Mark King was an English professional best known for his longevity on the Main Tour and his breakthrough ranking title victory at the 2016 Northern Ireland Open after more than two decades as a professional.
Mark King – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 28 March 1974 |
| Nationality: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1991 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 11 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 7 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Mark King’s Snooker Career
Mark King turned professional in 1991 and went on to enjoy one of the longest careers on the Main Tour, remaining a regular presence for more than 30 years. A determined and competitive player, he established himself as a consistent performer rather than a prolific break-builder.
King made steady progress through the rankings during the mid-1990s and reached his first ranking event final at the 1997 Welsh Open. Although he was heavily beaten by Stephen Hendry in the final, the run helped him break into the top 16 at the end of the 1997/98 season.
Over the following years, King largely maintained his position among the game’s established professionals, reaching a career-high ranking of world number 11 and appearing regularly in the latter stages of ranking events.
A second ranking final followed in 2004 at the Irish Masters, where he finished runner-up to Peter Ebdon. Despite further deep runs, a first ranking title remained elusive well into the latter stages of his career.
That long wait finally ended at the 2016 Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. King produced a memorable comeback in the final, recovering from 5-1 down to defeat Barry Hawkins in a deciding frame and secure his maiden ranking event victory.
The win represented the defining moment of King’s professional career and was widely regarded as one of the most emotional breakthrough victories of the modern era.
Several years later, however, King received a five-year ban from professional snooker after being found guilty of match-fixing offences, bringing his long-standing career on the Main Tour to an effective end.
Mark King’s Ranking Titles
Mark King won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Northern Ireland Open |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Fürth German Open (2005)
- Austrian Open (2005)
Mark King and the Triple Crown
Mark King won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- 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.
Mark King: ★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST