1972 World Snooker Championship

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Park Drive World Snooker Championship
Tournament information
DatesMarch 1971 – 26 February 1972
Final venueSelly Park British Legion
Final cityBirmingham
CountryEngland
OrganisationWPBSA
Winner's share£400
Highest breakNorthern Ireland Alex Higgins (133)
Final
ChampionNorthern Ireland Alex Higgins
Runner-upEngland John Spencer
Score37–32
← 1971
1973 →

The 1972 World Snooker Championship (also known as 1972 Park Drive World Snooker Championship for sponsorship reasons) was a professional snooker tournament that took place between March 1971 and 26 February 1972.[1]

Alex Higgins won his first World title beating John Spencer 37–32 in the final.

Tournament Summary[]

  • Alex Higgins became the first qualifier to win the World Snooker Championship. Higgins had to win two qualifying matches to reach the tournament proper.
  • The qualifying competition contained eight players of which two qualifiers joined six other entrants in the competition proper. Those in the qualifying section included Alex Higgins, and four former amateur champions, Ron Gross, Maurice Parkin, Pat Houlihan and Geoff Thompson. This was the first time the event was sponsored by Park Drive.[2]
  • Higgins was not extended until the semi-final when Rex Williams led by six frames before the Irishman won by the odd frame with a 61 break. Williams had beaten Ray Reardon 25–23, in a match contested in five different club venues in Scotland. John Spencer beat Eddie Charlton in the second semi-final played in Bolton from 10 to 15 January.
  • The final, played at Birmingham's Selly Park British Legion from 21 to 26 February,[2] was evenly matched until Higgins struck the front with a 6–0 victory in the Thursday evening session, a gap which Spencer was never able to close.
  • Higgins' win made him the youngest champion at the age of 22 years, 345 days until Stephen Hendry won the title in 1990. Higgins also made the highest break of the tournament with 133.[3] The prize money was by arrangement with individual promoters; the winner Alex Higgins won £400.[2]

Main draw[]

Sources:[4][5]

First round Best of 37 frames

Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 19–11 Jackie Rea Northern Ireland

England John Pulman 19–7 John Dunning England

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
Best of 61 frames
 
 
England John Spencer31
 
Best of 73 frames
 
England Fred Davis21
 
England John Spencer37
 
Best of 61 frames
 
Australia Eddie Charlton32
 
Australia Eddie Charlton31
 
Best of 73 frames
 
England David Taylor25
 
England John Spencer 32
 
Best of 61 frames
 
Northern Ireland Alex Higgins37
 
Northern Ireland Alex Higgins31
 
Best of 61 frames
 
England John Pulman23
 
Northern Ireland Alex Higgins31
 
Best of 49 frames
 
England Rex Williams30
 
England Rex Williams25
 
 
Wales Ray Reardon23
 

Qualifying[]

Source:[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Turner, Chris. "On this Week: Ranking first for Carter". Eurosport. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "World Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  3. ^ "2004 Embassy World Championship Information". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 8 December 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  4. ^ "1972 World Championships Results". Snooker Database. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
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