Every year at the Masters, fans, in addition to enjoying the visual feast of this top invitational tournament, will also spare a few minutes in their hearts to lament the sport's biggest loss in recent years - the death of Paul Hunt.
If "Rocket" Ronnie O'Sullivan is a quick and crisp spokesperson in the field, then chic and elegant is Paul Hunt's label. This year, whoever finally lifts the "Paul Hunt" cup, which symbolizes the championship, will pay homage to this personable gentleman.
In 2016, on the tenth anniversary of Hunter's death, World Snooker announced that the Masters' Crystal Championship trophy would be named after Paul Hunter from 2017 onwards.
His name has always been closely associated with the Masters – in 2001, 23-year-old Paul Hunter won the title with a 10-9 victory over Irishman Fogery O'Brien after falling behind 3-7 in the Masters, and in the next two years, Hunter won the trophy in a 10-9 comeback to win the Masters tiebreaker for the third consecutive year.
But in 2006, Paul Hunt, 27, died of a rare stomach cancer, leaving behind his heartbroken wife, Lyndesy Fell, and his 10-month-old daughter, Evie Rose. On the day of the funeral, Hunter's close friend and two-time World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens attended the funeral as the coffin bearer.
"He's a very casual guy, the nicest guy I've ever met. I really miss the small talk and laughter with him, we often hang out together, but really have fun. Stevens reminisced about their happy times, and whenever he talked about his memories with Hunter, he couldn't help but cry.
"I'll never forget that game." Mark Williams said he was the second "victim" of Hunter's consecutive Masters trebles, "I went 5-0 and lost 9-10. He's really one of the most stress-resistant players, and if he's alive, he's sure to win two or three more world championships. ”
The 2018 Snooker Masters will open on 14 January at Alexandria Palace in London, where 16 of the world's top golfers will gather to challenge the £200,000 winner prize and the Paul Hunt trophy.