World Snooker Championship successive title. There were 48 century breaks during the final stages, a new record. In the first round of 1997 championship Ronnie O'Sullivan made the fastest maximum break in snooker history, taking just 5 minutes and 20 seconds. The final was between Stephen Hendry and Irishman Ken Doherty. Doherty led 15–7 before Hendry won 5 frames in a row. Doherty then won the next three frames to win 18–12, ending Hendry's winning run of 29 consecutive matches. Stephen Hendry lost to Jimmy White in the first round of the 1998 championship. Doherty reached the final again meeting 22-year-old John Higgins.
2008 World Snooker Championship 1 Rounds 2–5 The highest break received a prize of £10,000, and a 147 break received a prize of £147,000 – a total of £157,000. This prize was shared, as two players made a 147, thus winning £78,500 each. In total there were 63 century breaks made at this year's world championships. 2008 World Snooker Championship The 2008 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 2008 888.com World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 19 April and 5 May 2008 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. John