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==Career==
==Career==
Stevens started playing young, achieving his first {{Cuegloss|Century|century break}} aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] aged 27. In 1984 he achieved a maximum 147 break in a televised match against [[Jimmy White]] in the [[Masters (snooker)|Benson & Hedges Masters]], which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until [[Ding Junhui]] achieved the same feat in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Yates |title=Snooker: Inscrutable Ding takes maximum break in his stride |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1293073.ece |date=2007-01-15 |work=The Times |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ding claims second 147 break in Masters history |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-428722/Ding-claims-second-147-break-Masters-history.html |date=2007-01-15 |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref> His stylish choice of attire and his youthful 'popstar' good looks made him a ladies' favourite.
Stevens started playing young, achieving his first {{Cuegloss|Century|century break}} aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] aged 21. In 1984 he achieved a maximum 147 break in a televised match against [[Jimmy White]] in the [[Masters (snooker)|Benson & Hedges Masters]], which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until [[Ding Junhui]] achieved the same feat in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Yates |title=Snooker: Inscrutable Ding takes maximum break in his stride |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1293073.ece |date=2007-01-15 |work=The Times |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ding claims second 147 break in Masters history |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-428722/Ding-claims-second-147-break-Masters-history.html |date=2007-01-15 |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref> His stylish choice of attire and his youthful 'popstar' good looks made him a ladies' favourite.


His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African [[Silvino Francisco]] in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match.<ref name="acquits">{{cite web |title=Snooker Association acquits Stevens over drug addiction |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MqlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=r-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2031,5420557&dq=kirk-stevens+world&hl=en |date=1985-10-08 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |page=41 |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref> Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments.<ref name="acquits" /> Stevens never failed a drug test during his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine.<ref name="acquits" />
His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African [[Silvino Francisco]] in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match.<ref name="acquits">{{cite web |title=Snooker Association acquits Stevens over drug addiction |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MqlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=r-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2031,5420557&dq=kirk-stevens+world&hl=en |date=1985-10-08 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |page=41 |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref> Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments.<ref name="acquits" /> Stevens never failed a drug test during his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine.<ref name="acquits" />

Revision as of 08:54, 18 November 2017

For the footballer, see Kirk Stephens.
Kirk Stevens
Born (1958-08-17) August 17, 1958 (age 66)
Sport country Canada
NicknameThe Man in the White Suit[1]
Professional1978–1993, 1998–1999
Highest ranking4 (1984/85)
Best ranking finishRunner-up (1985 British Open)

Kirk Stevens (born August 17, 1958) is a Canadian former professional snooker player.

Career

Stevens started playing young, achieving his first century break aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship aged 21. In 1984 he achieved a maximum 147 break in a televised match against Jimmy White in the Benson & Hedges Masters, which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until Ding Junhui achieved the same feat in 2007.[3][4] His stylish choice of attire and his youthful 'popstar' good looks made him a ladies' favourite.

His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African Silvino Francisco in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match.[5] Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments.[5] Stevens never failed a drug test during his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine.[5]

Although he underwent treatment, his career never really recovered. He dropped out of the top 16 in 1986/87, but continued to play on until 1992/93, before returning home to Canada and retiring from professional tournament play on the world circuit. After returning to Canada, Stevens showed no interest in snooker, instead spending time with his wife and two children, and working in a succession of casual jobs. When these jobs ran out, he ended up unemployed, and returned to playing snooker on the Canadian professional circuit. He won a place on the world professional tour again in 1998/99, but never qualified for the following season. He almost returned for the 2000/01 season, but lost in the North American qualifying final to fellow Canadian Bob Chaperon.[6]

He continues to play snooker in various Canadian events, including charity events. He has won the Canadian Open Championship in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2008. In 2011 he returned to the Crucible Theatre for the first time since 1988 to play in a pre-World Championship "Legends" tournament.

Performance and rankings timeline

Tournament 1976/
77 		1977/
78 		1978/
79 		1979/
80 		1980/
81 		1981/
82 		1982/
83 		1983/
84 		1984/
85 		1985/
86 		1986/
87 		1987/
88 		1988/
89 		1989/
90 		1990/
91 		1991/
92 		1992/
93 		1998/
99
Ranking[7] [nb 1] [nb 1] [nb 2] 19 11 10 6 7 4 5 9 21 37 50 68 58 59 [nb 2]
Ranking tournaments
Grand Prix[nb 3] Tournament Not Held LQ QF QF QF 1R 1R 2R LQ 2R LQ LQ LQ
UK Championship NH Non-Ranking Event SF QF 1R 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ 1R LQ
Irish Open[nb 4] Tournament Not Held 1R LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ
Welsh Open Tournament Not Held 1R LQ LQ
Scottish Open[nb 5] Tournament Not Held NR 1R SF WD 1R LQ 1R 1R WD LQ Not Held LQ LQ
Thailand Masters[nb 6] Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event Not Held LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
China International Tournament Not Held LQ
British Open[nb 7] Not Held Non-Ranking Event F 3R 3R WD LQ 1R 2R LQ LQ LQ
World Championship A A 1R SF 2R QF QF SF 2R QF 1R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
Non-ranking tournaments
Scottish Masters Tournament Not Held QF A A QF A SF A NH A A A A A
Masters A A A A 1R A 1R SF 1R 1R 1R A A A A A A A
Irish Masters A A A A QF A A A QF WD 1R A A A A A A A
Former ranking tournaments
Canadian Masters[nb 8] Non-Ranking Event Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking LQ Tournament Not Held
Classic Not Held Non-Ranking Event QF 3R 1R 2R 1R 1R LQ LQ 1R Not Held
Strachan Open Tournament Not Held LQ MR NH
Dubai Classic[nb 9] Tournament Not Held NR LQ LQ 1R LQ NH
Former non-ranking tournaments
Champion of Champions Not Held A NH RR Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Classic Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
Classic Not Held A A A SF Ranking Event Not Held
UK Championship NH A A A A 2R A A Ranking Event
British Open[nb 10] Not Held A SF RR RR RR Ranking Event
Canadian Masters[nb 11] 1R 1R QF SF SF Tournament Not Held A A A R Tournament Not Held
Australian Masters Not Held A A A A SF QF A A A NH A Tournament Not Held
Pot Black A A A A RR A RR 1R 1R F Tournament Not Held A A NH
Canadian Professional Championship Tournament Not Held QF Not Held W SF QF SF SF QF Tournament Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did not qualify for the tournament A did not participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
NH / Not Held means an event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event means an event is/was a ranking event.
  1. ^ a b He was an amateur.
  2. ^ a b New players on the tour don't have a ranking
  3. ^ The event was also called the Professional Players Tournament (1982/83–1983/1984)
  4. ^ The event was also called the European Open (1988/1989–1992/1993)
  5. ^ The event was also called the Goya Matchroom Trophy and the International Open (1981/1982–1984/1985 & 1986/1987–1992/1993)
  6. ^ The event was also called the Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993)
  7. ^ The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  8. ^ The event was also called the Canadian Open (1978/1979–1980/1981)
  9. ^ The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989)
  10. ^ The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  11. ^ The event was also called the Canadian Open (1976/1977–1980/1981)

Career finals

Ranking event finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 1985 British Open South Africa Silvino Francisco 9–12

Non-ranking event finals: 4 (1 title, 3 runners-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1983 Canadian Professional Championship Canada Frank Jonik 9–8
Runner-up 1. 1984 New Zealand Masters England Jimmy White 3–5
Runner-up 2. 1986 Belgian Classic Wales Terry Griffiths 7–9
Runner-up 3. 1986 Pot Black England Jimmy White 0–2

Amateur event finals: 6 (6 titles)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1978 Canadian Amateur Championship Canada Bob Paquette 10–6
Winner 2. 1997 Canadian Amateur Championship (2) Canada Charlie Brown 6–3
Winner 3. 1998 Canadian Amateur Championship (3) Canada Tom Finstad 7–3
Winner 4. 2000 Canadian Amateur Championship (4) Canada Bob Chaperon 6–3
Winner 5. 2002 Canadian Amateur Championship (5) Canada Cliff Thorburn 6–1
Winner 6. 2008 Canadian Amateur Championship (6) Canada Tom Finstad 6–2

References

  1. ^ "Return of the Man in White". WPBSA. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b http://www.cuetracker.net/Players/Kirk-Stevens/Career-Total-Statistics
  3. ^ Yates, Phil (2007-01-15). "Snooker: Inscrutable Ding takes maximum break in his stride". The Times. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  4. ^ "Ding claims second 147 break in Masters history". Daily Mail. 2007-01-15. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  5. ^ a b c "Snooker Association acquits Stevens over drug addiction". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1985-10-08. p. 41. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  6. ^ "Kirk Stevens". The Guardian. 2002-02-03. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  7. ^ "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
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