The Masters, formerly the Benson & Hedges Masters, is a professional snooker tournament. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning more prize money than any other tournament except the World Championship.
The tournament was first held in 1975 in London. Ten players were invited. The final was won by John Spencer, who beat Ray Reardon 9-8 to win £2000. The match had reached 8-8 and, in the deciding 17th frame the scores were tied, meaning that a re-spotted black was necessary.
The tournament has seen many memorable matches, perhaps the most memorable being the 1991 final when Stephen Hendry beat Mike Hallett 9-8 after having trailed 7-0 and 8-2. The defeat effectively ended Hallett's days as a major force in the game. Paul Hunter came from 7-2 down to O'Brien and O'Sullivan, yet stormed back to win both matches. In 1998, Stephen Hendry lead Mark Williams 9-4, but Williams fought back to 9-9, and the match went to the re-spotted black. After a few shots, Hendry missed a straight-forward black over the middle pocket, and left a simple chance for Williams, which he took.
The event was sponsored by Benson & Hedges until 2003, but UK restrictions on tobacco advertising meant that it was without a sponsor the following year. In 2005, Rileys Club became sponsors of the event, but in 2006, Saga Insurance took over sponsorship of the tournament. 2006 was the last year the tournament was held at the Wembley Conference Centre, and the tournament relocated to Wembley Arena in 2007.
There have been two maximums in the tournament, the first was made by Kirk Stevens against Jimmy White in 1984. The second was made by Ding Junhui in the first match at the new Wembley Arena against Anthony Hamilton in 2007.
Finals[]
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Template:Flagicon John Spencer | 9 | Template:Flagicon Ray Reardon | 8 |
| 1976 | Template:Flagicon Ray Reardon | 7 | Template:Flagicon Graham Miles | 3 |
| 1977 | Template:Flagicon Doug Mountjoy | 7 | Template:Flagicon Ray Reardon | 6 |
| 1978 | Template:Flagicon Alex Higgins | 7 | Template:Flagicon Cliff Thorburn | 5 |
| 1979 | Template:Flagicon Perrie Mans | 8 | Template:Flagicon Alex Higgins | 4 |
| 1980 | Template:Flagicon Terry Griffiths | 9 | Template:Flagicon Alex Higgins | 5 |
| 1981 | Template:Flagicon Alex Higgins | 9 | Template:Flagicon Terry Griffiths | 6 |
| 1982 | Template:Flagicon Steve Davis | 9 | Template:Flagicon Terry Griffiths | 5 |
| 1983 | Template:Flagicon Cliff Thorburn | 9 | Template:Flagicon Ray Reardon | 7 |
| 1984 | Template:Flagicon Jimmy White | 9 | Template:Flagicon Terry Griffiths | 5 |
| 1985 | Template:Flagicon Cliff Thorburn | 9 | Template:Flagicon Doug Mountjoy | 6 |
| 1986 | Template:Flagicon Cliff Thorburn | 9 | Template:Flagicon Jimmy White | 5 |
| 1987 | Template:Flagicon Dennis Taylor | 9 | Template:Flagicon Alex Higgins | 8 |
| 1988 | Template:Flagicon Steve Davis | 9 | Template:Flagicon Mike Hallett | 0 |
| 1989 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 | Template:Flagicon John Parrott | 6 |
| 1990 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 | Template:Flagicon John Parrott | 4 |
| 1991 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 | Template:Flagicon Mike Hallett | 8 |
| 1992 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 | Template:Flagicon John Parrott | 4 |
| 1993 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 | Template:Flagicon James Wattana | 5 |
| 1994 | Template:Flagicon Alan McManus | 9 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 8 |
| 1995 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 9 | Template:Flagicon John Higgins | 3 |
| 1996 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 9 |
| 1997 | Template:Flagicon Steve Davis | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 8 |
| 1998 | Template:Flagicon Mark Williams | 10 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 9 |
| 1999 | Template:Flagicon John Higgins | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ken Doherty | 8 |
| 2000 | Template:Flagicon Matthew Stevens | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ken Doherty | 8 |
| 2001 | Template:Flagicon Paul Hunter | 10 | Template:Flagicon Fergal O'Brien | 9 |
| 2002 | Template:Flagicon Paul Hunter | 10 | Template:Flagicon Mark Williams | 9 |
| 2003 | Template:Flagicon Mark Williams | 10 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Hendry | 4 |
| 2004 | Template:Flagicon Paul Hunter | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 9 |
| 2005 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10 | Template:Flagicon John Higgins | 3 |
| 2006 | Template:Flagicon John Higgins | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 9 |
| 2007 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10 | Template:Flagicon Ding Junhui | 3 |
| 2008 | Template:Flagicon Mark Selby | 10 | Template:Flagicon Stephen Lee | 3 |
| 2009 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10 | Template:Flagicon Mark Selby | 8 |