Paul Hunter remembered 20 years on: snooker marks anniversary of three-time Masters champion's death at 27
Snooker has marked 20 years since Paul Hunter died of cancer at 27. He won the Masters three times, each final 10-9, and the trophy now carries his name.
On Friday 9 October, snooker marked 20 years since Paul Hunter died on 9 October 2006. He was 27 and had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours the year before. On the anniversary, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) published tributes from players who knew him, and World Snooker Tour sent its thoughts to his family and friends. For fans who only know his name from the trophy, here is why he still matters.
Three Masters finals, all won 10-9
Hunter was born in Leeds on 14 October 1978. He is best known for his record at the Masters, the sport's biggest invitation event. He won it in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and every one of those finals finished 10-9.
The opponents were Fergal O'Brien in 2001, Mark Williams in 2002 and Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2004. The WPBSA tribute points out that Hunter was behind in all three finals before coming back to win. That habit of rescuing matches that looked lost, along with his flair, made him one of the most popular players of his generation. In the WPBSA piece, O'Brien describes him as box office.
Ranking titles and a Crucible near-miss
Hunter also won three ranking events. He took the Welsh Open in 1998, beating John Higgins in the final, and won it again in 2002. He won the British Open later in 2002, beating Ian McCulloch 9-4. His highest world ranking was No. 4, in the 2004-05 season.
He never reached a World Championship final, but he came very close in 2003. In his semi-final against Ken Doherty at the Crucible he led 15-9, then lost 17-16 as Doherty won eight of the last nine frames.
Illness and early death
Hunter was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and kept playing while he had treatment, including at the Crucible. He married Lindsey Fell in 2004, and their daughter was born on 26 December 2005. He died at Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield on 9 October 2006, five days before what would have been his 28th birthday.
Later in 2006 he was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award after his death. The award recognises courage in the face of adversity.
A name that stays in the sport
His name is still part of the game. The Fürth German Open was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic in 2007. In April 2016 the Masters trophy became the Paul Hunter Trophy, so every Masters champion since then has lifted a trophy named after a man who won the event three times. The Paul Hunter Foundation was set up after his death to give young people, including disabled youngsters, the chance to play snooker.
Several former opponents spoke in the WPBSA's anniversary tribute. Alan McManus said losing Hunter "changes the history of the game", and Higgins remembered him as someone who lived life to the full. Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens also paid tribute.
The anniversary comes as the 2026-27 season moves into its busy autumn stretch, with the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast starting on 18 October.
Key takeaways
- Paul Hunter died of cancer on 9 October 2006, aged 27.
- He won the Masters in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and all three finals ended 10-9.
- He also won the Welsh Open twice and the British Open once, and reached world No. 4.
- He led Ken Doherty 15-9 in the 2003 World Championship semi-finals but lost 17-16.
- The Masters trophy has been called the Paul Hunter Trophy since 2016.
FAQ
When did Paul Hunter die? He died on 9 October 2006 at Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield, aged 27, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2005.
How many times did Paul Hunter win the Masters? Three times: in 2001, 2002 and 2004. He won each final 10-9.
Why is the Masters trophy named after him? The trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy in 2016 to honour his three Masters titles and his place in the sport.
Sources: WPBSA, World Snooker Tour, Wikipedia