1983 Professional Players Tournament

The 1983 Professional Players Tournament took place at one venue, unlike the previous year, at the 600-seater Redwood Lounge in Bristol. It was the last time it would be known as the Professional Players Tournament as the following year it was renamed to the Grand Prix. The tournament was an eventful one and saw Steve Davis, then World Champion, beaten by Humberside player Mike Hallett.

Joe Johnson made his first final after four years as a professional after beating Pascal Burke, Jimmy White, Eddie Charlton, Cliff Thorburn and Tony Meo.

His opponent Tony Knowles made his second ranking final after his win at the Jameson International the previous year and during the final. He had dominated most of the match and achieved a lead of 6-1. Johnson, however, then got the highest break of the tournament (135) and caught up to a score of first 5-7 and eventually 8-8. On the final frame, Knowles achieved a big lead though and despite Johnson making a 30 break to catch him up, Knowles won the title when he took the last red on the table and the colours up to the pink.

Knockout stage