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.
1946 World Snooker Championship centuries. Davis and Lindrum received £1,800 and £550 respectively. Lindrum also received the championship table and all the equipment. Sources: Kingsley Kennerley met Fred Lawrence from 7–9 January in Birmingham. Stanley Newman and Willie Leigh played from 10–12 January in Newquay, Cornwall. Conrad Stanbury played John Barrie from 28–30 January in Woolwich, London. The final between Stanley Newman and Kingsley Kennerley was played from14–16 February in Tooting, London 1946 World Snooker Championship The 1946 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament. The final was held at the Royal Horticultural Hall in London, England from 6 to 18 May. Joe Davis