1999 Masters (snooker)

1999 Benson & Hedges Masters
Tournament information
Dates7–14 February 1999 (1999-02-07 – 1999-02-14)
VenueWembley Conference Centre
CityLondon
CountryEngland
OrganisationWPBSA
FormatNon-ranking event
Total prize fund£575,000
Winner's share£155,000
Highest break Mark Williams (WAL) (123)
Final
Champion John Higgins (SCO)
Runner-up Ken Doherty (IRL)
Score10–8
1998
2000

The 1999 Masters (officially the 1999 Benson & Hedges Masters) was a professional non-ranking snooker tournament that took place between 7 and 14 February 1999 at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, England. The wild-card matches were extended from 9 to 11 frames.

John Higgins defeated Ken Doherty 10–8 in the final to win his first Masters title. He had also won the World title (where he also defeated Doherty) and UK title in 1998, meaning that at the time he held all three Triple Crown titles simultaneously. Before his semi-final match Higgins had said, referring to the possibility of holding all three titles, "That triple crown would be a dream but it's going to be tough."[1] After his win, the term "Triple Crown" was used in a number of newspapers to describe Higgins' feat.[2][3]

  1. ^ "Snooker: O'Sullivan is beaten by bruised Doherty". The Independent. 13 February 1999. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Hat-trick hero John on a high". The Daily Record. 15 February 1999. p. 35.
  3. ^ Everton, Clive (21 February 1999). "Snooker Dott to face Hendry". The Independent on Sunday.