1999 World Snooker Championship

Professional snooker tournament August 2025 February 2013 1999 Embassy World Snooker Championship 1999 04 17 1999 05 3 y Crucible Theatre Sheffield England WPBSA Ranking event £1,400,000 £230,000 John Higgins SCO (142) Stephen Hendry SCO Mark Williams WAL 18–11 1998 2000 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. 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 With this win, Hendry superseded Ray Reardon and Steve Davis, who had each won the tournament six times, to become the most successful player in the modern era of the World Championship.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 alt=The Crucible Theatre from outside|thumb|upright=1.1|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).Everton Clive The History of Snooker and Billiards Partridge Press Haywards Heath 1986 978-1-85225-013-3 50Turner Chris World Professional Championship http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html Chris Turner's Snooker Archive 2008 31 March 2024 6 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160606102115/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html dead11 July 1978 Joe Davis, a snooker champion who retired unbeaten, Was 77 https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/11/archives/joe-davis-a-snooker-champion-who-retired-unbeaten-was-77.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20231022194142/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/11/archives/joe-davis-a-snooker-champion-who-retired-unbeaten-was-77.html 22 October 2023 31 March 2024 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 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. 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".Nunns Hector Hendon David Full history https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/full-history/ WPBSA 31 March 2024 31 March 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240331092827/https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/full-history/ liveWright Joe Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Hendry, O'Sullivan, Davis and the players with the most trophies https://www.sportingnews.com/us/snooker/news/most-world-snooker-championship-titles-hendry-osullivan-davis-trophies/joqsk1qyc3vivgpfptced4rl The Sporting News 30 April 2023 31 March 2024 14 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240114220848/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/snooker/news/most-world-snooker-championship-titles-hendry-osullivan-davis-trophies/joqsk1qyc3vivgpfptced4rl live The 1977 edition was the first staged at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where it has remained since.Halo World Championship https://www.wst.tv/worldchampionship World Snooker Tour 10 April 2024 10 April 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240410053119/https://www.wst.tv/cazooworldchampionship/ liveWorld Snooker Championship in Sheffield https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/headline-events/world-snooker-championship/ Sheffield City Council 31 March 2024 16 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250816104322/https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/headline-events/world-snooker-championship/ live 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.World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan plays down record-equalling seventh title https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61301395 Sutcliffe Steve BBC Sport 3 May 2022 29 March 2024 22 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231022211824/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61301395 livehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1921334.stm 1989: Davis makes it six 12 April 2002 BBC Sport 11 September 2025Betfred World Championship World Snooker 27 March 2022 https://wst.tv/tournaments/betfred-world-championship/ 14 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210514143520/https://wst.tv/tournaments/betfred-world-championship/ dead Hendry was also the tournament's youngest winner, having captured his first title at the 1990 event, aged 1969-01-13 1990-04-29 and.Millington Sarah Looking back to 1990: when Stephen Hendry became a snooker champion https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24091190.looking-back-1990-stephen-hendry-became-snooker-champion/ News and Star 2 February 2024 31 March 2024 31 March 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240331125625/https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24091190.looking-back-1990-stephen-hendry-became-snooker-champion/ live en Reardon was the oldest winner, having secured his sixth title at the 1978 event, aged 1932-10-08 1978-04-29 and.Snooker World Records https://www.snooker.org/plr/records.shtml snooker.org 6 May 2025 Overview 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.https://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/ The 1998/99 Season snooker.org 11 September 2025 It was sponsored by cigarette brand Embassy.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jan/19/snooker.gdnsport31 Snooker finds sponsor with deep pockets The Guardian Mike Anstead 19 January 2006 1 September 2025 25 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160325161804/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jan/19/snooker.gdnsport31 live 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.History of the World Snooker Championship http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/BetfredcomWorldChampionshipTournamentsArticle/0,,13165~2306123,00.html World Snooker Tour 2 March 2011 31 March 2024 29 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195714/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/BetfredcomWorldChampionshipTournamentsArticle/0,,13165~2306123,00.html deadEmbassy World Championship http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 Snooker Scene 31 March 2024 24 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071753/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 dead 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.https://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/wc98_res.shtml Embassy World Championship 1998 snooker.org 11 September 2025 Format 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.https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1591 World Championship Qualifiers (1999) snooker.org 9 September 2025 First-round matches were played as the best of 19 frame frames, held over two session 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.Downer 2026 48–49 Prize fund The winner received £230,000 from a total prize fund of £1,400,000. The breakdown of prize money is shown below:Downer 2026 172Embassy World Championship 1999 http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/wc99_res.shtml snooker.org 10 September 2025 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 Qualifying There were fourteen rounds of qualifying matches.Downer 2026 258–269 The first six rounds of qualifying were played at Hazel Grove Snooker Club, Stockport, from 11 to 15 December 1998.World Championship 1999 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1999.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20110310182337/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1999.asp 10 March 2011 dead The first five rounds were the best of 9 frames and round six was the best of 11.Downer 2026 258–269 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.Downer 2026 258–269Johnson Martin Crucible awaits the claw The Daily Telegraph 5 December 1998 S7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/198373024/ Newspapers.com 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.Snooker The Guardian 15 December 1998 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/198373288/ Newspapers.com Rounds 7 to 11 took place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, from 14 to 21 January 1999 as best-of-19-frame matches.Downer 2026 258–269 Mike Hallett recovered from 0–8 down against Kyndon Paddon in round seven to win 10–9, then beat Andy Neck 10–4.Yates Phil It's the end of the world for Hallett Grimsby Evening Telegraph 30 March 1999 36 https://www.newspapers.com/article/grimsby-evening-telegraph/198375691/ Newspapers.com 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. Rounds 12 to 14 were played at Telford International Centre from 29 March to 2 April, as the best of 19 frames.Downer 2026 258–269 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".12 His manager received over 3,000 letters from fans asking Taylor to continue playing. Willie Thorne experienced his heaviest defeat as a professional in his 24-year career, beaten 0–10 by Paul Sweeney. Former world number two Tony Knowles lost 4–10 to Michael Judge. The 1986 winner Joe Johnson recovered from 2–5 down against Robin Hull to win 10–7. 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. 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.Stone-Lee Ollie Reynolds' jail break Grimsby Evening Telegraph 30 March 1999 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/grimsby-evening-telegraph/198374838/ Newspapers.comDee John Reynolds strikes in jail time The Daily Telegraph 31 March 1999 45 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/198374421/ Newspapers.com 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.Yates Phil Walker leads 9–0, wins 10–8 Snooker Scene May 1999 15–16 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. He went on to defeat Gary Ponting 10–7. Bradley Jones mistakenly pot potted a red ball red again after potting the penultimate red when level at 7–7 with Leo Fernandez. The seven-point penalty left him snookers required needing snookers in that frame; he lost the match 9–10. Fu compiled ten breaks of 50 or more in his 10–4 defeat of Milkins. Reynolds beat Johnson 10–5.Prison life puts Reynolds on right track The Independent 2 April 1999 29 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/198375031/ Newspapers.com Six-time runner-up Jimmy White defeated Reynolds 10–7 in the 14th round to confirm his 19th consecutive appearance at the main event.Yates Phil Jimmy White earns 19th trip to the Crucible Snooker Scene May 1999 17–19 Graeme Dott made a total clearance of 141 in the first frame of his match against Fu, but Fu won 10–4. Paul Hunter qualified for the first time by defeating Gary Wilkinson in the deciding frame of their match. First round The first round was played between 17 and 22 April as the best of 19 frames held over two session sessions.Downer 2026 48–49https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/321215.stm In the frame for Sheffield 16 April 1999 BBC Sport 8 September 2025 The defending champion, John Higgins, had earned more than £400,000 in prize money during the season. After his opponent, Gerard Greene, made a 95 break to trail 1–2, Higgins won six consecutive frames for an 8–1 lead.https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-mercury-higgins-head-start-sees-g/180722064/ Higgins head start sees Greene light turn to red Sunday Mercury Birmingham 89 18 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 He went on to win 10–2. Nigel Bond, who had not reached the quarter-finals of any ranking event during the season, 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 ball red plus 44 penalty points from eleven miss misses plus a 122 break, which set a record for the highest number of total points scored in a single frame during professional competition.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker-parrott-has-to-battle-past-qualifier-1088257.html Snooker: Parrott has to battle past qualifier The Independent 19 April 1999 11 September 2025 The record stood until 2021, when it was broken by Jimmy Robertson, who scored 178 points in a frame during the Scottish Open.https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/othersport/arid-40761351.html Snooker: Jimmy Robertson sets single-frame record of 178 points in win over Lee Walker Irish Examiner 7 December 2021 11 September 2025 Bond won the match 10–6.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-snooker-embassy-worl/180722637/ Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd The Daily Telegraph London 46 19 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 Facing Fergal O'Brien, Tony Drago had reached the semi-finals of only one ranking tournament that season, the 1998 Irish Open. Drago won the first four frames of the match and went on to secure a 10–4 victory. Anthony Hamilton, runner-up of the 1999 British Open during the season, lost a deciding frame against Chris Small. John Parrott, champion in 1991, was tied at 8–8 with Terry Murphy, but took the last two frames of the match for victory. 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 TheatreDowner 2026 223 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-doherty-misses-out-o/180723221/ Doherty misses out on maximum The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 37 20 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 Walker faced Alain Robidoux, a semi-finalist the previous year. Robidoux took the first frame, but Walker took five in a row and went on to win the match 10–6.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-snooker-embassy-worl/180723347/ Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd The Daily Telegraph London 37 20 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 Matthew Stevens made a 120 break as he took the first four frames of his encounter with Peter Ebdon, runner-up in 1996. Stevens also won the last three of the match for a 10–7 victory. thumb|alt=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, built a 5–4 lead against Marco Fu. 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-snooker-embassy-worl/180723419/ Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—1st rd The Daily Telegraph London 43 21 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-parrott-victory-hand/180722194/ Parrott victory hands White his place in top 16 The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 109 24 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 Mark Williams, a semi-finalist the previous year, defeated McCulloch 10–4. Six-time World Champion Stephen Hendry, who had won the 1999 Irish Masters and the 1999 Scottish Open during the season, led Hunter 5–4. 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-davis-and-white-feel/180723527/ Davis and White feel blue but Hendry goes through The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 45 22 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 Joe Perry had a five-frame advantage at 7–2 over Steve Davis, winner of the event in 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988 and 1989. 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. Having reached the Crucible as a qualifier, White faced Alan McManus, runner-up at the season's 1999 Irish Open and 1999 Thailand Masters. Although White won three of the first four frames, McManus won the match 10–7. 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 colour ball 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-king-bows-the-knee-a/180723657/ King bows the knee as Higgins helps himself The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 41 23 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 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. 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. Second round thumb|alt=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.Downer 2026 48–49 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. 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.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/322988.stm World Snooker results 3 May 1999 BBC Sport 8 September 2025 Stevens made breaks of 79, 73, 72, 62, 60 and 53 as he took a 6–2 lead over Drago. Drago won four of the next six, but Stevens later took three consecutive frames to win 13–8.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-snooker-embassy-worl/180790074/ Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—2nd rd The Daily Telegraph London 46 26 April 1999 Newspapers.com 10 September 2025 Bond led Doherty 10–6 and 11–10, but Doherty won three frames in a row to secure victory. 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 ball pink, but then missed the black ball black, which Wattana potted to tie the scores at 4–4.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-wattana-keeps-up-wit/180789037/ Wattana keeps up with Hendry The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 42 26 April 1999 Newspapers.com 10 September 2025 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-hendry-and-lee-compl/180789196/ Hendry and Lee complete march into quarter-finals The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 38 27 April 1999 Newspapers.com 10 September 2025 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. "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. Aided by breaks of 49, 89 and 128, Lee won the first three frames against McManus. McManus won the fourth. In the fifth, McManus snookers required 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. 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. Walker was tied with Williams at 6–6, but Williams ended the first day of play 9–7 ahead. 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. Quarter-finals The quarter-finals were played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 27 and 28 April.Downer 2026 48–49 Higgins faced Lee. For a second consecutive match, Higgins won all eight frames in the first session.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-hot-higgins-chalks-u/180789972/ Hot Higgins chalks up rare treble The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 41 28 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 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. Lee then made a 110 break to win frame 17, but Higgins made a century break of his own as he won 13–6.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-snooker-embassy-worl/180851429/ Snooker Embassy World Ch'ship (Sheffield).—Qtr-finals The Daily Telegraph London 45 29 April 1999 Newspapers.com 11 September 2025 O'Sullivan faced Parrott, who was making his 11th appearance in the World Championship quarter-finals. 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. "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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-famous-four-are-the/180799832/ Famous four are the elite, says Parrott The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 45 29 April 1999 Newspapers.com 9 September 2025 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."https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/330386.stm O'Sullivan and Williams reach semis 28 April 1999 BBC Sport 10 September 2025 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. "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. 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. "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. Semi-finals thumb|alt=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.Downer 2026 48–49 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. 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. 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-springs/181159522/ Crucible springs a leak to stop play South Wales Evening Post Swansea 30 30 April 1999 Newspapers.com 16 September 2025 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. 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'.https://snookerhq.com/2025/04/19/curse-of-the-crucible-history-sorcery-sheffield/ What is the Crucible Curse? A history of sorcery in Sheffield SnookerHQ David Caulfield 19 April 2025 11 September 2025 13 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250613040420/https://snookerhq.com/2025/04/19/curse-of-the-crucible-history-sorcery-sheffield/ live "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.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/333156.stm Welsh wonder into final 1 May 1999 BBC Sport 11 September 2025 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. Hendry made breaks of 126, 82 and 86 to lead 3–0, with O'Sullivan still to pot a ball.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/331809.stm Hendry moves ahead 30 April 1999 BBC Sport 11 September 2025 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. Clive Everton praised the match as "one of the best" ever in the World Championship.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/333539.stm Hendry to face Williams in final 2 May 1999 BBC Sport 11 September 2025 Final thumb|alt=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.Downer 2026 48–49 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-hendry-on-course-for/180851850/ Hendry on course for record win The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 39 3 May 1999 Newspapers.com 11 September 2025 Referee Colin Brinded officiated the match. 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. 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.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-hendry-realises-his/180909748/ Hendry realises his ambition of seven titles at the Crucible The Daily Telegraph John Dee London 40 4 May 1999 Newspapers.com 12 September 2025 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.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/334491.stm Seventh title for Hendry 4 May 1999 BBC Sport 12 September 2025 "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. 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."Cooper 2023 51 Main draw 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. high numbered auto Round 1 (Last 32)Best of 19 frames Round 2 (Last 16)Best of 25 frames Quarter-finalsBest of 25 frames Semi-finalsBest of 33 frames FinalBest of 35 frames 17 April John Higgins SCO (1) player seeding 10 Gerard Greene NIR 2 19 & 20 April Mark King ENG (16) player seeding 10 Darren Morgan WAL 8 21 & 22 April Stephen Lee ENG (9) player seeding 10 John Lardner SCO 7 21 April Alan McManus SCO (8) player seeding 10 Jimmy White ENG 7 18 & 19 April Mark Williams WAL (5) player seeding 10 Ian McCulloch ENG 4 18 & 19 April Alain Robidoux CAN (12) player seeding 6 Nick Walker ENG 10 17 & 18 April Nigel Bond ENG (13) player seeding 10 Dominic Dale WAL 6 18 & 19 April Ken Doherty IRL (4) player seeding 10 Steve James ENG 3 21 & 22 April Ronnie O'Sullivan ENG (3) player seeding 10 Leo Fernandez IRL 3 20 & 21 April Steve Davis ENG (14) player seeding 9 Joe Perry ENG 10 17 & 18 April Anthony Hamilton ENG (11) player seeding 9 Chris Small SCO 10 17 & 18 April John Parrott ENG (6) player seeding 10 Terry Murphy NIR 8 19 April Peter Ebdon ENG (7) player seeding 7 Matthew Stevens WAL 10 17 & 18 April Tony Drago MLT (10) player seeding 10 Fergal O'Brien IRL 4 19 & 20 April James Wattana THA (15) player seeding 10 Marco Fu HKG 8 20 & 21 April Stephen Hendry SCO (2) player seeding 10 Paul Hunter ENG 8 22, 23 & 24 April SCO John Higgins (1) player seeding 13 ENG Mark King (16) player seeding 4 25 & 26 April ENG Stephen Lee (9) player seeding 13 SCO Alan McManus (8) player seeding 7 24, 25 & 26 April WAL Mark Williams (5) player seeding 13 ENG Nick Walker 7 23 & 24 April ENG Nigel Bond (13) player seeding 11 IRL Ken Doherty (4) player seeding 13 24, 25 & 26 April ENG Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) player seeding 13 ENG Joe Perry 8 22 & 23 April SCO Chris Small 12 ENG John Parrott (6) player seeding 13 23 & 24 April WAL Matthew Stevens 13 MLT Tony Drago (10) player seeding 8 25 & 26 April THA James Wattana (15) player seeding 7 SCO Stephen Hendry (2) player seeding 13 27 & 28 April SCO John Higgins (1) player seeding 13 ENG Stephen Lee (9) player seeding 6 27 & 28 April WAL Mark Williams (5) player seeding 13 IRL Ken Doherty (4) player seeding 9 27 & 28 April ENG Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) player seeding 13 ENG John Parrott (6) player seeding 9 27 & 28 April WAL Matthew Stevens 5 SCO Stephen Hendry (2) player seeding 13 29, 30 April & 1 May SCO John Higgins (1) player seeding 10 WAL Mark Williams (5) player seeding 17 29, 30 April & 1 May ENG Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) player seeding 13 SCO Stephen Hendry (2) player seeding 17 2 & 3 May WAL Mark Williams (5) player seeding 11 SCO Stephen Hendry (2) player seeding 18 Final: frame scores (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 2 and 3 May 1999Referee: Colin Brindedhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4475596.stm Snooker mourns death of referee 30 November 2005 BBC Sport 11 September 2025 Mark Williams (5) player seeding 1118 Stephen Hendry (2) player seeding 35 (35) 35 (610) 35 (915) 23 (1118) (frame 27) 89 132 (frame 12) 0 2 6 15 SCO Stephen Hendry wins the 1999 World Snooker Championship Williams Hendry 47 6 16 60 (56) 75 16 73 92 (86) 24 15 65 4 75 (64) 67 22 23 N/A 85 (85) 72 (72) 0 84 10 13 62 48 45 29 89 (89) 73 40 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 82 (62) 120 (98) 51 77 (77) 0 101 (86) 16 24 77 (77) 76 (76) 20 133 (132) 49 30 64 100 (92) N/A 51 32 78 (78) 29 106 (106) 71 (55) 75 (53) 60 72 (66) 71 (62) 0 67 88 (88) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Qualifying results There were five pre-qualifying rounds and nine qualifying rounds.Downer 2026 258–259 The final three qualifying rounds were held at Telford International Centre from 29 March to 2 April.Where it's at: 1999 Snooker Scene March 1999 43 Yates Phil Golden oldies bow out Snooker Scene May 1999 12–14 high 7 16 auto 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 no yes yes Round 3Best of 19 frames Round 4Best of 19 frames Round 5Best of 19 frames Round 6Best of 19 frames Round 7Best of 19 frames Round 8Best of 19 frames Round 9Best of 19 frames WAL Ryan Day 10 ENG Neil Selman 5 ENG Barry Hawkins 10 ENG Sean Lanigan 3 BEL Bjorn Haneveer 10 ENG Steve Harrison 5 IRL Colm Gilcreest 10 IRL David McDonnell 4 ENG Damian Massey 10 ENG Grant Conquest 6 ENG Stuart Bingham 10 IRL Joe Delaney 5 FIN Robin Hull 10 ENG Brian Rowswell 8 ENG Nick Dyson 10 THA Tai Pichit 5 ENG Barry Pinches 10 ENG Jeff Cundy 3 ISL Kristjan Helgason 10 ENG Ali Carter 6 ENG Rory McLeod 10 ENG Marc Farnsworth 7 ENG Jamie Bodle 10 ENG Richard Jones 8 ENG Malcolm Bilclough 10 GER Mike Henson 7 ENG Shailesh Jogia 10 CAN Bob Chaperon 6 CHN Guo Hua 10 ENG Stuart Mann 3 WAL Ian Sargeant 10 ENG Surinder Gill 6 AUS Neil Robertson 10 AUS Johl Younger 8 SCO Stephen Maguire 10 ENG Adrian Gunnell 6 ENG Mark Johnston-Allen 10 ENG John Burns 6 ENG Eddie Barker 10 SGP Keith Boon 8 SCO Gary Thomson 10 NIR Dermot McGlinchey 7 SCO Geoff Dunn 10 ENG Paul Cavney 3 ENG Avtar Sohanpal 10 ENG Mike Dunn 9 BEL Patrick Delsemme 10 ENG Darren Hackeson 6 CAN Kirk Stevens 10 ENG Gary Lees 8 ENG John Whitty 10 CYP Mehmet Husnu 8 ENG Les Dodd 10 ENG John Giles 8 MYS Sam Chong 10 ENG Paul Clarke 3 WAL Gareth Chilcott 10 ENG Simon Parker 4 ENG Mike Hallett 10 ENG Andy Neck 4 ENG Craig Roper 10 ENG Mark Miller 5 ENG Matt Wilson 10 ENG Stuart Reardon 5 ENG Paul Davison 10 WAL Ryan Day 6 ENG Barry Hawkins 10 IRL Micky Roughan 3 BEL Bjorn Haneveer 10 ENG Adrian Rosa 3 IRL Colm Gilcreest 10 ENG Eddie Manning 4 ENG Damian Massey 10 WAL Philip Williams 8 ENG Stuart Bingham 10 SCO Alan Burnett 6 FIN Robin Hull 10 IRL Stephen Murphy 4 ENG Nick Dyson 10 ENG Oliver King 9 ENG Barry Pinches 10 ENG Jason Weston 6 ISL Kristjan Helgason 10 ENG Simon Bedford 8 ENG Rory McLeod 10 ENG Barry Mapstone 7 ENG Nick Terry 10 ENG Jamie Bodle 6 SCO Chris Shade 10 ENG Malcolm Bilclough 7 ENG Shailesh Jogia 10 ENG Jason Wallace 4 ENG Craig Harrison 10 CHN Guo Hua 8 ENG Munraj Pal 10 WAL Ian Sargeant 8 IRL Leo Fernandez 10 AUS Neil Robertson 5 SCO Stephen Maguire 10 WAL Mark Fenton 9 ENG Mark Johnston-Allen 10 ENG Anthony Bolsover 5 ENG Nigel Gilbert 10 ENG Eddie Barker 9 NIR Patrick Wallace 10 SCO Gary Thomson 8 SCO Paul McPhillips 10 SCO Geoff Dunn 9 ENG Tony Knowles 10 ENG Avtar Sohanpal 7 BEL Patrick Delsemme 10 SCO Hugh Abernethy 5 MLT Joe Grech 10 CAN Kirk Stevens 6 ENG John Whitty 10 WAL James Reynolds 8 ENG Darryn Walker 10 ENG Les Dodd 8 ENG Paul Sweeny 10 MYS Sam Chong 5 WAL Gareth Chilcott 10 WAL Steve Newbury 7 ENG Robert Milkins 10 ENG Mike Hallett 7 SCO David McLellan 10 ENG Craig Roper 7 ENG Michael Holt 10 ENG Matt Wilson 7 ENG Lee Richardson 10 ENG Paul Davison 4 ENG Alfie Burden 10 ENG Barry Hawkins 4 BEL Bjorn Haneveer 10 ENG Stefan Mazrocis 9 ENG Gary Ponting 10 IRL Colm Gilcreest 7 SCO John Lardner 10 ENG Damian Massey 4 ENG Stuart Bingham 10 SCO Martin Dziewialtowski 6 FIN Robin Hull 10 AUS Peter McCullagh 8 ENG John Read 10 ENG Nick Dyson 4 ENG Barry Pinches 10 WAL Anthony Davies 2 ENG Troy Shaw 10 ISL Kristjan Helgason 7 ENG Nick Walker 10 ENG Rory McLeod 6 ENG Nick Terry 10 ENG Stuart Pettman 6 SCO Chris Shade 10 ENG Wayne Brown 2 ENG Leigh Griffin 10 ENG Shailesh Jogia 5 ENG Craig Harrison 10 WAL Wayne Jones 7 SCO Craig MacGillivray 10 ENG Munraj Pal 7 IRL Leo Fernandez 10 ENG Steve Judd 5 SCO Stephen Maguire 10 ENG Sean Storey 8 ENG Joe Perry 10 ENG Mark Johnston-Allen 4 ENG Nigel Gilbert 10 ENG Ian Brumby 7 ENG David Finbow 10 NIR Patrick Wallace 3 SCO Paul McPhillips 10 ENG Jimmy Michie 6 ENG Tony Knowles 10 SCO Marcus Campbell 5 BEL Patrick Delsemme 10 ENG Karl Burrows 9 MLT Joe Grech 10 ENG Karl Payne 6 IRL Stephen O'Connor 10 ENG John Whitty 8 ENG Chris Scanlon 10 ENG Darryn Walker 9 ENG Paul Sweeny 10 ENG Mark Bennett 6 WAL Gareth Chilcott 10 SCO Graham Horne 6 ENG Robert Milkins 10 ENG Mark Gray 6 ENG Matthew Couch 10 SCO David McLellan 5 ENG Michael Holt 10 ENG Darren Clarke 7 ENG Stuart Bingham 10 AUS Shawn Budd 4 FIN Robin Hull 10 CAN Tom Finstad 0 ENG Barry Pinches 10 MUS Richard Somauroo 3 SCO Stephen Maguire 10 THA Phaitoon Phonbun 7 BEL Mario Geudens 10 BEL Patrick Delsemme 8 HKG Marco Fu 10 WAL Gareth Chilcott 0 NIR Gerard Greene 10 ENG Lee Richardson 3 ENG Alfie Burden 10 NZL Dene O'Kane 4 ENG Nick Pearce 10 BEL Bjorn Haneveer 7 ENG Gary Ponting 10 ENG David Roe 5 SCO John Lardner 10 ENG Neal Foulds 5 AUS Quinten Hann 10 ENG Stuart Bingham 8 ENG Joe Johnson 10 FIN Robin Hull 7 ENG Dean Reynolds 10 ENG John Read 4 ENG Ian McCulloch 10 ENG Barry Pinches 9 ENG Peter Lines 10 ENG Troy Shaw 8 ENG Nick Walker 10 NIR Dennis Taylor 3 ENG Rod Lawler 10 ENG Nick Terry 3 ENG Mark Davis 10 SCO Chris Shade 4 ENG Leigh Griffin 10 WAL Lee Walker 6 ENG Steve James 10 ENG Craig Harrison 5 SCO Craig MacGillivray 10 WAL Tony Chappel 8 IRL Leo Fernandez 10 ENG Paul Davies 9 ENG Bradley Jones 10 SCO Stephen Maguire 7 ENG Joe Perry 10 IRL Mick Price 8 ENG Nigel Gilbert 10 NIR Joe Swail 9 ENG David Finbow 10 NIR Jason Prince 5 SCO Drew Henry 10 SCO Paul McPhillips 6 IRL Michael Judge 10 ENG Tony Knowles 4 BEL Mario Geudens 10 ENG Tony Jones 6 ENG Jonathan Birch 10 MLT Joe Grech 2 IRL Stephen O'Connor 10 ENG David Gray 5 ENG Chris Scanlon 10 PAK Shokat Ali 7 ENG Paul Sweeny 10 ENG Willie Thorne 0 HKG Marco Fu 10 ENG Jason Ferguson 1 ENG Robert Milkins 10 ENG Karl Broughton 6 SCO Euan Henderson 10 ENG Matthew Couch 6 ENG Paul Wykes 10 ENG Michael Holt 8 NIR Gerard Greene 10 ENG Alfie Burden 8 ENG Nick Pearce 10 ENG Gary Ponting 7 SCO John Lardner 10 AUS Quinten Hann 8 ENG Joe Johnson 5 ENG Dean Reynolds 10 ENG Ian McCulloch 10 ENG Peter Lines 6 ENG Nick Walker 10 ENG Rod Lawler 8 ENG Mark Davis 5 ENG Leigh Griffin 10 ENG Steve James 10 SCO Craig MacGillivray 5 IRL Leo Fernandez 10 ENG Bradley Jones 9 ENG Joe Perry 10 ENG Nigel Gilbert 6 ENG David Finbow 10 SCO Drew Henry 8 IRL Michael Judge 10 BEL Mario Geudens 6 ENG Jonathan Birch 10 IRL Stephen O'Connor 7 ENG Chris Scanlon 10 ENG Paul Sweeny 5 HKG Marco Fu 10 ENG Robert Milkins 4 SCO Euan Henderson 10 ENG Paul Wykes 8 NIR Gerard Greene 10 ENG Andy Hicks 2 WAL Darren Morgan 10 ENG Nick Pearce 9 SCO John Lardner 10 ENG Martin Clark 2 ENG Jimmy White 10 ENG Dean Reynolds 7 ENG Ian McCulloch 10 ENG Gary Wilkinson 9 ENG Nick Walker 10 SCO Jamie Burnett 6 WAL Dominic Dale 10 ENG Leigh Griffin 6 ENG Steve James 10 SCO Billy Snaddon 6 IRL Leo Fernandez 10 ENG Brian Morgan 5 ENG Joe Perry 10 ENG Dave Harold 7 SCO Chris Small 10 ENG David Finbow 2 NIR Terry Murphy 10 IRL Michael Judge 9 WAL Matthew Stevens 10 ENG Jonathan Birch 6 IRL Fergal O'Brien 10 ENG Chris Scanlon 7 HKG Marco Fu 10 SCO Graeme Dott 4 ENG Paul Hunter 10 SCO Euan Henderson 5 Century breaks A total of 53 century breaks were made during the main stage of the tournament.Downer 2026 199 The highest break was a 142 compiled by John Higgins.World Championship 1999 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1999.asp Global Snooker 3 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110403031746/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1999.asp 3 April 2011 usurped dmy-all 142, 132, 127, 126, 124, 108, 104, 104, 100 John Higgins 140, 123, 109, 104, 101, 100 Mark Williams 137, 108 Tony Drago 137 Steve James 136, 130, 110 James Wattana 135, 134, 122, 120, 110, 105, 100 Ronnie O'Sullivan 133 John Parrott 132, 126, 109, 108, 106, 104, 104, 101 Stephen Hendry 131, 114 Chris Small 128, 110, 104 Stephen Lee 124, 120, 100 Matthew Stevens 122 Dominic Dale 120, 109 Joe Perry 108, 103 Anthony Hamilton 104 Ken Doherty 103, 103 Mark King References 2 Works cited Cooper Brendan Deep Pockets: Snooker and the Meaning of Life 2023 Constable London 978-1-4087-1777-6 Downer Chris Crucible Almanac. 2025 edition 2026 Bournemouth self-published 1999 1999 World Championship World Snooker Championship Category:Sports competitions in Sheffield Category:April 1999 sports events in the United Kingdom Category:May 1999 sports events in the United Kingdom