Ken Doherty is a former world snooker champion and one of the most consistent all-round competitors of the modern era.
Ken Doherty – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 17 September 1969 |
| Nationality: | Ireland |
| Turned professional: | 1990 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 2 |
| Ranking titles: | 6 |
| World Championship titles: | 1 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 1 |
| Masters appearances: | 17 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 1 |
Ken Doherty’s Snooker Career
Ken Doherty orchestrated a highly respectable career during one of the strongest eras in professional snooker history. After landing both the World Amateur Championship and the World Under-21 Amateur Championship in 1989, the Irishman turned professional the following year.
It took just three seasons for Doherty to capture his first ranking title, defeating Alan McManus 9-7 to win the 1993 Welsh Open. That breakthrough propelled him into the top 16, where he would remain a near-constant presence for more than a decade.
Competing against the likes of Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams at their peaks, Doherty earned a reputation as one of the finest all-round match players of his generation, picking up the nickname “Crafty Ken”. The pinnacle of his career came in 1997, when he produced a memorable run at the Crucible Theatre to defeat defending champion Hendry and capture the World Championship title.
Although his Triple Crown haul was ultimately limited to that single triumph, Doherty reached multiple major finals and remained a formidable presence at the sport’s biggest events throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Following his final ranking success at the 2006 Malta Cup, Doherty’s on-table results gradually declined.
He has since become a respected broadcaster and pundit, while continuing to compete professionally via invitational tour cards.
Ken Doherty’s Ranking Titles
Ken Doherty won a total of six ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Welsh Open |
| 1997 | World Snooker Championship |
| 2000 | Malta Grand Prix |
| 2001 | Welsh Open |
| 2001 | Thailand Masters |
| 2006 | Malta Cup |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Premier League (1996, 1998)
- Irish Masters (1998)
- Scottish Masters (1993, 1994)
- Pot Black (2007)
- Pontins Professional (1993, 1994, 1996)
- UK Seniors Championship (2018)
Ken Doherty and the Triple Crown
Ken Doherty captured one Triple Crown title during his career, lifting the World Championship trophy in 1997.
- World Championship: 1 title (1997)
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Ken Doherty: ★★★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST