Stephen Lee was an English professional widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted cueists of his generation, winning multiple ranking titles and climbing as high as number five in the world rankings during a career that spanned two decades.
Stephen Lee – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 12 October 1974 |
| Nationality: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1992 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 5 |
| Ranking titles: | 5 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 12 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Stephen Lee’s Snooker Career
Stephen Lee turned professional in 1992 on the back of his success in the English Amateur Championship, joining the same intake that produced Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams. Often associated with possessing the most naturally fluent cue action in the game, Lee quickly established himself as a formidable talent.
He claimed his maiden ranking title in 1998 with victory at the Grand Prix, and by the turn of the century he had become a major force on the tour. Further successes followed, including a second Grand Prix triumph under the LG Cup banner in 2001, along with victories at the Scottish Open and the Welsh Open.
Lee reached a career-high ranking of number five in the world, and in 2003 he made his sole appearance at the single-table setup of the World Snooker Championship. That run ended in the semi-finals, where he was defeated 17-8 by Mark Williams.
Despite reaching the final of the Masters in 2008, where he lost to Mark Selby, Lee struggled to maintain consistency and slipped outside the top 16 later that year. His form briefly returned during the 2011/12 campaign, when he regularly featured at the business end of events and captured the PTC Grand Finals in Galway.
At the end of 2012, however, Lee was suspended from professional snooker following an investigation into match-fixing allegations. He was subsequently found guilty of influencing the outcome of seven matches played in 2008 and 2009 and received a 12-year ban, the longest ever imposed in the sport at the time.
That sanction effectively brought an end to a career that had promised far more, leaving Lee remembered as one of snooker’s great unfulfilled talents.
Stephen Lee’s Ranking Titles
Stephen Lee won 5 ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Grand Prix |
| 2001 | LG Cup |
| 2002 | Scottish Open |
| 2006 | Welsh Open |
| 2012 | PTC Grand Finals |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- General Cup (2011)
- Minor ranking events (2010 MIUS Cup, 2012 Asian PTC 2)
- Nations Cup (2000)
Stephen Lee and the Triple Crown
Stephen Lee did not win a Triple Crown title during his professional career, reaching one final at the 2008 Masters.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- 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.
Stephen Lee: ★★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST