1998 World Snooker Championship

The 1998 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 1998 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 18 April and 4 May 1998 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.

Embassy World Snooker Championship
Tournament information
Dates18 April – 4 May 1998 (1998-04-18 – 1998-05-04)
VenueCrucible Theatre
CitySheffield
CountryEngland
OrganisationWPBSA
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£1,323,000
Winner's share£220,000
Highest break John Higgins (SCO) (143)
 Jimmy White (ENG) (143)
Final
Champion John Higgins (SCO)
Runner-up Ken Doherty (IRL)
Score18–12
1997
1999

John Higgins won his first World title by defeating defending champion Ken Doherty 18–12 in the final. Doherty became another World Champion who fell to the Crucible curse and could not defend his first World title. However, Doherty has come closer than any other first-time champion bar Joe Johnson to retaining his championship. The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy.

Tournament summary

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Prize fund

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The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:[10][11][13]

  • Winner: £220,000
  • Runner-up: £132,000
  • Semi-final: £66,000
  • Quarter-final: £33,000
  • Last 16: £17,750
  • Last 32: £12,000
  • Highest break £19,000
  • Maximum break £147,000
  • Total £1,323,000

Main draw

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Shown below are the results for each round. The numbers in parentheses beside some of the players are their seeding ranks (each championship has 16 seeds and 16 qualifiers).[10][11][14][15]

First round
Best of 19 frames
Second round
Best of 25 frames
Quarter-finals
Best of 25 frames
Semi-finals
Best of 33 frames
Final
Best of 35 frames
18 April
  Ken Doherty (1)10
24 & 25 April
  Lee Walker8
  Ken Doherty (1)13
22 April
  Stephen Lee (16)8
  Stephen Lee (16)10
28 & 29 April
  Andy Hicks4
  Ken Doherty (1)13
22 & 23 April
  Matthew Stevens10
  Alain Robidoux (9)8
26 & 27 April
  Matthew Stevens10
  Matthew Stevens13
20 & 21 April
  Mark King9
  Nigel Bond (8)5
30 April 1 & 2 May
  Mark King10
  Ken Doherty (1)17
21 April
  Mark Williams (4)14
  Peter Ebdon (5)10
25, 26 & 27
  Terry Murphy3
  Peter Ebdon (5)13
18 & 19 April
  Fergal O'Brien5
  James Wattana (12)9
28 & 29 April
  Fergal O'Brien10
  Peter Ebdon (5)11
19 & 20 April
  Mark Williams (4)13
  Steve Davis (13)10
23, 24 & 25 April
  Simon Bedford6
  Steve Davis (13)6
19 & 20 April
  Mark Williams (4)13
  Mark Williams (4)10
3 & 4 May
  Quinten Hann9
  Ken Doherty (1)12
18 & 19 April
  John Higgins (3)18
  John Higgins (3)10
23 & 24 April
  Jason Ferguson8
  John Higgins (3)13
18 & 19 April
  Anthony Hamilton (14)9
  Anthony Hamilton (14)10
28 & 29 April
  Dave Harold8
  John Higgins (3)13
18 & 19 April
  John Parrott (6)11
  Tony Drago (11)10
24 & 25 April
  Alfie Burden8
  Tony Drago (11)7
20 & 21 April
  John Parrott (6)13
  John Parrott (6)10
30 April 1 & 2 May
  Peter Lines4
  John Higgins (3)17
21 & 22 April
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)9
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)10
26 & 27 April
  Joe Swail5
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)13
20 April
  Alan McManus (10)4
  Alan McManus (10)10
28 & 29 April
  David Gray8
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)13
21 & 22 April
  Jimmy White7
  Darren Morgan (15)10
25 & 26 April
  Jason Prince8
  Darren Morgan (15)3
22 & 23 April
  Jimmy White13
  Stephen Hendry (2)4
  Jimmy White10
Final (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 3 & 4 May 1998. Referee: Lawrie Annandale[16]
Ken Doherty (1)
  Ireland
12–18 John Higgins (3)
  Scotland
73–34, 20–80, 7–86, 1–71, 0–113, 52–73, 0–130, 89–0, 112–0, 66–7, 97–18, 2–66, 4–103, 5–86, 0–138, 82–70, 90–39, 0–89, 61–6, 0–130, 90–0, 99–1, 48–58, 82–44, 14–60, 0–128, 58–71, 78–41, 16–66, 8–119 Century breaks: 6
(Doherty 1, Higgins 5)

Highest break by Doherty: 112
Highest break by Higgins: 130

73–34, 20–80, 7–86, 1–71, 0–113, 52–73, 0–130, 89–0, 112–0, 66–7, 97–18, 2–66, 4–103, 5–86, 0–138, 82–70, 90–39, 0–89, 61–6, 0–130, 90–0, 99–1, 48–58, 82–44, 14–60, 0–128, 58–71, 78–41, 16–66, 8–119
  John Higgins wins the 1998 Embassy World Snooker Championship

Century breaks

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There were 59 century breaks in the championship, a new record which would last until 2002.[10][17][18] John Higgins' 14 centuries in the tournament was a new record, beating the 12 made by Stephen Hendry in 1995.[19]

Qualifying

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The qualifying matches were held between 2 January and March 1998 at the Newport Centre in Newport, Wales.

Round 1–2

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Round 1
(Best of 19 frames)
Round 1
(Best of 19 frames)
Round 2
(Best of 19 frames)
  Leo Fernandez 10–3   Evan Munro
  Robert Milkins 10–2   Michael O'Sullivan
  Philip Williams 10–2   John Burns
  Steve Meakin 10–7   Neal Tomkins
  Brian Rowswell 10–7   Sean Lanigan
  Joe Jogia 10–8   Hugh Abernethy
  Jeff Cundy 10–7   Dylan Leary
  Chris Shade 10–3   Nick Manning
  Bjorn Haneveer 10–6   James McGouran
  Ali Carter 10–8   Scott Cooney
  Surinder Gill 10–5   Stuart Parnell
  Stuart Reardon10–8   Jason Weston
  Barry Pinches 10–3   Mario Geudens
  Nic Barrow 10–4   Mario Wehrmann
  Nick Terry 10–6   Leigh Robinson
  Garry Baldrey 10–8   Graham Horne
  Simon Bedford 10–4   Justin Buckingham
  Mark Johnston-Allen 10–5   Joe O'Boye
  Jason Wallace 10–9   Andrew Cairns
  Oliver King 10–7   Robin Hull
  Joe Delaney 10–4   Ryan Mitchell
  Gary Lees 10–6   Paul McPhillips
  Munraj Pal 10–8   Les Dodd
  Christopher McGee 10–6   Lee Mallin
  Adrian Rosa 10–9   Darryn Walker
  Stuart Bingham 10–1   Ian Hurdman
  Marco Fu 10–5   Paul Sweeny
  Mike Hallett 10–4   Garoid O'Connor
  Andrew Higginson 10–6   David McDonnell
  Simon Parker 10–4   Stephen Murphy
  Ian Sargeant 10–8   Steve Day
  Andy Neck 10–5   David Coles
Round 1
(Best of 19 frames)
  Leo Fernandez 10–8   Robert Milkins
  Philip Williams 10–6   Steve Meakin
  Brian Rowswell 10–4   Joe Jogia
  Jeff Cundy 10–9   Chris Shade
  Bjorn Haneveer 10–5   Ali Carter
  Surinder Gill 10–4   Stuart Reardon
  Barry Pinches 10–3   Nic Barrow
  Nick Terry 10–1   Garry Baldrey
  Simon Bedford 10–6   Mark Johnston-Allen
  Jason Wallace 10–4   Oliver King
  Joe Delaney 10–8   Gary Lees
  Munraj Pal 10–4   Christopher McGee
  Adrian Rosa 10–7   Stuart Bingham
  Marco Fu 10–2   Mike Hallett
  Andrew Higginson 10–6   Simon Parker
  Ian Sargeant 10–0   Andy Neck

Round 2–3

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[11]

Round 2
(Best of 19 frames)
Round 3
(Best of 19 frames)
  Leo Fernandez 10–6   Philip Williams   Leigh Griffin 10–7   Leo Fernandez
  Brian Rowswell 10–9   Jeff Cundy   John Lardner 10–5   Brian Rowswell
  Bjorn Haneveer 10–5   Surinder Gill   Bjorn Haneveer 10–5   Troy Shaw
  Barry Pinches 10–2   Nick Terry   Joe Perry 10–7   Barry Pinches
  Simon Bedford 10–2   Jason Wallace   Simon Bedford 10–9   Mark Gray
  Joe Delaney 10–8   Munraj Pal   Joe Delaney 10–1   Peter McCullagh
  Adrian Rosa 10–8   Marco Fu   David Gray 10–5   Adrian Rosa
  Andrew Higginson 10–7   Ian Sargeant   Andrew Higginson 10–5   Craig MacGillivray

Round 1

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Round 1
(Best of 19 frames)
  Lee Walker 10–3   Jonathan Birch
  Leigh Griffin 10–4   Karl Broughton
  David Roe 10–7   Ian Brumby
  Graeme Dott 10–3   John Lardner
  Matthew Stevens 10–5   Stephen O'Connor
  Drew Henry 10–5   Sean Storey
  Paul Hunter 10–5   Lee Richardson
  Steve Judd 10–8   Michael Judge
  Joe Johnson 10–6   Martin Dziewialtowski
  Nick Pearce 10–5   Bjorn Haneveer
  Nick Walker 10–3   Willie Thorne
  Joe Perry 10–3   Shokat Ali
  Tony Jones 10–9   Paul Wykes
  Simon Bedford 10–3   Euan Henderson
  Quinten Hann 10–3   Wayne Jones
  Anthony Davies 10–6   Jamie Woodman
  Jason Ferguson 10–6   Darren Clarke
  Marcus Campbell 10–9   Chris Scanlon
  Joe Delaney 10–8   Jamie Burnett
  Gary Ponting 10–6   Dennis Taylor
  Alfie Burden 10–6   Mark Bennett
  Wayne Brown 10–8   Dean Reynolds
  Peter Lines 10–7   David Finbow
  Stuart Pettman 10–5   Dene O'Kane
  Matthew Couch 10–9   Paul Davies
  Stefan Mazrocis 10–6   Karl Payne
  David Gray 10–4   Mark Davis
  Karl Burrows 10–5   Tony Chappel
  Jason Prince 10–4   John Read
  Andrew Higginson 10–5   Jimmy Michie
  Bradley Jones 10–5   Gerard Greene
  Ian McCulloch 10–7   Dominic Dale

Round 2–3

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[11]

Round 2
(Best of 19 frames)
Round 3
(Best of 19 frames)
  Lee Walker 10–5   Leigh Griffin   Lee Walker 10–9   Billy Snaddon
  David Roe 10–9   Graeme Dott   Andy Hicks 10–1   David Roe
  Matthew Stevens 10–5   Drew Henry   Matthew Stevens 10–8   Neal Foulds
  Paul Hunter 10–5   Steve Judd   Mark King 10–9   Paul Hunter
  Nick Pearce 10–8   Joe Johnson   Terry Murphy 10–2   Nick Pearce
  Joe Perry 10–6   Nick Walker   Fergal O'Brien 10–7   Joe Perry
  Simon Bedford 10–7   Tony Jones   Simon Bedford 10–9   Gary Wilkinson
  Quinten Hann 10–3   Anthony Davies   Quinten Hann 10–6   Brian Morgan
  Jason Ferguson 10–6   Marcus Campbell   Jason Ferguson 10–7   Mick Price
  Joe Delaney 10–8   Gary Ponting   Dave Harold 10–7   Joe Delaney
  Alfie Burden 10–2   Wayne Brown   Alfie Burden 10–3   Rod Lawler
  Peter Lines 10–5   Stuart Pettman   Peter Lines 10–6   Steve James
  Matthew Couch 10–2   Stefan Mazrocis   Joe Swail 10–3   Matthew Couch
  David Gray 10–9   Karl Burrows   David Gray 10–5   Chris Small
  Jason Prince 10–6   Andrew Higginson   Jason Prince 10–8   Martin Clark
  Bradley Jones 10–9   Ian McCulloch   Jimmy White 10–5   Bradley Jones

References

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  1. ^ "Stephen Hendry profile". Betfred. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Simon Bedford at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. ^ "David Gray at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Quinten Hann at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Matthew Stevens at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Terry Murphy at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Alfie Burden at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Peter Lines at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Jason Prince at the World Championship". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d "Embassy World Championship 1998". Snooker.org. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e "World Championship 1998". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Ranking History". snooker.org. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  13. ^ Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 130.
  14. ^ "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  15. ^ Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. pp. 46–47.
  16. ^ Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 143.
  17. ^ "Crucible Centuries". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  18. ^ Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 149.
  19. ^ Eric, Hayton (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. London: Rose Villa Publications. ISBN 978-0-9548549-0-4.