Welsh Open (snooker) explained

Tournament Name:Welsh Open
Venue:Venue Cymru
Location:Llandudno
Country:Wales
Establishment:1992
Organisation:World Snooker Tour
Format:Ranking event
Prizefund:£405,000
Recent Edition:2024

The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament that has been held annually since 1992. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which ran annually from 1980 to 1991 and was open only to Welsh players. The Welsh Open is now the longest running ranking event after the World Championship and the UK Championship. Since the 2016–17 season, it has been one of four tournaments in the Home Nations Series, alongside the Northern Ireland Open, the Scottish Open, and the English Open. Since 2017, the winner of the event has received the Ray Reardon Trophy, named after the Welsh six-time world champion. Reardon himself presented the newly named trophy to 2017 winner Stuart Bingham.

Mark Williams is the only Welsh winner, having captured the title in 1996 and 1999. John Higgins holds the record for the most Welsh Open wins, claiming the title five times.

Gary Wilson is the reigning champion.

History

The tournament began as a ranking tournament in 1992. It is now the third-longest-running ranking event on the World Snooker Tour, after the World Championship and the UK Championship.[1] In the 2016–17 season, the event became part of the Home Nations Series, alongside the Northern Ireland Open, the Scottish Open, and the English Open. The event trophy was renamed the Ray Reardon Trophy; Reardon himself presented the first trophy bearing his name to the 2017 winner Stuart Bingham.[2]

The event was sponsored by Regal until 2003, but UK restrictions on tobacco advertising meant that it was without a sponsor until 2009.[3] The tournament was sponsored by Totesport.com in 2010,[4] by Wyldecrest Park Homes in 2011,[5] by 888真人 in 2012,[6] and by BetVictor from to 2013 to 2016.[7] [8] In 2017 the tournament was sponsored by Coral.

In 1996, Paul Hunter reached the semi-finals at the age of 17 years and 111 days, becoming the youngest player to reach this stage of a ranking tournament.[3]

John Higgins holds the record for the most Welsh Open titles, having won the event on 5 occasions. The other multiple winners are Ronnie O'Sullivan with 4 victories, Stephen Hendry with 3, and Steve Davis, Ken Doherty, Paul Hunter, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson with 2 wins each.

Like the Welsh Professional Championship, it was played at the Newport Centre in Newport, before moving to the Cardiff International Arena in 1999. It was moved back to Newport in 2005,[3] where it remained until 2014.[9] In January 2014, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn announced that the 2014 tournament would be the last held in Newport, and that he would open negotiations to move the event to a larger venue, most likely in Cardiff.[10] The event was held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff from 2015 to 2020, before moving back to Newport in 2021 and 2022. The 2023 event was held in Llandudno, the first time in its history that it has been staged in neither Newport nor Cardiff.[11] The tournament is broadcast by BBC Wales, Eurosport, CCTV, SMG, Now TV and Showtime Arabia. In the early days it was televised by both BBC Wales (in English), S4C (in Welsh) and Sky Sports.

There have been ten maximum breaks in the history of the tournament. The first was made by Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1999, against James Wattana. The second was made at the qualifying stage of the 2000 event by Barry Pinches, against Joe Johnson. The third was made by Andrew Higginson in 2007, against Ali Carter. The fourth 147 was made in 2011 by Stephen Hendry, against Stephen Maguire.[12] This was Hendry's 10th 147 break, and with this he equalled the record for most maximums with Ronnie O'Sullivan.[13] He also became the oldest player at the time to compile a maximum break at the age of 42 years and 35 days.[14] The fifth maximum was made by O'Sullivan in 2014, in the last frame of the final against Ding Junhui. This was O'Sullivan's 12th 147 break, and with it he set the record for most maximums.[15] It was also the last maximum to be compiled before the event moved to Cardiff. Ding Junhui made the sixth at the quarter-finals of the 2016 tournament, against Neil Robertson.[16] Two maximum breaks were made at the 2019 event, one by Neil Robertson in the first round, against Jordan Brown,[17] and one by Noppon Saengkham in the third round, against Mark Selby.[18] The ninth maximum was made in 2020 by Kyren Wilson on his first visit to the table in his first round match against Jackson Page.[19] [20] Shaun Murphy made the tenth maximum break in 2023 in his third round match against Daniel Wells.[21] The most recent maximum break was compiled by Gary Wilson in 2024, during the semi-final against Higgins.[22]

Winners

[3] [23] [24] [25]

YearWinnerRunner-upFinal scoreVenueCitySeason
19929–3Newport CentreNewport, Wales1991/92
19939–71992/93
19949–61993/94
19959–31994/95
19969–31995/96
19979–21996/97
19989–51997/98
19999–8Cardiff International ArenaCardiff, Wales1998/99
20009–81999/00
20019–22000/01
20029–72001/02
20039–52002/03
20049–8Welsh Institute of Sport2003/04
20059–8Newport CentreNewport, Wales2004/05
20069–42005/06
20079–82006/07
20089–82007/08
20099–52008/09
20109–42009/10
20119–62010/11
2012[26] 9–62011/12
2013[27] 9–82012/13
2014[28] 9–32013/14
2015[29] 9–3Cardiff International ArenaCardiff, Wales2014/15
2016[30] 9–52015/16
2017[31] 9–82016/17
2018[32] 9–72017/18
2019[33] 9–72018/19
2020[34] 9–12019/20
2021[35] 9–8Celtic Manor ResortNewport, Wales2020/21
2022[36] 9–5ICC Wales2021/22
2023[37] 9–7Venue CymruLlandudno, Wales2022/23
2024[38] 9–42023/24

Statistics

Finalists

NameNationalityWinner
52
42
32
21
21
21
21
21
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
02
02
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ivan . 2022-12-21 . BetVictor Welsh Open Draw . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221163838/https://wst.tv/betvictor-welsh-open-draw-2023/ . dead . 21 December 2022 . 2022-12-22 . World Snooker . en-US.
  2. News: Ray Reardon at 90: 'Proud for Wales, proud for myself' . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-12-22.
  3. Web site: Turner. Chris. Welsh Open. https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155616/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/welshopen.html. 16 February 2012. cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. 1 March 2011.
  4. Web site: Totesport.com Named Sponsor For Snooker's Welsh Open. 21 January 2010. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 21 January 2010.
  5. Web site: Wyldecrest Park Homes To Sponsor Snooker's Welsh Open. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 8 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110226053225/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/WelshOpenArticle/0%2C%2C13165~2289002%2C00.html. 26 February 2011. live. dmy-all.
  6. Web site: 888真人Sponsor Welsh Open. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 25 January 2012.
  7. Web site: BetVictor Sponsor Welsh Open. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 5 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140303095016/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3065658,00.html. 3 March 2014. live. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: BetVictor Renew Sponsorship of Welsh Open. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 9 February 2014. 6 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140110203027/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3606309,00.html. 10 January 2014. live. dmy-all.
  9. News: Newport secures Welsh Open deal for next three years. BBC Sport. 12 November 2011. 10 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111112002700/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/snooker/15675875.stm. 12 November 2011. live. dmy-all.
  10. Web site: Welsh Open snooker tournament to leave Newport Centre. BBC News. 17 January 2014. 23 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221225826/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25776511. 21 February 2014. live. dmy-all.
  11. News: Welsh Open moves to Llandudno in 2023 . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-12-22.
  12. Web site: Turner. Chris. Maximum Breaks. https://web.archive.org/web/20130210111304/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Max.html. 10 February 2013. cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. 8 April 2011.
  13. Web site: Hendry Out Despite Maximum. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 17 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20141111054753/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2296149,00.html. 11 November 2014. live. dmy-all.
  14. Web site: Turner. Chris. Various Snooker Records. https://web.archive.org/web/20130210111343/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Records.html. 10 February 2013. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. 18 February 2011.
  15. Web site: Magical Maximum Seals Rocket Triumph. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 2 March 2014. 2 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306021306/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3694830%2C00.html. 6 March 2014. live. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Robertson wins despite Ding Maximum. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 19 February 2016. 19 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160221025504/http://www.worldsnooker.com/ding-makes-maximum-in-cardiff/. 21 February 2016. live. dmy-all.
  17. Web site: Robertson Makes Motorpoint Maximum . World Snooker. 12 February 2019. 12 February 2019.
  18. Web site: Saengkham Makes Cardiff 147 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216195541/https://wst.tv/saengkham-makes-cardiff-147/ . dead . 16 February 2020 . World Snooker . 16 February 2020 . 14 February 2019.
  19. Web site: Wilson Fires 147 In Cardiff . https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185858/https://wst.tv/wilson-fires-147-in-cardiff/ . dead . 12 February 2020 . World Snooker . 16 February 2020 . 11 February 2020.
  20. Web site: Wilson Turns Over Page With Maximum . https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185840/https://wst.tv/wilson-turns-over-page-with-maximum/ . dead . 12 February 2020 . World Snooker . 16 February 2020 . 16 February 2020.
  21. Web site: 2023-02-16 . Murphy Makes 147 In Wales . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216201700/https://wst.tv/murphy-makes-147-in-wales/ . dead . 16 February 2023 . 2023-08-22 . World Snooker . en-US.
  22. Web site: Wilson Makes Snooker's 199th Maximum . . 17 February 2024 . 17 February 2024 . 17 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217223753/https://www.wst.tv/news/2024/february/17/wilson-makes-snooker-s-199th-maximum/.
  23. Web site: Welsh Open. https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071817/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=35. 24 January 2013. Snooker Scene. 26 January 2012.
  24. Web site: Roll of Honour. worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 3 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120219030013/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/WelshOpenArticle/0,,13165~2288116,00.html. 19 February 2012. live. dmy-all.
  25. Web site: Hall of Fame. Snooker.org. 22 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130518172109/http://snooker.org/Trn/hof.asp?pEvent=Welsh. 18 May 2013. live. dmy-all.
  26. Web site: 888真人 Welsh Open (2012). Snooker.org. 19 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120201130228/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=100. 1 February 2012. live. dmy-all.
  27. Web site: BetVictor Welsh Open (2013). Snooker.org. 10 January 2013.
  28. Web site: BetVictor Welsh Open (2014). Snooker.org. 9 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020144406/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=294. 20 October 2013. live. dmy-all.
  29. Web site: BetVictor Welsh Open (2015). Snooker.org. 16 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701210456/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=365. 1 July 2014. live. dmy-all.
  30. Web site: BetVictor Welsh Open (2016). Snooker.org. 21 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160217164922/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=427. 17 February 2016. live. dmy-all.
  31. Web site: Coral Welsh Open (2017). Snooker.org. 20 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063344/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=534. 18 February 2017. live. dmy-all.
  32. Web site: Welsh Open (2018). Snooker.org. 14 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712034744/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=630. 12 July 2017. live. dmy-all.
  33. Web site: ManBetX Welsh Open 2019. World Snooker. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 11 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190211051917/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Matches/Index/14039/manbetx-welsh-open-2019. 11 February 2019. dead.
  34. Web site: ManBetX Welsh Open 2020. World Snooker Tour. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 10 February 2020. 10 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210143834/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/LiveScoring/Tournament/14098/manbetx-welsh-open-2020. dead.
  35. Web site: BetVictor Welsh Open 2021. World Snooker Tour. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 21 February 2021. 22 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210222103204/https://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/LiveScoring/Tournament/14181/betvictor-welsh-open-2021. dead.
  36. Web site: 6 March 2022 . Perry secures glory in Wales . 6 March 2022 . . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307075506/https://wst.tv/perry-claims-welsh-open-glory/ . dead.
  37. Web site: 19 February 2023 . Bob bonanza: Milkins wins title and bonus . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219222722/https://wst.tv/bob-bonanza-mikins-wins-title-and-bonus/ . dead . 19 February 2023 . 19 February 2023 . World Snooker Tour.
  38. Web site: 2024 Welsh Open . snooker.org . 19 February 2024 . 19 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219063906/https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1456.

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