Cliff Thorburn Triumphs in Seniors Masters

Cliff Thorburn rolled back the years to claim the inaugural Seniors Masters title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The Canadian, who memorably won the Masters three times in four years between 1983 and 1986, overcame Jonathan Bagley in the final after potting the re-spotted black.

Thorburn had earlier received a bye in the quarter-finals after the late withdrawal of 1986 world champion Joe Johnson, who was taken ill and admitted to hospital. The 70-year-old faced John Parrott in the last four, and a break of 51 helped him to a 2–0 win over the Liverpudlian.

Bagley, who had also reached the final of the Irish Seniors Masters that season, got there with wins over Dennis Taylor and Michael Judge, who had knocked out favourite Stephen Hendry in a tense last-eight clash settled when the Scot went in-off on the final black.

Bagley took the lead in the final, but Thorburn levelled and, after a long and tense safety battle, the Grinder completed a routine pot to seal the title, to the delight of the crowd. As the black dropped he raised his arms over his head, just as he had after his famous maiden 147 at the Crucible more than three decades earlier.

“It’s very meaningful for me being back here at the Crucible. Jonathan actually beat me the last few times but I just felt good being here – there are lots of good memories here.”

“I’m 70 now and I get a little nervy but I’m just so proud to win the first John Spencer Trophy. John helped me to turn pro and he was a great friend for all of my life, he was a classy individual.”

Cliff Thorburn

With Thorburn winning the Seniors Masters, Steve Davis the Irish Seniors Masters and Jimmy White the UK Seniors Championship, the inaugural World Seniors Tour season showed there is plenty of competitive spirit left in the legends of the game.