Darren Morgan

Last updated

Darren Morgan
Darren Morgan.jpg
Darren Morgan at the 2008 European Snooker Championship
Born (1967-05-03) 3 May 1967 (age 57)
Newport, Wales
Sport countryFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Professional1988–2006
Highest ranking 8 (1994–951995–96)
Century breaks 111
Best ranking finishRunner-up (×2)
Medal record
Men's snooker
Representing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
World Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2022 Birmingham Singles

Darren Morgan (born 3 May 1966) is a Welsh former professional snooker player who now competes as an amateur and is considered amongst the best in the world.

Contents

Morgan won the World Amateur Championship in 1987 and played on the professional main tour from 1988 until 2006. He reached a high ranking of eight and was ranked within the top 16 for six years despite never winning a ranking event. He compiled 111 century breaks in his career. [1]

Career

Morgan was born in Newport, South Wales

His best achievements as a professional were to win the Irish Masters in 1996, beating Steve Davis 9–8 in the final, and he captained Wales to victory in the 1999 Nations Cup. He was also a semi-finalist in the 1994 World Championship, beating Mark King 10–5, Willie Thorne 13–12 and John Parrott 13–11 before losing to Jimmy White 9–16. He was also a quarter-finalist on three occasions, beating Ken Doherty and Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1996 and 1997 respectively at the Crucible. When he beat O'Sullivan in 1997 it was in the round after O'Sullivan had scored his memorable 5 minute and 8 seconds 147 break against Mick Price.

Morgan still plays in amateur and pro-am events, and won the EBSA Masters and World Masters Championship titles in 2007. On 22 October 2009 he won the TCC Pro-Am by beating fellow Welshman Mark Williams 7–4 in the final. [2]

On 23 November 2009 Morgan won his second IBSF World Snooker Championship in the Masters section, defeating three-time defending champion Dene O'Kane of New Zealand 6–0 in the final. [3]

Morgan entered the 2010 World Open as an amateur along with fellow senior Tony Knowles and caused an upset by reaching the last 64 of the competition, before narrowly losing to former world number four Matthew Stevens 3–2 in round three.

In November 2011, he entered the World Seniors Championships in Peterborough and came away with victory over Steve Davis in the final. Morgan beat former world champion Cliff Thorburn and 'Whirlwind' Jimmy White in the previous rounds before facing the six-times world champion in the final. In fact, Morgan had to win qualifying matches just to reach the final stages of the tournament. He beat Davis 2–1 in the final and came home to his Club in Cross Keys with the trophy.

In June 2016, as a wildcard entry to the Riga Masters having won the EBSA European Open title several weeks prior, Morgan overcame Bradley Jones 4–3, Adam Stefanow 4–2, Zhao Xintong 4–1, Doherty 4–3 and Xiao Guodong 4–2 to set up a semi-final encounter with Neil Robertson. Appearing at this stage of a ranking event for the first time since 2002, and becoming the oldest ranking semi-finalist since Rex Williams in 1986, Morgan was whitewashed 5–0 by the eventual champion. [4]

Morgan made a maximum break of 147 against Gareth Edwards in an amateur Seniors event in 2023; this possibly makes him the oldest player to achieve a maximum break in competition. [5]

Personal life

He lives with his wife, Tracy, and their three daughters in Newbridge, and owns a nearby snooker club and sports shop that provides printing, embroidery, trophies and engraving in Crosskeys, Newport, named The Red Triangle, where he coaches young players. Darren now lives in a mansion in Pentwynmawr, Newbridge where he is starting up a property portfolio [6]

Performance and rankings timeline

Tournament 1988/
89
1989/
90
1990/
91
1991/
92
1992/
93
1993/
94
1994/
95
1995/
96
1996/
97
1997/
98
1998/
99
1999/
00
2000/
01
2001/
02
2002/
03
2003/
04
2004/
05
2005/
06
2010/
11
2011/
12
2012/
13
2013/
14
2014/
15
2015/
16
2016/
17
2017/
18
Ranking [7] [nb 1] 53 40 33 16 10 8 8 9 15 22 23 25 39 54 63 75 66 [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2] [nb 2]
Ranking tournaments
Riga Masters [nb 3] Tournament Not HeldMinor-Rank SF A
World Open [nb 4] LQ 1R 2R 1R 2R 2R 2R 3R 3R 3R 3R 1R 1R LQLQLQ 1R 2R LQAAAAAAA
European Masters [nb 5] LQ 1R 2R QF 3R 2R 2R 2R 2R NHLQNot HeldLQLQLQLQLQTournament Not HeldAA
UK Championship LQLQ 2R 3R QF SF QF 2R 1R 3R 1R QF 1R LQLQLQLQLQAAAAAAAA
Scottish Open [nb 6] LQ 1R Not Held 1R 3R 3R 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R WDLQLQLQTournament Not HeldAA
German Masters [nb 7] Tournament Not Held QF 2R 1R NRTournament Not HeldAAAAAAAA
Welsh Open Not Held F 1R 3R 2R QF 1R 1R 1R 1R LQLQLQLQLQLQAAAAAAALQ
China Open [nb 8] Tournament Not HeldNRLQLQLQ QF Not HeldLQLQAAAAAAAA
World Championship 1R QF LQLQ 2R SF 2R QF QF 2R 1R 1R LQLQLQLQLQLQAAAAAAAA
Non-ranking tournaments
Six-red World Championship Tournament Not Held 2R NH 2R RR AA 2R RR
The Masters AALQLQ WR 1R 1R QF 1R 1R LQLQLQLQLQLQAAAAAAAAAA
World Seniors Championship Not HeldLQTournament Not HeldA W SF QF QF F AA
Former ranking tournaments
Canadian Masters 1R Tournament Not Held
Hong Kong Open [nb 9] NHLQTournament Not HeldNRNRTournament Not Held
Classic LQ 3R LQ 3R Tournament Not Held
Strachan Open Not Held 3R MRNRTournament Not Held
Dubai Classic [nb 10] NR 1R 3R 3R 2R 2R 2R 2R 1R Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix Tournament Not HeldNon-Ranking EventLQNRTournament Not Held
Thailand Masters [nb 11] NH 1R 2R 1R F QF QF 1R 1R 1R SF LQ 1R LQNRTournament Not Held
British Open 2R 2R 1R 3R 3R 3R 2R QF 2R 1R 2R 2R 1R LQLQLQLQTournament Not Held
Irish Masters Non-Ranking EventLQLQLQTournament Not Held
Former non-ranking tournaments
New Zealand Masters QF AAAAAATournament Not Held
Shoot-Out Not Held W Tournament Not HeldAAAAAARanking
European Grand Masters Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
World Masters Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Welsh Professional Championship QF W W Tournament Not Held
World Matchplay AAAA 1R Tournament Not Held
Pot Black AAAAA 2R Tournament Not HeldATournament Not Held
King's Cup Not HeldANHA F ATournament Not Held
Charity Challenge Tournament Not Held 1R QF 1R AAAAATournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix Tournament Not HeldA SF QF AARATournament Not Held
Scottish Masters NHA QF AAA 1R SF 1R LQAAAAATournament Not Held
Irish Masters AAAAAAA 1R W F AAAARanking EventTournament Not Held
Pontins Professional W QF QF QF F A SF SF A QF QF W Tournament Not Held
Masters Qualifying Event [nb 12] Not Held SF F MRAAAA 4R 4R 1R 2R 3R 2R ANHAAATournament Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQlost in the qualifying draw#Rlost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)
QFlost in the quarter-finals
SFlost in the semi–finalsFlost in the finalWwon the tournament
DNQdid not qualify for the tournamentAdid not participate in the tournamentWDwithdrew from the tournament
NH / Not Heldmeans an event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was a ranking event.
MR / Minor-Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
  1. New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 He was an amateur.
  3. The event ran under different names such as the Riga Open (2014/2015 to 2015/2016).
  4. The event ran under different names such as the Grand Prix (1987/1988 to 2000/2001) and the LG Cup (2001/2002 to 2003/2004).
  5. The event ran under different names such as European Open (1988/1989 to 1996/1997 and 2001/2002 to 2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999).
  6. The event ran under different names such as International Open (1987/1988 to 1996/1997) and Players Championship (2003/2004).
  7. The event ran under different names such as German Open (1994/1995 to 1996/1997).
  8. The event ran under different names as China International (1997/1998 and 1998/1999)
  9. The event ran under different names as Australian Open (1994/1995) and Australian Masters (1995/1996).
  10. The event run under different names as Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Thailand Classic (1995/1996) and Asian Classic (1996/1997)
  11. The event ran under different names such as Asian Open (1989/1990 to 1992/1993) and Thailand Open (1993/1994 to 1996/1997).
  12. The event was also called the Benson & Hedges Championship (1990/1991–2002/2003)

Career finals

Ranking finals: 2

OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScore
Runner-up1. 1992 Welsh Open Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Hendry 3–9
Runner-up2. 1993 Asian Open Flag of England.svg Dave Harold 3–9

Non-ranking finals:14 (7 titles)

OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScore
Winner1. 1989 Pontins Professional Flag of Malta.svg Tony Drago 9–2
Runner-up1.1989WPBSA Invitational - Event 1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robby Foldvari 1–8
Winner2. 1990 Welsh Professional Championship Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Doug Mountjoy 9–7
Winner3. 1990 Shoot-Out Flag of England.svg Mike Hallett 2–1
Winner4. 1991 Welsh Professional Championship (2) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Bennett 9–3
Runner-up2. 1991 Benson & Hedges Championship Flag of Ireland.svg Ken Doherty 3–9
Runner-up3. 1993 Pontins Professional Flag of Ireland.svg Ken Doherty 3–9
Runner-up4. 1993 King's Cup Flag of Thailand.svg James Wattana 3–8
Winner5. 1996 Irish Masters Flag of England.svg Steve Davis 9–8
Runner-up5. 1997 Irish Masters Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Hendry 8–9
Winner6. 2000 Pontins Professional (2) Flag of England.svg Jimmy White 9–2
Winner7. 2011 World Seniors Championship Flag of England.svg Steve Davis 2–1
Runner-up6. 2016 World Seniors Championship Flag of England.svg Mark Davis 1–2
Runner-up7. 2019 World Seniors Championship (2) Flag of England.svg Jimmy White 3–5

Team finals: 2 (1 title)

OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipTeam/partnerOpponent(s) in the finalScore
Winner1. 1999 Nations Cup Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 6–4
Runner-up1. 2000 Nations Cup Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England 4–6

Pro-am finals: 7 (2 titles)

OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScore
Runner-up1.1989Dutch Open Flag of England.svg Mike Hallett 5–6 [8]
Runner-up2.1996 Pontins Spring Open Flag of Ireland.svg Ken Doherty 3–7
Runner-up3.1999TCC Open Snooker Championship Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ryan Day 4–6 [9]
Winner1.2000TCC Open Snooker Championship Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ryan Day 6–3 [9]
Runner-up4.2003TCC Open Snooker Championship (2) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Williams 1–6 [9]
Runner-up5.2004TCC Open Snooker Championship (3) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Williams 6–7 [9]
Winner2.2009TCC Open Snooker Championship (2) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Williams 7–4

Amateur finals: 35 (29 titles)

OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScore
Winner1.1987 Welsh Amateur Championship Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg John Herbert8–4
Winner2.1987 World Amateur Championship Flag of Malta.svg Joe Grech11–4
Winner3.2007 European Amateur Championship - Masters Ulster Banner.svg Kieran McMahon6–2
Winner4.2007 World Amateur Championship - Masters Flag of Thailand.svg Kanchai Wongjan9–1
Runner-up1.2009 Welsh Amateur Championship Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Michael White 2–8
Winner5.2009 European Amateur Championship - Masters (2) Flag of Ireland.svg Joe Delaney 6–3
Winner6.2009Bargoed Labour Club Invitational Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Sargeant5–4 [10]
Winner7.2009 World Amateur Championship - Masters (2) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dene O'Kane 6–0
Winner8.2010 European Amateur Championship - Masters (3) Flag of Ireland.svg Joe Delaney 6–0
Winner9.2012 European Amateur Championship - Masters (4) Flag of England.svg Steve Judd6–0
Winner10.2012 World Amateur Championship - Masters (3) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Glen Wilkinson 6–2
Winner11.2013 European Amateur Championship - Masters (5) Flag of Ukraine.svg Alan Trigg6–3
Runner-up2.2014 World Amateur Championship - Masters Flag of Thailand.svg Phisit Chandsri5–6
Winner12.2015 Welsh Amateur Championship (2) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel Wells 8–0
Winner13.2015 European Amateur Championship - Masters (6) Flag of England.svg Jamie Bodle6–2
Runner-up3.2016 Welsh Amateur Championship (2) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg David John 7–8
Winner14.2016European Snooker Open Flag of Israel.svg Shachar Ruberg4–1
Winner15.2016 European Amateur Championship - Masters (7) Flag of Ireland.svg Brendan Thomas6–0
Winner16.2016IBSF World 6-Reds Snooker Championship Flag of Hong Kong.svg Chau Hon Man6–4
Runner-up4.2017 Welsh Amateur Championship (3) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Rhydian Richards4–8
Winner17.2017European Snooker Open (2) Flag of Ireland.svg Michael Judge 4–1
Winner18.2017 European Amateur Championship - Masters (8) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Elfed Evans6–2
Winner19.2017IBSF World 6-Reds Snooker Championship (2) Flag of India.svg Kamal Chawla6–4
Winner20.2017 World Amateur Championship - Masters (4) Flag of England.svg Aiden Owens6–3
Runner-up5.2018 WSF Seniors Championship Flag of Brazil.svg Igor Figueiredo 3–5
Winner21.2018European Snooker Shoot-Out Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Tom Zimmermann1–0
Winner22.2018 European Amateur Championship - Masters (9) Flag of Ireland.svg John Farrell4–2
Winner23.2018 World Amateur Championship - Masters (5) Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg Saleh Mohammadi6–0
Winner24.2019 Welsh Amateur Championship (3) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Lewis8–2
Winner25.2019 European Amateur Championship - Masters (10) Flag of Ukraine.svg Alan Trigg4–2
Runner-up6.2020European 6-Reds Championship Flag of Ukraine.svg Iulian Boiko 3–5
Winner26.2021 European Amateur Championship - Masters (11) Flag of Ireland.svg Frank Sarsfield 4–0
Winner27.2022 European Amateur Championship - Masters (12) Flag of England.svg Wayne Brown4–3
Winner28.2022 Welsh Amateur Championship (4) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Liam Davies 8–2
Winner29.2023 European Amateur Championship - Masters (13) Flag of England.svg Gary Milne5–3

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References

  1. Turner, Chris (2008). "Top Century Makers". Snooker Archive. self-published. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
  2. Global Snooker: 2009 TCC Pro-Am (Results) Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. The Hindu: Kamal Chawla’s run comes to an end; Morgan is the master
  4. "CueTracker - Darren Morgan - Season 2019-2020 - Professional Results - Snooker Results & Statistics Database".
  5. "Darren Morgan finally hits a competitive 147 at the age of 56". South Wales Argus. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  6. Wales Online: Meet snooker star Darren Morgan
  7. "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  8. "Hallett wins a Dutch thriller". Pot Black. Brentwood: Pot Black Publishing. July 1989. p. 29.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "2008 TCC Open Snooker Championship". Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  10. Global Snooker: 2009 Bargoed Labour Club Invitational (Results) Archived 27 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine