1989 Masters (snooker)

1989 Benson & Hedges Masters
Tournament information
Dates22–29 January 1989 (1989-01-22 – 1989-01-29)
VenueWembley Conference Centre
CityLondon
CountryEngland
OrganisationWPBSA
FormatNon-ranking event
Total prize fund£250,000
Winner's share£62,000
Highest break Stephen Hendry (SCO) (119)
Final
Champion Stephen Hendry (SCO)
Runner-up John Parrott (ENG)
Score9–6
1988
1990

The 1989 Masters (officially the 1989 Benson & Hedges Masters) was a professional non-ranking snooker tournament that took place between 22 and 29 January 1989 at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, England. The prize money for the highest break was £6,000. The top 16 players were invited for the tournament.

Stephen Hendry won the Masters at his first attempt after joining the top 16 by defeating John Parrott 9–6 in the final. This was Hendry's first of his five consecutive Masters titles.

The tournament was rocked by a scandal after the first round match between Silvino Francisco and Terry Griffiths on 23 January. After Griffiths beat Francisco 5–1, it was discovered that there had been heavy betting on that exact score. Both players were questioned.[1][2] Francisco was arrested exactly a year later concerning the 1989 Masters and the 1986 Masters, where he lost 5–1 in the first round to Tony Knowles.[3] In May 1990 he was cleared of involvement in the alleged betting coups.[4]

  1. ^ "Gambling enquiry in snooker". The Times. 25 January 1989. p. 42.
  2. ^ "Police look at betting". The Times. 25 February 1989. p. 49.
  3. ^ "Francisco arrested by police". The Times. 24 January 1990. p. 44.
  4. ^ "Francisco cleared of alleged betting coup". The Times. 19 May 1990. p. 48.