Classic (snooker)
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 Snooker tournaments |
| World Championship |
| Ranking tournaments |
| UK Championship |
| Grand Prix |
| Malta Cup |
| Welsh Open |
| China Open |
| Northern Ireland Trophy |
| Other tournaments |
| Masters |
| Premier League |
| Pot Black |
| Withdrawn tournaments |
| See: Snooker tournaments |
The Classic was a professional snooker tournament.
The tournament started life as the Wilsons Classic in 1980. A change in sponsor in 1982 meant a name change to Lada Classic. Two years later, the tournament was made a ranking tournament. Mercantile Credit took over the sponsorship for the 1984/85 season. The tournament ran until 1992.
Memorable incidents from the history of the tournament include the following:
- In 1982, Steve Davis made the first televised 147 break against John Spencer.
- In 1983, Bill Werbeniuk reached the only ranking final of his career in what was by far his best season.
- In 1984, Davis was level at 8 frames each with Tony Meo and only the colours were left in the deciding frame. As Meo lined up on the yellow, a spectator yelled out "Come on Tony!". Although Meo took time to compose himself after the shout, he missed the yellow and Davis cleared the colours to win.
- In 1985, Willie Thorne won his first ranking tournament victory, beating Cliff Thorburn in a final of extremely high quality. Earlier the same seasons, Thorburn had lost to another popular player winning his first ranking tournament, Dennis Taylor in the Grand Prix.
- In 1986, the tournament finally provided Jimmy White's first ranking tournament victory.
- In 1989, Doug Mountjoy at the age of 47 won his second ranking tournament in a row, having previously won the 1988 UK Championship. He remains one of only four players to win back-to-back ranking tournaments.
[edit] Winners
| Year | Winner | Opponent | Final score | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilsons Classic (non-ranking) | ||||
| 1980 | John Spencer | Alex Higgins | 4 - 3 | 1979/80 |
| 1981 | Steve Davis | Dennis Taylor | 4 - 1 | 1980/81 |
| Lada Classic (non-ranking) | ||||
| 1982 | Terry Griffiths | Steve Davis | 9 - 8 | 1981/82 |
| 1983 | Steve Davis | Bill Werbeniuk | 9 - 5 | 1982/83 |
| Lada Classic (ranking) | ||||
| 1984 | Steve Davis | Tony Meo | 9 - 8 | 1983/84 |
| Mercantile Credit Classic (ranking) | ||||
| 1985 | Willie Thorne | Cliff Thorburn | 13 - 8 | 1984/85 |
| 1986 | Jimmy White | Cliff Thorburn | 13 - 12 | 1985/86 |
| 1987 | Steve Davis | Jimmy White | 13 - 12 | 1986/87 |
| 1988 | Steve Davis | John Parrott | 13 - 11 | 1987/88 |
| 1989 | Doug Mountjoy | Wayne Jones | 13 - 11 | 1988/89 |
| 1990 | Steve James | Warren King | 10 - 6 | 1989/90 |
| 1991 | Jimmy White | Stephen Hendry | 10 - 4 | 1990/91 |
| 1992 | Steve Davis | Stephen Hendry | 9 - 8 | 1991/92 |
