The Paul Hunter Classic is a non-ranking snooker tournament. It changed from a ranking event to a 16-man invitational event in 2019. From 2010 to 2015 it was part of the Players Tour Championship. Barry Hawkins is the reigning champion. After losing its ranking event status, independent promoter Snookerstars.de promoted the 2019 event.
 | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Stadthalle |
| Location | Fürth |
| Country | Germany |
| Established | 2004 |
| Organisation(s) | WPBSA, Snookerstars.de |
| Format | Ranking event (2016–2018) Non-ranking event (2019) |
| Total prize fund | £120,000 |
| Current champion |  Barry Hawkins |
History
The tournament started in 2004 as the Grand Prix Fürth and was staged in Fürth, Germany. After two years as the Fürth German Open, it was renamed the Paul Hunter Classic in 2007 in memory of the late player Paul Hunter.[1] In 2010 it became part of the Players Tour Championship.[2]
There have been six official maximum breaks in the history of the tournament. The first was made by Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2011 against Adam Duffy.[3] The second was compiled by Ken Doherty in 2012 against Julian Treiber. This was Doherty's first 147.[4] The third was made in 2014 by Aditya Mehta against Stephen Maguire. Mehta became the first Indian player to compile an official 147.[5] The fourth was made by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in 2016[6] The fifth and sixth were made by Michael Georgiou and Jamie Jones on same day in 2018.[7]
Winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final score | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Fürth (pro–am) | ||||
| 2004 | Paul Hunter |  Matthew Stevens | 4–2 | 2004/05 |
| Fürth German Open (pro–am) | ||||
| 2005 | Mark King | Michael Holt | 4–2 | 2005/06 |
| 2006 | Michael Holt | Barry Hawkins | 4–2 | 2006/07 |
| Paul Hunter Classic (pro–am) | ||||
| 2007 | Barry Pinches |  Ken Doherty | 4–0 | 2007/08 |
| 2008 | Shaun Murphy | Mark Selby | 4–0 | 2008/09 |
| 2009 | Shaun Murphy | Jimmy White | 4–0 | 2009/10 |
| Paul Hunter Classic (minor-ranking) | ||||
| 2010 | Judd Trump | Anthony Hamilton | 4–3 | 2010/11 |
| 2011 | Mark Selby | Mark Davis | 4–0 | 2011/12 |
| 2012[9] | Mark Selby |  Joe Swail | 4–1 | 2012/13 |
| 2013[10] | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Gerard Greene | 4–0 | 2013/14 |
| 2014[11] | Mark Allen | Judd Trump | 4–2 | 2014/15 |
| 2015[12] | Ali Carter | Shaun Murphy | 4–3 | 2015/16 |
| Paul Hunter Classic (ranking) | ||||
| 2016[13] | Mark Selby | Tom Ford | 4–2 | 2016/17 |
| 2017 | Michael White | Shaun Murphy | 4–2 | 2017/18 |
| 2018 | Kyren Wilson | Peter Ebdon | 4–2 | 2018/19 |
| Paul Hunter Classic (non-ranking) | ||||
| 2019 | Barry Hawkins | Kyren Wilson | 4–3 | 2019/20 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic | 2020/21 | ||
See also
- German Masters, ranking tournament in Berlin
- FFB Open, minor-ranking tournament in Fürstenfeldbruck