and 108 to build an 8–0 advantage over King in the first session. King replied with two successive century breaks of his own, but Higgins made further breaks of 84, 77, 75, 62 and 51 as he won the match 13–4.[43][44][46] Stevens made breaks of 79, 73, 72, 62, 60 and 53 as he took a 6–2 lead over Drago.[43] Drago won four of the next six, but Stevens later took three consecutive frames to win 13–8.[47] Bond led Doherty 10–6 and 11–10, but Doherty won three frames in a row to secure victory.[47][43]

Wattana led Hendry 2–1, but Hendry made breaks of 74, 65 and 64 as he moved into a 4–2 lead. Wattana won the seventh frame. In frame eight, Wattana missed the final blue. Hendry potted blue and pink, but then missed the black, which Wattana potted to tie the scores at 4–4.[48] In frame 19, Hendry attempted a maximum break, but the break ended at 80. He went on to win 13–7. "Every time I win here [at the Crucible] I think that's enough, but when I return I want to win it again and it's no different this year," Hendry said.[49] O'Sullivan was 5–3 ahead of Perry, who recovered to tie the scores at 6–6, but O'Sullivan won three of the last four frames of the second session to lead 9–7. O'Sullivan went on to win 13–8.[48][44] "I felt more confident in this match than I have done for maybe six years and I'm much happier with any form," O'Sullivan said.[49]

Aided by breaks of 49, 89 and 128, Lee won the first three frames against McManus. McManus won the fourth. In the fifth, McManus required snookers, but Lee went in-off and McManus took advantage of a free ball to win the frame. Further breaks of 87 and 104 gave Lee a four-frame advantage at the end of the first session.[48] Lee extended his lead to seven frames at 9–2 and went on to win 13–7. "I feel I can win this championship, no problem," Lee said.[49] Walker was tied with Williams at 6–6, but Williams ended the first day of play 9–7 ahead.[48] Williams, who made breaks of 123, 88, 83, 62, 55 and 52 during the match, took all four frames played in the third session to win 13–7. "I have as good a chance as anyone here. My form can hardly improve all that much on what I have so far achieved this season," he claimed.[49]

Quarter-finals

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The quarter-finals were played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 27 and 28 April.[20][34] Higgins faced Lee. For a second consecutive match, Higgins won all eight frames in the first session.[50] In the second session, the first six frames were shared and Lee then won the remaining two of the session to reduce the deficit to six at 5–11.[51] Lee then made a 110 break to win frame 17, but Higgins made a century break of his own as he won 13–6.[52]

O'Sullivan faced Parrott, who was making his 11th appearance in the World Championship quarter-finals.[43] O'Sullivan led 3–1. Parrott made a century of 133 to win frame five, but O'Sullivan made breaks of 88, 52, 85, 70 and 120 to win the next five frames and lead 8–2. Parrott won the next with a break of 79, but O'Sullivan produced a century of 105 to go 9–3 in front and went on to win 13–9.[51] "This was as good a result as I've ever had considering the stage we were on and the fact that John has been my bogey man for such a long time. He even gave me a 13–3 w[h]upping here five years ago," O'Sullivan said, referring to the 1994 World Championship.[53] Parrott praised O'Sullivan, stating: "People say it's a travesty that Jimmy White has never won the world title. But it would be an even bigger one if Ronnie [O'Sullivan] never wins it. For pure natural talent and ability he is the best that ever wielded the cue. He just floats around the table pinging balls in from everywhere."[51]

In a repeat of one of the previous year's semi-finals, Williams faced Doherty. Williams made breaks of 71, 76, 78 and 82 as he won seven of the first eight frames. Doherty recovered to trail by four frames at 8–12, but Williams clinched victory with a break of 97.[51] "The damage was done during the first eight frames when Mark [Williams] hit a purple patch. He is a tough player who is difficult to stop and has a good chance of winning," Doherty said.[53] Hendry won the first five frames against Stevens, making a break of 109 in frame five. Stevens then won two consecutive frames, making a century break of his own. Hendry led 8–2 and 10–3, and made another century break as he secured a 13–5 win.[52] "I have proved I am far from being a spent force and some of my clearances were vintage Hendry. I just have to score a little heavier, otherwise every aspect of my game is good," Hendry claimed.[53]

Semi-finals

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Mark Williams playing a shot
Mark Williams (pictured in 2013) defeated John Higgins 17–10 to reach the final of the World Championship for the first time in his career.

The semi-finals were played as the best of 33 frames, held over four sessions, between 29 April and 1 May.[20][34] Higgins faced Williams. "It will be a massive battle and I'm sure Mark [Williams] will bring the best out of me. I will have to be on top form to win, though I reckon I'm a better player now than I was this time last year. I also believe I'm the one to beat, but I suppose the other three [semi-finalists] are saying the same," Higgins said in the build-up to the semi-final.[53] Higgins made a 72 break to win the first frame. After breaks of 104 and 101 by Williams and 126 by Higgins, the scores were tied at 3–3. Two consecutive half-centuries gave Williams the lead, but Higgins made a century break as he tied the scores again.[18] During this break, Higgins alerted the referee, Alan Chamberlain, to droplets of water falling on the table. Play was stopped and the table covered to avoid any damage. Play resumed after twenty minutes.[54] The scores were also level at 6–6, 7–7 and 8–8. Williams then won four consecutive frames and went on to secure a 17–10 victory.[18] Higgins's defeat made him the ninth first-time champion who failed to defend his title since the tournament moved to the Crucible Theatre in 1977, succumbing to what has been called the 'Crucible curse'.[55] "That's the best anyone has ever played against me. I did feel intimidated because I was missing some long pots and I knew if I missed, Mark [Williams] wouldn't. It made me get uptight as well. It's not the worst moment of my career but I won't watch the final. It's too hurtful," Higgins said.[56]

In the second semi-final, Hendry faced O'Sullivan. "Ronnie [O'Sullivan] is a match for anyone if his head and attitude are right. He is probably the most talented player in the world, but he does make mistakes and at this stage it is how you punish those mistakes that counts," Hendry said ahead of the match.[53] Hendry made breaks of 126, 82 and 86 to lead 3–0, with O'Sullivan still to pot a ball.[57] O'Sullivan won the fourth frame with a break of 78, but Hendry extended his lead to 6–1. O'Sullivan then won five frames in a row to tie the scores, making breaks of 67, 122 and 135. The match was also level at 7–7 and 10–10. Four consecutive century breaks, two by each player, followed. One of them was a maximum attempt by O'Sullivan, who missed the last pink ball to the middle pocket. O'Sullivan made a 70 break in the 25th frame to take the lead at 13–12 for the first time in the semi-final, but Hendry then won five consecutive frames for a 17–13 victory.[18] Clive Everton praised the match as "one of the best" ever in the World Championship.[58]

Final

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Stephen Hendry playing a shot
Stephen Hendry (pictured in 2011) defeated Mark Williams 18–11 to claim a seventh world title, a modern-era record, superseding the six titles won by both Ray Reardon and Steve Davis.

The final was played as the best of 35 frames, held over four sessions, on 2 and 3 May, between Williams and Hendry.[20][34] Hendry was playing in his eighth world final, having previously won six titles and been runner-up once, while Williams contested the final of the event for the first time. Williams had won the three major finals the two had contested before, including the 1998 Masters on a re-spotted black in the deciding frame. "Mark [Williams] has become something of an annoyance to me as I have such a poor record against him. I have also been watching him here and he has been awesome," Hendry said ahead of the match. On their way to the final of the World Championship, Hendry had lost 33 frames and Williams 30.[59] Referee Colin Brinded officiated the match.[60]

Hendry took the first four frames, making breaks of 62, 98 and 77. Williams won the fifth frame, but another half-century gave Hendry a 5–1 lead. Williams won the last two frames of the session, making a break of 86 in the last, to leave Hendry 5–3 ahead. In the second session, Hendry made breaks of 77 and 76 as he restored a four-frame lead at 7–3. The following two frames were shared, with Hendry compiling a 132 break. Williams won frames 13 and 14, but Hendry took the last two frames of the session, making a break of 92 to lead 10–6 overnight.[18]

In the third session, Williams made breaks of 85 and 72 as he reduced Hendry's lead to 10–8. The following two frames were shared, but Hendry then made breaks of 106, 55 and 53 to win the remaining four frames of the session, which he ended with a 15–9 lead. In the fourth and final session, Hendry made breaks of 66 and 62 as he moved one frame from victory at 17–9. Williams won frame 27 with an 89 break and also won frame 28. In the next frame, Williams led by 40 points when he missed a red, allowing Hendry to win the frame and match with an 88 break, completing an 18–11 victory.[18][61]

Hendry won a record seventh world title, superseding the six world titles won by both Ray Reardon and Davis, making him the most successful player in the World Championship during the modern era. "This is worth more to me than [my] other six championships put together. This is my finest hour in snooker without a doubt. I've been in the doldrums for a couple of years and wondered if I would ever win another title," Hendry said afterwards. He said he did not think he would have been able to win the World Championship again if not for Frank Callan's coaching. It was Hendry's 31st ranking event win. He earned £230,000, while Williams received £135,000 as runner-up.[62] "There was nothing left in the tank in the last session. I was done for. But it's still an achievement to get this far. Stephen [Hendry] played too strongly for me all through the match," Williams admitted.[61]

Brendan Cooper wrote in Deep Pockets: Snooker and the Meaning of Life (2023) that after winning in 1999, Hendry was "able to look back on an epoch of domination even more complete than Davis'. In snooker history, the 1990s are quite simply Hendry's property: the entire decade is a boar's head, handing on his living room wall."[63]

Main draw

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The draw for the main tournament is shown below. The numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the seedings for the 16 seeded players. The match winners are shown in bold.[18]

Round 1 (Last 32)
Best of 19 frames		Round 2 (Last 16)
Best of 25 frames		Quarter-finals
Best of 25 frames		Semi-finals
Best of 33 frames		Final
Best of 35 frames
17 April
 John Higgins (SCO) (1) 10
22, 23 & 24 April
 Gerard Greene (NIR) 2
Scotland John Higgins (1) 13
19 & 20 April
England Mark King (16) 4
 Mark King (ENG) (16) 10
27 & 28 April
 Darren Morgan (WAL) 8
Scotland John Higgins (1) 13
21 & 22 April
England Stephen Lee (9) 6
 Stephen Lee (ENG) (9) 10
25 & 26 April
 John Lardner (SCO) 7
England Stephen Lee (9) 13
21 April
Scotland Alan McManus (8) 7
 Alan McManus (SCO) (8) 10
29, 30 April & 1 May
 Jimmy White (ENG) 7
Scotland John Higgins (1) 10
18 & 19 April
Wales Mark Williams (5) 17
 Mark Williams (WAL) (5) 10
24, 25 & 26 April
 Ian McCulloch (ENG) 4
Wales Mark Williams (5) 13
18 & 19 April
England Nick Walker 7
 Alain Robidoux (CAN) (12) 6
27 & 28 April
 Nick Walker (ENG) 10
Wales Mark Williams (5) 13
17 & 18 April
Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty (4) 9
 Nigel Bond (ENG) (13) 10
23 & 24 April
 Dominic Dale (WAL) 6
England Nigel Bond (13) 11
18 & 19 April
Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty (4) 13
 Ken Doherty (IRL) (4) 10
2 & 3 May
 Steve James (ENG) 3
Wales Mark Williams (5) 11
21 & 22 April
Scotland Stephen Hendry (2) 18
 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) (3) 10
24, 25 & 26 April
 Leo Fernandez (IRL) 3
England Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 13
20 & 21 April
England Joe Perry 8
 Steve Davis (ENG) (14) 9
27 & 28 April
 Joe Perry (ENG) 10
England Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 13
17 & 18 April
England John Parrott (6) 9
 Anthony Hamilton (ENG) (11) 9
22 & 23 April
 Chris Small (SCO) 10
Scotland Chris Small 12
17 & 18 April
England John Parrott (6) 13
 John Parrott (ENG) (6) 10
29, 30 April & 1 May
 Terry Murphy (NIR) 8
England Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 13
19 April
Scotland Stephen Hendry (2) 17
 Peter Ebdon (ENG) (7) 7
23 & 24 April
 Matthew Stevens (WAL) 10
Wales Matthew Stevens 13
17 & 18 April
Malta Tony Drago (10) 8
 Tony Drago (MLT) (10) 10
27 & 28 April
 Fergal O'Brien (IRL) 4
Wales Matthew Stevens 5
19 & 20 April
Scotland Stephen Hendry (2) 13
 James Wattana (THA) (15) 10
25 & 26 April
 Marco Fu (HKG) 8
Thailand James Wattana (15) 7
20 & 21 April
Scotland Stephen Hendry (2) 13
 Stephen Hendry (SCO) (2) 10
 Paul Hunter (ENG) 8

Final: frame scores

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Final: (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 2 and 3 May 1999
Referee: Colin Brinded[60]
Mark Williams (5)
 Wales		 11–18 Stephen Hendry (2)
 Scotland
Session 1: 3–5 (3–5)
Frame 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Williams 47 6 16 60 (56) 75† 16 73† 92† (86) N/A N/A
Hendry 82† (62) 120† (98) 51† 77† (77) 0 101† (86) 16 24 N/A N/A
Session 2: 3–5 (6–10)
Frame 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Williams 24 15 65† 4 75† (64) 67† 22 23 N/A N/A
Hendry 77† (77) 76† (76) 20 133† (132) 49 30 64† 100† (92) N/A N/A
Session 3: 3–5 (9–15)
Frame 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Williams 85† (85) 72† (72) 0 84† 10 13 62 48 N/A N/A
Hendry 51 32 78† (78) 29 106† (106) 71† (55) 75† (53) 60† N/A N/A
Session 4: 2–3 (11–18)
Frame 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Williams 45 29 89† (89) 73† 40 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hendry 72† (66) 71† (62) 0 67 88† (88) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
(frame 27) 89 Highest break 132 (frame 12)
0 Century breaks 2
6 50+ breaks 15
Scotland Stephen Hendry wins the 1999 World Snooker Championship[18]

† = Winner of frame

Qualifying results

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There were five pre-qualifying rounds and nine qualifying rounds.[64] The final three qualifying rounds were held at Telford International Centre from 29 March to 2 April.[65][28]

Round 3
Best of 19 frames		Round 4
Best of 19 frames		Round 5
Best of 19 frames		Round 6
Best of 19 frames		Round 7
Best of 19 frames		Round 8
Best of 19 frames		Round 9
Best of 19 frames
Wales Ryan Day10England Paul Davison10England Lee Richardson10Northern Ireland Gerard Greene10
England Neil Selman5Wales Ryan Day6England Paul Davison4England Lee Richardson3Northern Ireland Gerard Greene10Northern Ireland Gerard Greene10
England Barry Hawkins10England Barry Hawkins10England Alfie Burden10England Alfie Burden10England Alfie Burden8England Andy Hicks2
England Sean Lanigan3Republic of Ireland Micky Roughan3England Barry Hawkins4New Zealand Dene O'Kane4
Belgium Bjorn Haneveer10Belgium Bjorn Haneveer10Belgium Bjorn Haneveer10England Nick Pearce10
England Steve Harrison5England Adrian Rosa3England Stefan Mazrocis9Belgium Bjorn Haneveer7England Nick Pearce10Wales Darren Morgan10
Republic of Ireland Colm Gilcreest10Republic of Ireland Colm Gilcreest10England Gary Ponting10England Gary Ponting10England Gary Ponting7England Nick Pearce9
Republic of Ireland David McDonnell4England Eddie Manning4Republic of Ireland Colm Gilcreest7England David Roe5
England Damian Massey10England Damian Massey10Scotland John Lardner10Scotland John Lardner10
England Grant Conquest6Wales Philip Williams8England Damian Massey4England Neal Foulds5Scotland John Lardner10Scotland John Lardner10
England Stuart Bingham10England Stuart Bingham10England Stuart Bingham10England Stuart Bingham10Australia Quinten Hann10Australia Quinten Hann8England Martin Clark2
Republic of Ireland Joe Delaney5Scotland Alan Burnett6Scotland Martin Dziewialtowski6Australia Shawn Budd4England Stuart Bingham8
Finland Robin Hull10Finland Robin Hull10Finland Robin Hull10Finland Robin Hull10England Joe Johnson10
England Brian Rowswell8Republic of Ireland Stephen Murphy4Australia Peter McCullagh8Canada Tom Finstad0Finland Robin Hull7England Joe Johnson5England Jimmy White10
England Nick Dyson10England Nick Dyson10England John Read10England Dean Reynolds10England Dean Reynolds10England Dean Reynolds7
Thailand Tai Pichit5England Oliver King9England Nick Dyson4England John Read4
England Barry Pinches10England Barry Pinches10England Barry Pinches10England Barry Pinches10England Ian McCulloch10
England Jeff Cundy3England Jason Weston6Wales Anthony Davies2Mauritius Richard Somauroo3England Barry Pinches9England Ian McCulloch10England Ian McCulloch10
Iceland Kristjan Helgason10Iceland Kristjan Helgason10England Troy Shaw10England Peter Lines10England Peter Lines6England Gary Wilkinson9
England Ali Carter6England Simon Bedford8Iceland Kristjan Helgason7England Troy Shaw8
England Rory McLeod10England Rory McLeod10England Nick Walker10England Nick Walker10
England Marc Farnsworth7England Barry Mapstone7England Rory McLeod6Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor3England Nick Walker10England Nick Walker10
England Jamie Bodle10England Nick Terry10England Nick Terry10England Rod Lawler10England Rod Lawler8Scotland Jamie Burnett6
England Richard Jones8England Jamie Bodle6England Stuart Pettman6England Nick Terry3
England Malcolm Bilclough10Scotland Chris Shade10Scotland Chris Shade10England Mark Davis10
Germany Mike Henson7England Malcolm Bilclough7England Wayne Brown2Scotland Chris Shade4England Mark Davis5Wales Dominic Dale10
England Shailesh Jogia10England Shailesh Jogia10England Leigh Griffin10England Leigh Griffin10England Leigh Griffin10England Leigh Griffin6
Canada Bob Chaperon6England Jason Wallace4England Shailesh Jogia5Wales Lee Walker6
China Guo Hua10England Craig Harrison10England Craig Harrison10England Steve James10
England Stuart Mann3China Guo Hua8Wales Wayne Jones7England Craig Harrison5England Steve James10England Steve James10
Wales Ian Sargeant10England Munraj Pal10Scotland Craig MacGillivray10Scotland Craig MacGillivray10Scotland Craig MacGillivray5Scotland Billy Snaddon6
England Surinder Gill6Wales Ian Sargeant8England Munraj Pal7Wales Tony Chappel8
Australia Neil Robertson10Republic of Ireland Leo Fernandez10Republic of Ireland Leo Fernandez10Republic of Ireland Leo Fernandez10
Australia Johl Younger8Australia Neil Robertson5England Steve Judd5England Paul Davies9Republic of Ireland Leo Fernandez10Republic of Ireland Leo Fernandez10
Scotland Stephen Maguire10Scotland Stephen Maguire10Scotland Stephen Maguire10Scotland Stephen Maguire10England Bradley Jones10England Bradley Jones9England Brian Morgan5
England Adrian Gunnell6Wales Mark Fenton9England Sean Storey8Thailand Phaitoon Phonbun7Scotland Stephen Maguire7
England Mark Johnston-Allen10England Mark Johnston-Allen10England Joe Perry10England Joe Perry10
England John Burns6England Anthony Bolsover5England Mark Johnston-Allen4Republic of Ireland Mick Price8England Joe Perry10England Joe Perry10
England Eddie Barker10England Nigel Gilbert10England Nigel Gilbert10England Nigel Gilbert10England Nigel Gilbert6England Dave Harold7
Singapore Keith Boon8England Eddie Barker9England Ian Brumby7Northern Ireland Joe Swail9
Scotland Gary Thomson10Northern Ireland Patrick Wallace10England David Finbow10England David Finbow10
Northern Ireland Dermot McGlinchey7Scotland Gary Thomson8Northern Ireland Patrick Wallace3Northern Ireland Jason Prince5England David Finbow10Scotland Chris Small10
Scotland Geoff Dunn10Scotland Paul McPhillips10Scotland Paul McPhillips10Scotland Drew Henry10Scotland Drew Henry8England David Finbow2
England Paul Cavney3Scotland Geoff Dunn9England Jimmy Michie6Scotland Paul McPhillips6
England Avtar Sohanpal10England Tony Knowles10England Tony Knowles10Republic of Ireland Michael Judge10
England Mike Dunn9England Avtar Sohanpal7Scotland Marcus Campbell5England Tony Knowles4Republic of Ireland Michael Judge10Northern Ireland Terry Murphy10
Belgium Patrick Delsemme10Belgium Patrick Delsemme10Belgium Patrick Delsemme10Belgium Mario Geudens10Belgium Mario Geudens10Belgium Mario Geudens6Republic of Ireland Michael Judge9
England Darren Hackeson6Scotland Hugh Abernethy5England Karl Burrows9Belgium Patrick Delsemme8England Tony Jones6
Canada Kirk Stevens10Malta Joe Grech10Malta Joe Grech10England Jonathan Birch10
England Gary Lees8Canada Kirk Stevens6England Karl Payne6Malta Joe Grech2England Jonathan Birch10Wales Matthew Stevens10
England John Whitty10England John Whitty10Republic of Ireland Stephen O'Connor10Republic of Ireland Stephen O'Connor10Republic of Ireland Stephen O'Connor7England Jonathan Birch6
Cyprus Mehmet Husnu8Wales James Reynolds8England John Whitty8England David Gray5
England Les Dodd10England Darryn Walker10England Chris Scanlon10England Chris Scanlon10
England John Giles8England Les Dodd8England Darryn Walker9Pakistan Shokat Ali7England Chris Scanlon10Republic of Ireland Fergal O'Brien10
Malaysia Sam Chong10England Paul Sweeny10England Paul Sweeny10England Paul Sweeny10England Paul Sweeny5England Chris Scanlon7
England Paul Clarke3Malaysia Sam Chong5England Mark Bennett6England Willie Thorne0
Wales Gareth Chilcott10Wales Gareth Chilcott10Wales Gareth Chilcott10Hong Kong Marco Fu10Hong Kong Marco Fu10
England Simon Parker4Wales Steve Newbury7Scotland Graham Horne6Wales Gareth Chilcott0England Jason Ferguson1Hong Kong Marco Fu10Hong Kong Marco Fu10
England Mike Hallett10England Robert Milkins10England Robert Milkins10England Robert Milkins10England Robert Milkins4Scotland Graeme Dott4
England Andy Neck4England Mike Hallett7England Mark Gray6England Karl Broughton6
England Craig Roper10Scotland David McLellan10England Matthew Couch10Scotland Euan Henderson10
England Mark Miller5England Craig Roper7Scotland David McLellan5England Matthew Couch6Scotland Euan Henderson10England Paul Hunter10
England Matt Wilson10England Michael Holt10England Michael Holt10England Paul Wykes10England Paul Wykes8Scotland Euan Henderson5
England Stuart Reardon5England Matt Wilson7England Darren Clarke7England Michael Holt8

Century breaks

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A total of 53 century breaks were made during the main stage of the tournament.[66] The highest break was a 142 compiled by John Higgins.[22]

References

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  1. 1 2 Everton, Clive (1986). The History of Snooker and Billiards. Haywards Heath: Partridge Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-85225-013-3.
  2. 1 2 Turner, Chris (2008). "World Professional Championship". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Joe Davis, a snooker champion who retired unbeaten, Was 77". The New York Times. 11 July 1978. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Nunns, Hector; Hendon, David. "Full history". WPBSA. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Wright, Joe (30 April 2023). "Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Hendry, O'Sullivan, Davis and the players with the most trophies". The Sporting News. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Halo World Championship". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  7. 1 2 "World Snooker Championship in Sheffield". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 16 August 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Sutcliffe, Steve (3 May 2022). "World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan plays down record-equalling seventh title". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "1989: Davis makes it six". BBC Sport. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Betfred World Championship". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  11. ↑ Millington, Sarah (2 February 2024). "Looking back to 1990: when Stephen Hendry became a snooker champion". News and Star. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Snooker World Records". snooker.org. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "The 1998/99 Season". snooker.org. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  14. ↑ Anstead, Mike (19 January 2006). "Snooker finds sponsor with deep pockets". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  15. ↑ "History of the World Snooker Championship". World Snooker Tour. 2 March 2011. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "Embassy World Championship 1998". snooker.org. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Embassy World Championship 1999". snooker.org. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "World Championship Qualifiers (1999)". snooker.org. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Downer 2026, pp. 48–49.
  21. ↑ Downer 2026, p. 172.
  22. 1 2 "World Championship 1999". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Downer 2026, pp. 258–269.
  24. 1 2 3 "World Championship 1999". Archived from the original on 10 March 2011.
  25. ↑ Johnson, Martin (5 December 1998). "Crucible awaits the claw". The Daily Telegraph. p. S7 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Snooker". The Guardian. 15 December 1998. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. 1 2 Yates, Phil (30 March 1999). "It's the end of the world for Hallett". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yates, Phil (May 1999). "Golden oldies bow out". Snooker Scene. pp. 12–14.
  29. ↑ Stone-Lee, Ollie (30 March 1999). "Reynolds' jail break". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ Dee, John (31 March 1999). "Reynolds strikes in jail time". The Daily Telegraph. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Yates, Phil (May 1999). "Walker leads 9–0, wins 10–8". Snooker Scene. pp. 15–16.
  32. ↑ "Prison life puts Reynolds on right track". The Independent. 2 April 1999. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 3 Yates, Phil (May 1999). "Jimmy White earns 19th trip to the Crucible". Snooker Scene. pp. 17–19.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "In the frame for Sheffield". BBC Sport. 16 April 1999. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  35. ↑ "Higgins head start sees Greene light turn to red". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. 18 April 1999. p. 89. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Snooker: Parrott has to battle past qualifier". The Independent. 19 April 1999. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Snooker: Jimmy Robertson sets single-frame record of 178 points in win over Lee Walker". Irish Examiner. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  38. 1 2 3 4 "Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 April 1999. p. 46. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ Downer 2026, p. 223.
  40. 1 2 3 Dee, John (20 April 1999). "Doherty misses out on maximum". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 37. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd". The Daily Telegraph. London. 20 April 1999. p. 37. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. 1 2 3 "Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 April 1999. p. 43. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dee, John (24 April 1999). "Parrott victory hands White his place in top 16". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 109. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. 1 2 3 "World Snooker results". BBC Sport. 3 May 1999. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  45. 1 2 3 Dee, John (22 April 1999). "Davis and White feel blue but Hendry goes through". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 45. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. 1 2 3 Dee, John (23 April 1999). "King bows the knee as Higgins helps himself". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 41. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. 1 2 "Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—2nd rd". The Daily Telegraph. London. 26 April 1999. p. 46. Retrieved 10 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. 1 2 3 4 Dee, John (26 April 1999). "Wattana keeps up with Hendry". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 42. Retrieved 10 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. 1 2 3 4 Dee, John (27 April 1999). "Hendry and Lee complete march into quarter-finals". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 38. Retrieved 10 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ Dee, John (28 April 1999). "Hot Higgins chalks up rare treble". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 41. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. 1 2 3 4 "O'Sullivan and Williams reach semis". BBC Sport. 28 April 1999. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  52. 1 2 "Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—Qtr-finals". The Daily Telegraph. London. 29 April 1999. p. 45. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 Dee, John (29 April 1999). "Famous four are the elite, says Parrott". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 45. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "Crucible springs a leak to stop play". South Wales Evening Post. Swansea. 30 April 1999. p. 30. Retrieved 16 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ Caulfield, David (19 April 2025). "What is the Crucible Curse? A history of sorcery in Sheffield". SnookerHQ. Archived from the original on 13 June 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  56. ↑ "Welsh wonder into final". BBC Sport. 1 May 1999. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  57. ↑ "Hendry moves ahead". BBC Sport. 30 April 1999. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  58. ↑ "Hendry to face Williams in final". BBC Sport. 2 May 1999. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  59. ↑ Dee, John (3 May 1999). "Hendry on course for record win". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 39. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. 1 2 "Snooker mourns death of referee". BBC Sport. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  61. 1 2 Dee, John (4 May 1999). "Hendry realises his ambition of seven titles at the Crucible". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 40. Retrieved 12 September 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Seventh title for Hendry". BBC Sport. 4 May 1999. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  63. ↑ Cooper 2023, p. 51.
  64. ↑ Downer 2026, pp. 258–259.
  65. ↑ "Where it's at: 1999". Snooker Scene. March 1999. p. 43.
  66. ↑ Downer 2026, p. 199.

Works cited

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  • Cooper, Brendan (2023). Deep Pockets: Snooker and the Meaning of Life. London: Constable. ISBN 978-1-4087-1777-6.
  • Downer, Chris (2026). Crucible Almanac. 2025 edition. Bournemouth: self-published.
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