1981 World Snooker Championship
The 1981 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking snooker tournament and the fifth edition held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, taking place from 7 to 20 April 1981. Sponsored by Embassy, the event featured a 24-player main draw at the Crucible, with qualifying rounds, culminating in England's Steve Davis winning his first world title by defeating Wales' Doug Mountjoy 18–12 in the final.[1][2] Davis, seeded 13th and aged 23, entered as a rising star and navigated a challenging path to victory, becoming the youngest champion since Alex Higgins in 1972.[3] In the first round, he edged out a 19-year-old Jimmy White 10–8; he then beat 1972 champion Alex Higgins 13–8 in the last 16, followed by a 13–9 quarter-final win over 1979 winner Terry Griffiths.[3][1] The semi-finals saw Davis overcome 1980 champion Cliff Thorburn 16–10 in a match marked by a controversial foul ruling that favored Davis.[3][1] Mountjoy, the runner-up, had a strong run himself, defeating six-time champion Ray Reardon 16–10 in the other semi-final after earlier wins over Willie Thorne, Eddie Charlton, and Dennis Taylor.[1] During the tournament, Mountjoy compiled a then-record 145 break in his semi-final against Ray Reardon, the highest in World Championship history at that point.[1] The event offered a total prize fund of £73,800, with Davis earning £20,000 as champion and Mountjoy receiving £16,200.[2] Overall, 19 century breaks were recorded, including a 129 by Mountjoy in the final.[2]Overview
Tournament details
The 1981 World Snooker Championship took place from 7 to 20 April 1981 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, marking the fifth consecutive year the event was held at this venue, which had become the tournament's established home since 1977.[1][2] The championship was sponsored by the Embassy cigarette brand, which had supported the event since 1976.[1][2] Organized by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the tournament featured comprehensive coverage by the BBC, including live sessions and daily highlights that contributed to the growing popularity of snooker in the United Kingdom.[4][3] As a ranking professional event, it adopted a single-elimination knockout format starting with a main draw of 24 players: the top 16 seeds, with the top eight receiving byes to the second round, and seeds 9–16 facing eight qualifiers in the first round.[1][2] Match lengths increased progressively—best-of-19 frames in the first round, best-of-25 in the second round and quarter-finals, best-of-31 in the semi-finals, and best-of-35 in the final—to build tension across the stages.[1] Qualifying rounds, held from 24 March to 4 April 1981, drew from a field of 44 professional players to determine the eight main-draw spots, ensuring a competitive path for lower-ranked entrants.[2] The total prize fund stood at £73,800, reflecting the event's rising stature in the sport.[2]Prize money
The 1981 World Snooker Championship, sponsored by Embassy and held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, featured a total prize fund of £73,800, providing significant financial incentives for professional players amid the sport's growing popularity.[2] This represented an increase from the £52,000 total prize fund of the 1980 championship, highlighting the expanding commercial appeal of snooker in the early 1980s.[5] The winner, Steve Davis, received £20,000 for defeating Doug Mountjoy in the final.[6] Mountjoy earned £10,000 as runner-up.[7] The semi-finalists, Cliff Thorburn and Ray Reardon, each collected £5,000.[8] In addition to stage-based prizes, Doug Mountjoy was awarded £1,200 for compiling the tournament's highest break of 145—achieved during his semi-final victory over Ray Reardon—and a special £5,000 bonus for setting a new record for the highest break at the Crucible Theatre.[3]Background
Qualification
The qualification rounds for the 1981 World Snooker Championship took place from 24 March to 4 April 1981, determining eight spots in the 24-player main draw at the Crucible Theatre.[2] Non-seeded professional players competed in a series of knockout rounds, starting from the last 48 and progressing through the last 32, with matches played as best-of-19 frames in the early stages to reduce the field.[2] The top 16 players on the world rankings received byes directly into the main event, bypassing qualification entirely.[9] A total of eight players advanced to join the seeded entrants, including debutants Jimmy White, Tony Meo, and Dave Martin, providing opportunities for emerging talent in this ranking event.[2] Notable results included White's 9–4 victory over Bernie Mikkelsen in the last 48, featuring breaks of 73 and 70, followed by a 9–8 win against Jim Meadowcroft in the last 32, where White compiled breaks of 77, 61, and 51.[10] Other qualifiers were John Dunning, Ray Edmonds, Tony Knowles, Willie Thorne, and Cliff Wilson, each securing their place through wins in the final qualifying stage.[2] This structure ensured the inclusion of promising non-top-16 professionals, broadening participation in the championship while maintaining its status as a key ranking tournament.[9]Seeded players and entrants
The 1981 World Snooker Championship main draw comprised 24 players, with the field consisting of the top 16 seeds—determined by performances in the previous three World Championships—and 8 qualifiers who advanced through pre-tournament rounds. The top 8 seeds received byes to the last-16 stage, while seeds 9–16 faced the qualifiers in the first round. This structure marked the second year of the 24-player format at the Crucible Theatre, emphasizing a mix of established stars and emerging challengers.[9][3] The top seeds reflected the era's competitive hierarchy, led by defending champion Cliff Thorburn of Canada. Other high seeds included multiple former world champions and consistent performers from the British Isles and beyond. The full list of seeds was as follows:| Seed | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cliff Thorburn | Canada |
| 2 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 3 | Eddie Charlton | Australia |
| 4 | Alex Higgins | Northern Ireland |
| 5 | Terry Griffiths | Wales |
| 6 | Dennis Taylor | Northern Ireland |
| 7 | John Spencer | England |
| 8 | David Taylor | England |
| 9 | Bill Werbeniuk | Canada |
| 10 | Perrie Mans | South Africa |
| 11 | Kirk Stevens | Canada |
| 12 | Graham Miles | England |
| 13 | Steve Davis | England |
| 14 | Doug Mountjoy | Wales |
| 15 | Fred Davis | England |
| 16 | John Virgo | England |
Tournament progress
First round
The first round of the 1981 World Snooker Championship featured eight matches played over the best of 19 frames from 7 to 12 April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with the top eight seeds receiving byes to the last-16 stage.[1] This structure pitted the ninth- to sixteenth-seeded players against qualifiers and lower-ranked entrants, creating opportunities for upsets in the 24-player draw.[9] Rising star Steve Davis, seeded 13th, faced a stern test in his second-round opener against 19-year-old debutant Jimmy White, the reigning world amateur champion who had turned professional just months earlier. Davis raced to an 8-4 lead, compiling the tournament's first century break, but White mounted a comeback, closing the gap to one frame on two occasions before Davis clinched a 10-8 victory with a 71 clearance in the decider.[3] The match highlighted White's potential despite the loss and served as valuable experience for Davis ahead of tougher clashes.[11] Qualifier Doug Mountjoy, fresh from winning the 1980 UK Championship and seeded 14th, produced a composed performance to defeat 12th seed Willie Thorne 10-6, building momentum that would carry him to the final.[1][3] In another upset, 15th seed Graham Miles overcame Tony Knowles 10-8 in a tight contest, denying the young Englishman a breakthrough at the Crucible on his debut.[1] Three-time world champion John Spencer, seeded 16th, also endured a nervy encounter, edging qualifier Ray Edmonds 10-9 to advance narrowly.[1] Other matches saw more straightforward progressions for the favorites, with 11th seed David Taylor defeating Cliff Wilson 10-6, qualifier Tony Meo beating John Virgo 10-6, ninth seed Kirk Stevens dispatching John Dunning 10-4, and 10th seed Bill Werbeniuk routing debutant Dave Martin 10-4.[1] These results saw seven of the eight seeds advance, with Mountjoy's qualification success as the notable exception, injecting unpredictability into the latter stages while underscoring the depth of the field.[11]Second round
The second round of the 1981 World Snooker Championship consisted of last-16 matches played in a best-of-25 frames format at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, spanning from 9 to 14 April 1981.[1] This stage featured the eight top-seeded players facing the winners of the first-round clashes between seeds 9–16 and qualifiers, marking an escalation in competition as the longer format allowed for tactical depth and endurance testing.[2] Several matches showcased dominant performances, while others went to close contests, highlighting shifts toward more conservative safety play in extended sessions. The results were as follows:| Winner | Score | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Cliff Thorburn (1) | 13–2 | Graham Miles |
| David Taylor | 13–3 | Fred Davis |
| Terry Griffiths | 13–6 | Tony Meo |
| Steve Davis | 13–8 | Alex Higgins (5) |
| Doug Mountjoy | 13–7 | Eddie Charlton |
| Dennis Taylor (8) | 13–11 | Kirk Stevens |
| Bill Werbeniuk | 13–5 | Perrie Mans |
| Ray Reardon (2) | 13–11 | John Spencer |
Quarter-finals
The quarter-finals of the 1981 World Snooker Championship consisted of four best-of-25 frames matches played from 13 to 15 April 1981 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.[1] These encounters featured the survivors from the second round, including seeded players such as defending champion Cliff Thorburn and former winner Ray Reardon, facing challengers who had advanced through earlier ties.[2] The results were as follows:| Player 1 | Score | Player 2 | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliff Thorburn (seed 1) | 13–6 | David Taylor | 14–15 April |
| Steve Davis | 13–9 | Terry Griffiths | 13–15 April |
| Doug Mountjoy | 13–8 | Dennis Taylor | 13–15 April |
| Ray Reardon (seed 2) | 13–10 | Bill Werbeniuk | 14–15 April |
Semi-finals
The semi-finals of the 1981 World Snooker Championship were contested in a best-of-31 frames format over three days, from 16 to 18 April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.[2] In the first semi-final, Steve Davis faced defending champion and top seed Cliff Thorburn, who had advanced with a 13–6 quarter-final victory over David Taylor. Thorburn struck first with a 92 break to win the opening frame, but Davis responded emphatically, claiming the next three frames to lead 3–1. By the end of the first session, Davis held a 5–3 advantage. Thorburn mounted a strong comeback in the second session, reeling off five frames in a row—including a 123 break—to take an 8–7 lead overall. The match included a controversial foul ruling when Thorburn's cue touched the cue ball, awarding balls to Davis and shifting momentum. However, Davis regained composure in the decisive third session, winning nine of the final 11 frames with consistent scoring, including breaks of 111 and 96, to secure a 16–10 triumph and reach his first World Championship final.[2][12][3] The second semi-final pitted second seed Ray Reardon against Doug Mountjoy, following Reardon's 13–10 quarter-final win over Bill Werbeniuk and Mountjoy's 13–8 defeat of Dennis Taylor. Mountjoy asserted early dominance, compiling breaks of 71 and 110 to lead 5–3 after the opening session of eight frames. Reardon clawed back to trail by just one frame midway through the second session, but Mountjoy pulled away decisively with a 145 clearance in the 12th frame—the highest break of the tournament and a new World Championship record, surpassing the previous mark of 142 set by Bill Werbeniuk in 1979. Mountjoy added further half-centuries, including 124 and 100, to extend his lead to 11–6 by the end of the second session and comfortably close out a 16–10 victory despite a late fightback from Reardon.[2][1]| Match | First Session (8 frames) | Second Session (9 frames) | Third Session (14 frames) | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis vs. Thorburn | Davis 5–3 | Thorburn 6–3 (overall 9–8 Thorburn) | Davis 7–3 (overall 16–10 Davis) | 16–10 |
| Mountjoy vs. Reardon | Mountjoy 5–3 | Mountjoy 6–3 (overall 11–6 Mountjoy) | Mountjoy 5–4 (overall 16–10 Mountjoy) | 16–10 |
Final
The final of the 1981 World Snooker Championship was contested as a best-of-35-frames match between Steve Davis of England and Doug Mountjoy of Wales, held over two days on 19 and 20 April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.[2] Davis, the 13th seed and 7-2 pre-tournament favourite at age 23, faced the 14th-seeded Mountjoy in what marked both players' first appearance in a world championship final.[3] The match, refereed by John Williams, was broadcast live on BBC television with commentary from Ted Lowe and Clive Everton, drawing a packed crowd to the venue amid snooker's rising popularity in the UK.[1][3] Davis dominated the opening session, surging to a 6–0 lead with breaks of 59 and 52, his precise potting and safety play overwhelming Mountjoy, who struggled to find rhythm on the baize.[2] Mountjoy responded resiliently in the evening session, clawing back to trail 6–3 at the close of day one with frames won through gritty determination, including a 76 clearance in the eighth frame.[2] The second day began with Davis extending his advantage to 9–6, highlighted by an 81 break, but Mountjoy mounted a spirited fightback, levelling the momentum with a stunning 129 clearance in the 14th frame—his highest of the match—and drawing within two frames at 9–7 by the end of the afternoon session.[2] The Crucible audience, buzzing with tension, witnessed Mountjoy's brief resurgence, as the Welshman's aggressive style contrasted Davis's composed, error-free approach, with Lowe's measured whispers on BBC capturing the electric atmosphere.[3] In the evening session, the match reached its climax as Mountjoy narrowed the gap to 12–10 with frames featuring breaks of 68 and tactical safety exchanges that tested Davis's nerve.[2] A critical 25th frame saw Mountjoy miss an straightforward blue, allowing Davis to capitalise and pull ahead to 14–11, shifting the momentum decisively.[3] Davis then sealed the title with four unanswered frames, including a clinical 119 clearance in the 28th—his match-high break—and steady scoring in the final frames (62–30 and 73–36), clinching an 18–12 victory after 30 frames.[2] His unflappable demeanour under pressure, even as the crowd roared for Mountjoy's comebacks, underscored the 23-year-old's emergence as a dominant force.[3] The win marked Davis's first world championship title, ending Mountjoy's hopes of a late rally and propelling the young Englishman to the pinnacle of the sport at the earliest age for a debut champion since 1952.[3] Post-match, Davis was overcome with emotion, shedding tears after potting the final pink, while his manager Barry Hearn celebrated the breakthrough that signalled the start of Davis's golden era in snooker.[3]Results and records
Main draw
The 1981 World Snooker Championship featured a 24-player single-elimination main draw at the Crucible Theatre, consisting of the top 16 ranked players and eight qualifiers from pre-tournament rounds. The top eight seeds advanced directly to the second round, while seeds 9–16 competed against the qualifiers in the first round over 19 frames; later rounds used 25 frames for the second round and quarter-finals, 31 for the semi-finals, and 35 for the final.[1][2] The bracket was divided into two halves, with winners progressing as follows (qualifiers denoted by (q); seed numbers for top eight shown where applicable).Top half
| Round | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Bill Werbeniuk (9) def. Dave Martin (q) | 10–4 |
| First round | Kirk Stevens (11) def. John Dunning (q) | 10–4 |
| First round | Graham Miles (12) def. Tony Knowles (q) | 10–8 |
| First round | Doug Mountjoy (14) def. Willie Thorne (q) | 10–6 |
| First round | David Taylor (16) def. Mick Price (q) | 10–8 |
| Second round | Cliff Thorburn (1) def. Graham Miles (12) | 13–2 |
| Second round | David Taylor (16) def. Fred Davis (8) | 13–3 |
| Second round | Doug Mountjoy (14) def. Eddie Charlton (5) | 13–7 |
| Second round | Dennis Taylor (6) def. Kirk Stevens (11) | 13–11 |
| Quarter-final | Cliff Thorburn (1) def. David Taylor (16) | 13–6 |
| Quarter-final | Doug Mountjoy (14) def. Dennis Taylor (6) | 13–8 |
Bottom half
| Round | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First round | John Spencer (10) def. Ray Edmonds (q) | 10–9 |
| First round | Steve Davis (13) def. Jimmy White (q) | 10–8 |
| First round | Tony Meo (15) def. John Virgo (q) | 10–6 |
| First round | Patsy Fagan (7) def. [qualifier, e.g., Pat Houlihan (q)] | 10–9 |
| Second round | Ray Reardon (3) def. John Spencer (10) | 13–11 |
| Second round | Steve Davis (13) def. Alex Higgins (4) | 13–8 |
| Second round | Terry Griffiths (2) def. Tony Meo (15) | 13–6 |
| Second round | [Bill Werbeniuk (9) def. Patsy Fagan (7)] | 13–5 |
| Quarter-final | Ray Reardon (3) def. Bill Werbeniuk (9) | 13–10 |
| Quarter-final | Steve Davis (13) def. Terry Griffiths (2) | 13–9 |
Semi-finals and final
| Round | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-final | Steve Davis (13) def. Cliff Thorburn (1) | 16–10 |
| Semi-final | Doug Mountjoy (14) def. Ray Reardon (3) | 16–10 |
| Final | Steve Davis (13) def. Doug Mountjoy (14) | 18–12 |
Century breaks
There were 13 century breaks compiled during the main draw of the 1981 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, equalling the record set in 1979.[13] This total highlighted the high level of scoring in the event, with several players contributing multiple breaks amid the best-of-19 and best-of-25 formats of the early rounds that allowed for extended play and opportunities for big runs.[2] Doug Mountjoy was the standout, making four centuries, including the tournament's highest of 145 against Ray Reardon in the semi-finals—a new World Championship record that surpassed previous marks of 142 by Rex Williams in 1965 and Bill Werbeniuk in 1979—and a 129 against Steve Davis in the final.[1][2] Mountjoy's 100 came in the quarter-finals against Dennis Taylor, and 110 in the semi-finals. Steve Davis added four centuries overall, with two in his first-round win over Jimmy White and a 112 in the quarter-finals against Terry Griffiths, plus a 119 in the final against Mountjoy.[2][9] Other players shared the remaining centuries, with Ray Reardon recording a 112 in his quarter-final victory over Bill Werbeniuk, Tony Meo a 134 in the first round against John Virgo, and Dennis Taylor a 135 in the second round against Kirk Stevens. Cliff Thorburn made three centuries, including 114 and 120 against David Taylor in the quarter-finals. Terry Griffiths compiled a 102 against Tony Meo in the second round. These breaks underscored key moments in matches, often helping to shift momentum in tight contests.[14]| Player | Break | Round | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Davis | 100 | First round | Jimmy White |
| Steve Davis | 100 | First round | Jimmy White |
| Tony Meo | 134 | First round | John Virgo |
| Dennis Taylor | 135 | Second round | Kirk Stevens |
| Ray Reardon | 112 | Quarter-finals | Bill Werbeniuk |
| Cliff Thorburn | 114 | Quarter-finals | David Taylor |
| Cliff Thorburn | 120 | Quarter-finals | David Taylor |
| Doug Mountjoy | 100 | Quarter-finals | Dennis Taylor |
| Doug Mountjoy | 110 | Semi-finals | Ray Reardon |
| Doug Mountjoy | 145 | Semi-finals | Ray Reardon |
| Steve Davis | 119 | Final | Doug Mountjoy |
| Doug Mountjoy | 129 | Final | Steve Davis |
| Steve Davis | 112 | Quarter-finals | Terry Griffiths |