Then a week or so afterwards, I was like, OK, he's got the mantle now to live up to. Corrections? 1999: Wins his record seventh world title, seeing off Mark Williams in the final. Stephen Gordon Hendry was born on January 13, 1969, in South Queensferry, Scotland. Eight years on from his initial retirement from the professional sport at the age of 43 at the end of the 2011/12 season . Eight years on from his initial retirement from the professional sport at the age of 43 at the end of the 2011/12 season, Hendry accepted an Invitational Tour Card from World Snooker Tour to pave the way for an incredible comeback to the sport that he once dominated. Stephen Hendry with his now girlfriend of four years Lauren Thundow The couple first launched a bid to build more homes on the site in 2008 and later won planning permission. pic.twitter.com/l31qIFsXDp, Ronnie O'Sullivan wins his match 10-1 in 108 minutes. All rights reserved. . Hendry had observed Steve Davis aloofness, the way he set himself apart from his rivals. The Scot finished as the year-end rankings leader for eight seasons in a row from 1989/90 to 1996/97. "I would say no, because there are so many great players competing against each other to win every tournament," he told BBC Sport. #snooker #bbcsnooker pic.twitter.com/dgKOL1QXhs, Ronnie O'Sullivan doing this to trail Mark Selby 16-14 in a World Championship semi-final but still ends up winning 17-16 in a match of the ages. Stephen . Higgins showed some early promise, developed a maturity in his game beyond his years and won the junior event at the 1991 World Masters in Birmingham, beating fellow 15-year-olds Ronnie OSullivan and Mark Williams en route. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Steve Davis says he cannot imagine anyone bettering Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles. Tai Chengzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images. His all-time leading tally of 20 Triple Crowns, which also consists of seven UK Championships and seven Masters, is now two more than what Hendry achieved in his legendary career, although the Scotsman condensed his 18 (7 worlds, 5 UKs & 6 Masters) into a formidable 10-year spell from 1989 to 1999. 1. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. I just try to enjoy the game, compete, try and enjoy what I do, and work hard at my game. His swashbuckling professional career spanning 28 glorious years has taken snooker fans to mesmerising heights and even at the age of 44, his continued brilliance and popularity across all generations is keeping him very much at the forefront of the sport. Just by being here as world number one no less the Romford man was setting a record for most consecutive Crucible appearances with 30, a tally that is level with Steve Davis overall record. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? Unseen footage: OSullivan breaks down in tears as seventh world title sinks in, 'I hated it' - O'Sullivan on why he did not enjoy winning seventh world title. He managed it in six minutes and there was an amusing moment at the end when he removed the sponsor logo from his waistcoat! The result gained revenge from losing a deciding frame in that year's Charity Challenge final, in which Hendry scored an iconic maximum break. pic.twitter.com/kkjnHt983m. Davis was the best player of his generation but still played the percentages. There, the Rocket punished Mark Selby 10-4 but the Jester would of course get his revenge in the World Championship final later that season. 6x World champion 7x UK champion 7x Masters champion 20 Triple Crowns A record 37th ranking title 1,061 century breaks 15 147s Legendary brilliance on the table Legendary entertainment off it Ronnie O'Sullivan, the GOAT pic.twitter.com/jeDAixy07w. We look back at his 28 years of astonishing milestones, achievements statistics, maximum breaks, and fan-pleasing antics. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2010 World Open - Mark King, 11. This remarkable completion of professional snookers Triple Crown by the young Hendry moved him into the No. Here's a look back through time at his 20 Triple Crown titles, his 15 career maximums and the typically memorable moment he scored his 1000th century last year. Last week, he was thrashed 5-0 by Matthew Stevens in the German Masters qualifiers. "One thing you never stop missing as a sportsman is the buzz you get from a crowd. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. After Hendry lost the top ranking in 2007, his play began to decline, and in 2012 he retired suddenly following his loss in the quarterfinals of the snooker world championship. He reeled off six consecutive frames to establish a four-frame advantage at the interval and despite a brief rally by his opponent he wrapped up victory with a break of 78. At the moment it is about trying to get back to playing some good snooker.". Nobody could stop him this time as he downed former champions Peter Ebdon (10-4), Mark Williams (13-6) and Neil Robertson (13-10) before waltzing past Matthew Stevens (17-10) in the semi-finals and Ali Carter 18-11 for the title. Hendrys seven world titles all came during his dominant spell in the 1990s, which also included eight consecutive seasons as world No. Discovery company. His top break of 141 was the highest in a World Championship final, beating O'Sullivan's previous best mark of 139 in 2001. "Then you let the snooker gods decide what they're going to decide, and these 17 days they were on my side. O'Sullivan's fifth UK Championship is another iconic moment in his career after he followed up the 13th 147 maximum break of his career against Matthew Selt in the last 16 before edging out rising star Judd Trump 10-9 in a truly gripping final that he'd led 9-4. The rate at which he's been losing his records hasnt been lost on Hendry, who was teased by Hazel Irvine and Steve Davis while on punditry duty about OSullivan potentially reaching 16 centuries at a single World Championship. For good measure Hendry also spent a recordbreaking nine years as world No 1, ahead of. Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2008 World Championship - Mark Williams, 10. The following season, he successfully defended that title and won the World Doubles Championship with partner Mike Hallett. Evans slams 'disgusting' prize money in women's snooker as Baipat claims world title. Four years later, he turned professional. He practised with military discipline, watched over by his no-nonsense manager, Ian Doyle, and the rewards came quickly. At 19 years and 69 days, O'Sullivan became the youngest Masters champion and that record stands today. OSullivan beat Judd Trump to win his seventh World Championship, I couldnt care less what Stephen Hendry or anyone else says Allen on slow-play critics, Why theres no hiding place for anyone at the Shoot Out, he was fined several times in the last 12 months. What TV channel is 2022 World Snooker Championship final? 2005: Wins his 36th and most recent ranking title at the Malta Cup. Once again, Hendry was setting records, with an unprecedented seventh world title. Having recently been awarded an OBE for his services to snooker, the Rocket beat Mark Williams (6-5), Mark Selby (6-3), Stuart Bingham (6-3) before annihilating Barry Hawkins 10-1 to equal Hendry's tally of six Masters titles. "Its just a number at the end of the day, I dont get too caught up with it to be honest with you.". Turning professional at 17, Hendry made a strong start in his first season, winning the 1986 Scottish Professional Championship. Unlike White or even Davis, he did not play for the pure love of snooker but because of an obsession with being the best. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. He intends to continue playing, and his tour card has been renewed through 2024. Ronnie O'Sullivan's 18-13 win over Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre in the World Snooker Championship final in 2022 earned him the biggest prize in the sport for a record-equalling seventh time. Snooker player Stephen Hendry's professional Match results, Frame scores, centuries, prize money, statistics from season 2022-2023 . 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. Later Career They each joined the pro circuit the following year. "John Higgins is on four, it's very hard to see anyone reaching seven," said Davis, a six-time world champion. Hendry was full-on attack, casting safety aside and always looking to open the balls and kill frames off in one visit. Ronnie O'Sullivan's sixth World Championship broke Stephen Hendry's record for the most career ranking titles and also extended his all-time Triple Crown tally to 20. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. While his comments about needing to lose one arm to drop out of the world's top 50 were still going viral, it looked as though he'd bow out when supposedly playing recklessly against Mark Selby in the semi-final. "Hopefully, if I can keep getting better and keep improving, my technique becomes reliable and I can get to a better pace, then next year will be the goal to get back to the Crucible," he said after his win over old foe White last year. The only trophies Hendry has ever wanted to handle are the ones he has won. Considering all categories of tournament, including ranking, non-ranking and invitational, Steve Davis has won the most titles in snooker. Hendry has the longest unbeaten streak in ranking tournament play, winning 36 consecutive matches in 1990 and 1991. Who Has Won The Most World Snooker Championships? https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-Hendry, Electric Scotland - Biography of Stephen Hendry. It's was the heaviest scoreline since the event's final became best of 19 frames back in 1993 and it's only been matched once since when Stephen Maguire thrashed David Gray in 2004. Ronnie O'Sullivan v Barry Hawkins | FINAL 2016 Dafabet Masters Session 1, Joe Perry vs Ronnie O'Sullivan Masters 2017 (Final)( Session 2), Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Shaun Murphy - 2017 UK Championship, THE BEST OF 2018 UK FINAL! Fellow Glaswegian Anthony McGill has won two and Edinburghs Chris Small, forced to retire in 2005 due to a chronic back condition, one. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. After winning his first World Championship in 1990, he became the youngest player ever to lift the title at 21. Ronnie O'Sullivan's sixth World Championship broke Stephen Hendry's record for the most career ranking titles and also extended his all-time Triple Crown tally to 20. There were so many - 70 titles in total - that we had to settle on just a dozen. . Hendrys streak cooled in the 2000s, but he remained competitive, even reclaiming his No. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2003 World Championship - Marco Fu, 7. O'Sullivan set to pass another Hendry record O'Sullivan's longevity at the top is almost as remarkable as his breathtaking standard of play and his mind-boggling collection of records, titles and century milestones. His comeback was much anticipated but has been largely underwhelming. He was that dominant. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1999 Grand Prix v Graeme Dott, 4. "Hendry: "Well he can't become the youngest world champion"Davis: "But he is playing like Benjamin Button." At age 30 (seven years younger than Reardon was when he won the first of his six world titles) Hendry considered retirement, but he persevered, working with former coach Frank Callan. "It's been an unbelievable career," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 live. It takes too much time practicing getting out of snookers, I'd rather practice break building." Even before his victory, O'Sullivan was already considered by many to be the greatest player of all time not least because of the number of ranking titles he has collected during his storied 30-year career. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. In 25 years time, maybe that record will fall too. To be the best was all he had ever wanted. Davis, who lost the 1989 and 1990 UK Championship finals to Hendry, continued: "In a way I feel that it's quite a sad day for me. At 18, he won his first ranking title, the 1987 Grand Prix. Ronnie O'Sullivan has won more ranking titles in snooker than any other player, just ahead of Stephen Hendry. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy - Ali Carter, 8. However, he began competing again in 2021. Hendry, who turned pro in 1985 aged 16, twice managed to win all three prestigious tournaments in one season (1989-90 & 95-96) - a feat O'Sullivan has never achieved - but only managed four more ranking triumphs this Millennium until he retired at the age of 43 following his 27th consecutive World Championship in 2012. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. At 20, he captured the Masters and UK Championship, and at 21 was crowned the youngest ever world champion. We look back at his 28. I didnt want Ronnie to equal my record and I dont want him to beat my record, why would I? Hendry said on the WST Podcast. In his Masters quarter-final against Marco Fu, Ronnie O'Sullivan fired in his 776th career century, taking him one . Earlier breaks of 116 and 105 had moved OSullivan onto 999 and any speculation that he would wait for the World Championship to reach a thousand was ended with a sumptuous 134. 20 Scots have so far competed in the Crucible stage of the World Championship. Maybe they need another talisman to look up to, but the Hendrys of this world are rare. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? Please subscribe as we've got loads of amazing snooker content coming up over the next few months. He represented his nation at the highest level of a hugely popular sport with distinction, winning 36 ranking tournaments including seven World Championships. Stephen Hendry: Key records Ranking title wins: 36 World titles: 7 UK titles: 5 Masters titles: 6 Crucible match wins: 70 Crucible win percentage: 77.78% Career win percentage: 68.54%. He claimed the number one ranking in 1990 and held it until White defeated him at the world championship in 1998. Can't stop smiling watching this againpic.twitter.com/vPxSMZhCEo, 1000 x ! Ronnie O'Sullivan's legendary career reaches a new unprecedented milestone, making his 1000th century - 27 years after his first - to win his 35th ranking title! What. Hendry won his first major junior tournament, the Scottish U-16 Championship, at age 14.Around this time, he appeared on the junior version of the BBCs Pot Black, a televised single-frame snooker competition that contributed to the games resurgence.At 15, Hendry won the Scottish Amateur Championship. Until 1982, only the world championship counted as a ranking event; two others the International Open and the Professional Players Tournament were then added, as was the UK Championship in 1984. His 16 centuries in the 2002 world championship also set a record. Four months later he'd bring a packed house to their feet yet again with his third maximum break of the season and his third at the Crucible. This is generally known as the start of the 'modern era'. He declared the match over when missing a red in frame six despite leading 24-0 at the time and although he later apologised to Hendry and his fans, O'Sullivan was fined 20,800 for his actions. "You could still have business interests and still play, but he's chosen not to. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. McManus would win the Masters itself in 1994. Ronnie's reply"I'm never going to be good at getting out of snookers. He became the first player to score the maximum of 147 three times in tournament play, recording his first 147 in 1992 and two more in 1995 (he scored additional maximums in 1997 and 1998, two in 1999, and others in 2001 and 2009). He turned professional the following year, and when he won the Grand Prix in 1987, he became the youngest player to win a tournament. I'm sure you're as excited watching at home as we are here." Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire . Following the 1996 world championship, Hendrys play slipped. He wont even be there to present the trophy. Its now undisputed, if it wasnt already. Stephen Hendry, (born January 13, 1969, Edinburgh, Scotland), Scottish snooker player who won a record seven world titles and dominated the game throughout the 1990s. Tuesday 03 May 2022 09:19. The record was previously set by Stephen Hendry back in 1999. He has the record for most century breaks during a tournament, scoring 16 centuries during the 2002 World Snooker Championship. Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has announced his retirement from snooker after a heavy 13-2 defeat by Stephen Maguire at the Crucible. Tied at 42 pints apiece, Sinclair hit the deck and Werbeniuk went to the bar for a celebratory beer. As a seven-time World Champion, Hendry is the most successful player in the modern era of the World Snooker Championship and holds the record for the most seasons as world number one. 1996: Fifth consecutive world title comes with final victory over Peter Ebdon. His triumph, which came a quarter of a century after he won his first United Kingdom crown as a 17-year-old, also saw O'Sullivan nudge ahead of Stephen Hendry with 19 Triple Crown titles - comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters. At the age of 17 years and 358 days he became the youngest ever winner of a ranking event and that record still stands. Notwithstanding his absence from the top table and the feats of the likes of Ronnie OSullivan since, Hendry retains several records in the sport including nine seasons as world number one and being the only player to have won each of the sports Triple Crown titles during the same season twice. He said: "I think it meant more to him than it does to me, to have seven world titles. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2011 Paul Hunter Classic - Adam Duffy, 12. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. One of the most joyous scenes in all of British cinema is the opening to Trainspotting, which sees Renton and his pals careening down Princes Street and other parts of Edinburgh to Iggy Pops Lust for Life. Discovery company. A. Career. @ronnieo147 pic.twitter.com/bCUnSqT2Z0. Ronnie O'Sullivan records 776th century to break Stephen Hendry's record. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. ", Ronnie O'Sullivan has won seven world titles, CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO WATCH ALL THE CRUCIBLE 147s, Crucible Champions: A look at every winner, Crucible memories: White a People's Champion, Joint most World Championships (7, equal with Stephen Hendry), Oldest ever world champion (46 years, 148 days), Youngest ever ranking winner (17 years, 358 days UK Championship, 1993), Joint most Crucible appearances (30, equal with Steve Davis), Most consecutive Crucible appearances (30), Most Crucible match wins (74 from 97 matches), Joint most Crucible 147s (3, level with Stephen Hendry). At the first World Team Cup in 1979, there was not even a Scottish team. We share it, its alright to share that, Hendrys a legend of the game, an absolute legend of the game. From March 1990 to January 1991, Hendry won 5 straight titles and 36 consecutive matches to post the longest unbeaten string in the sports history. In 2020, Hendry was offered an invitational wildcard by World Snooker Tour, making him eligible to compete again on the circuit. While many had given the enigmatic Rocket GOAT status on talent grounds long before hed surpassed Stephen Hendrys records for most ranking titles (36) and Triple Crowns (18) due to the countless moments of unfathomable genius and blockbusting entertainment hed treated us to since bursting onto the scene in 1993, the statistics have now landed the knockout blow. What TV channel is 2022 World Snooker Championship final? It was the eighth maximum of his career and he followed it up by thrashing Stephen Maguire 10-2 for his fourth UK title. Considering all categories of tournament, including ranking, non-ranking and invitational, Steve Davis has won the most titles in snooker. O'Sullivan was riding on a crest of a wave by the end of the year and after edging out Peter Ebdon 9-8 in the quarter-finals and Mark Williams 9-6 in the semis, the Rocket destroyed Ken Doherty 10-1 to land his third UK title. Even Neil Robertson is laughing by the end of the title-winning break. In 1984, at age 15, Hendry became the youngest Scottish amateur snooker champion in history. Ronnie O'Sullivan 775th Century with superb fluke! Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is Joe Davis, who won 15 consecutive titles from 1927 to 1946. pic.twitter.com/K1gRIJLnz9, Mark Selby thought Ronnie O'Sullivan's cavalier approach to getting out of his snookers was disrespectful. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. "John Higgins is on four, it's very hard to see anyone. At 53, it is surely impossible for Hendry to recapture former glories. Top 5 Ranked Men's Snooker Players Of All Time. Although Stephen Hendry officially retired following the 2012 World Snooker Championship, he announced he would be returning to the World Snooker Tour in 2020.Hendry has competed in a partial schedule during 2021 and 2022. Ronnie O'Sullivan has won more ranking titles in snooker than any other player, just ahead of Stephen Hendry. Who set these standards? Joe is a sub-editor for Sporting News UK. O'Sullivan has always played down his pursuit of the record and maintained that stance in his post-match press conference. Hendry won five consecutive Masters titles between 1989 and 1993 and five consecutive world titles between 1992 and 1996, both records in the modern era. Although he remained a fixture in the sports top 10 rankings, he was unable to equal the heights he had reached in the previous decade. After being ranked number one in the world for eight consecutive seasons, he lost the top spot with a first-round loss in the 1998 world championship. A ranking tournament is one that counts towards snooker's world rankings, which were introduced in the 1976-77 season. A series of records fell in his wake. Fast forward to the 2012 World Championship, which he lost to Stephen Maguire, after which he announced his retirement. Even before his victory, O'Sullivan was already considered by many to be the greatest player of all time not least because of the number of ranking titles he has collected during his storied 30-year career. Hendry changed the way snooker was played, ushering in a more attacking era and establishing records that took decades to be matched. "I can't see Stephen changing his mind; once he decides on something, that's it. Ronnie OSullivan registered the 1000th century break of his extraordinary career to win the final of the 2019 Players Championship. He might not have been the last snooker king of Scotland but was the man who inspired a nation, and who brought it respect. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He admired and coveted Daviss success and adopted his mindset. And just as the 2017 sequel to Trainspotting doesnt alter the majesty of the original, Hendrys stuttering comeback doesnt change any of that. Final report: Ronnie O'Sullivan 18-8 Kyren Wilson, CLICK HERE FOR EVERY 147 BREAK IN SNOOKER HISTORY, WATCH ALL THE CRUCIBLE MAXIMUM BREAKS IN HISTOR, Richard Mann's story of the snooker season, Sporting Life exclusive: Neil Robertson interview, Nick Metcalfe on a decade of World Championship finals, World Championship memories: White always a People's Champion, World Championship memories: O'Sullivan's finest hour, World Championship memories: Higgins prevails but Trump grows, World Championship memories: Joe Johnson: The biggest shock, World Championship memories: 1984 World Championship stands out, World Championship: 6 (2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020), UK Championship: 7* (1993, 1997, 2001, 2007, 2014, 2017, 2018), Masters: 7* (1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017), Century breaks: 1,061* (179 at Crucible*). Hendry changed the way snooker was played, ushering in a more attacking era and. Ronnie O'Sullivan's legendary status reached yet another level when breaking the ranking title record of 36 that he'd previously shared with Stephen Hendry by landing the biggest of the lot for the sixth time. All these matches are part of the process, and getting me comfortable in arenas again. Once he decided he'd be the greatest player in the world, he achieved that.". Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. 1995: Beats Nigel Bond in the World Championship final. However, given the varying format changes in the tournament's early life, most records in the sport are now taken from the period beginning 1969, when the knockout format at the world championship was reintroduced. To qualify for that would be incredible. However, when pressed for a more serious answer he replied: "I've never bothered about records, I've never performed well if I'm going for stuff like that. O'Sullivan came into the Masters on the back of losing the UK Championship final to Mark Selby but bounced back with wins over Liang Wenbo (6-5), Neil Robertson (6-3) and Marco Fu (6-4) before successfully defending his crown with a 10-7 triumph over Joe Perry. To be fair, Hendry had done everything to lower expectations. Having spent most of his career doing his own thing, he suddenly became friendly with the other players and, by his own admission, lost some of his edge. OSullivan's magic seventh World Championship title against Judd Trump 21 years after his first finally draws him level with the 'King of the Crucible', but he stands alone at the top for all the other records that matter and many others. However, one big difference was how he approached the game itself. 1 ranking for a period in 2005. However, given the varying format changes in the tournament's early life, most records in the sport are now taken from the period beginning 1969, when the knockout format at the world championship was reintroduced. He is much older and less driven, and the game has moved on with far more players capable now of playing to a high standard. He hadn't been at his fluent best earlier in the tournament but managed three century breaks and 10 above 50 when the trophy was on the line. Higgins was also 19 and just like O'Sullivan 12 months earlier, came through a qualifying event ranked 51 in the world. The 43-year-old, who . He was employed on a lucrative contract promoting cue sports in China and enjoyed punditry and leisure time spent playing golf, but nothing can compare with the thrill of competition. Yes, that's yet another record and four clear of Hendry. 'It makes me so angry!' After the 1999 world championship, Hendrys fortunes faded once more. I'm enjoying the process.". By becoming the first player since Paul Hunter in 2002 to retain it, O'Sullivan could celebrate a record seventh Masters title. Despite eventually signing the official WPBSA players' contract after initially refusing to do so, O'Sullivan decided to miss virtually the entire 2012-13 season but thankfully announced at the end of February that he would return at the Crucible. He competed in the World Amateur Championship that year, setting a record for being the youngest entrant ever.. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2018 China Open - Elliot Slessor, 15. 'Feels amazing' Higgins ends 13-month title drought by retaining Championship League crown, Watch Robertson produce magic as Trump leads final Championship League group. While Davis, the world number 39, has continued to play on the tour along with another legend, Jimmy White [ranked 44], Hendry has opted to quit 13 years after winning his last world title in 1999. The Romford potter has amassed 52 more Crucible centuries (179 vs 127) to take his astonishing overall career tally to 1,061 compared to Scotsman's mark of 775 - which is second on the all-time list - while 15 of those were maximums. It was the biggest margin of victory in the tournament's final since Steve Davis whitewashed Mike Hallett 9-0 in 1988. The seventh, though, was like a dam breaking. Ronnie O'Sullivan is happy to share the World Snooker Championship record with 'absolute legend' Stephen Hendry but feels that the feat means more to the Scot than it does to. This year he made the back pages for making amends in majestic fashion by compiling a breathtaking 147 break in the deciding frame of his semi-final with Mark Selby. Having enlisted the help of six-time world champion Ray Reardon to rediscover his magic, he battled past Stephen Maguire (10-6) and Andy Hicks (13-11) before imperiously wiping the floor with Anthony Hamilton (13-3) and Stephen Hendry (17-4) with sessions to spare, while his 18-8 hammering of Graeme Dott was pretty brutal too as he returned to the top of the world rankings, where he'd stay for the next two seasons. As the Scottish Open begins in Edinburgh, its worth remembering that this had not always been the case. Bio. This maximum in an exhibition against Reanne Evans last year is also well worth a watch. Well worth a watch even for Ronnie fans! Due tohis early success, Hendry earned the nickname The Golden Boy. His continued dominance led him to also become known as The Ice Man and The King of the Crucible. Even though he failed to defend his world championship title in 1991, Hendry struck back the following year, taking down White once again in the final of the 1992 World Snooker Championship.