# 1998 UK Championship

The 1998 UK Championship (officially the 1998 Liverpool Victoria UK Championship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place at the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England. The event started on 16 November 1998 and the televised stages were shown on BBC between 21 and 29 November 1998.
This was the first UK championship to be held in Bournemouth since the inaugural championship in 1977, after 20 years at Preston. The Conference Centre has held snooker competitions before. It hosted the World Cup between 1985 and 1990, the Mercantile Credit Classic in 1991 and 1992, the International Open in 1994 and 1995, and the Grand Prix in 1996 and 1997.
Famously five time champion Stephen Hendry lost 9–0 in the first round to fellow scottish player Marcus Campbell.
Ronnie O'Sullivan was the defending champion, but he withdrew before the tournament. His doctor had told him to rest after suffering from physical and nervous exhaustion.
John Higgins won this year's title by defeating Matthew Stevens 10–6 in the final to go with the World Championship crown he won earlier in the year. This was Higgins' 10th ranking title.

## Tournament summary

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was the number 1 seed with World Champion John Higgins seeded 2. The remaining places were allocated to players based on the world rankings.

## Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:

## Main draw
### Top half

| Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | | Semi-final Best of 17 frames | Semi-final Best of 17 frames | Semi-final Best of 17 frames |
| 1 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | w/d | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 70 | John Read | w/o | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 70 | John Read | w/o | 70 | John Read | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 40 | Rod Lawler | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 31 | Jamie Burnett | 4 | 40 | Rod Lawler | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 40 | Rod Lawler | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 40 | Rod Lawler | 9 | | | | 40 | Rod Lawler | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 | | | | | | | 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 44 | Bradley Jones | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 44 | Bradley Jones | 7 | 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 9 | Stephen Lee | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Stephen Lee | 9 | 9 | Stephen Lee | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 79 | Steve Judd | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 79 | Steve Judd | 4 | | | | | | | | 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 78 | Matthew Couch | 5 | | | | |
| 15 | James Wattana | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | 78 | Matthew Couch | 5 | | | | |
| 78 | Matthew Couch | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 78 | Matthew Couch | 9 | 78 | Matthew Couch | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 377 | Marco Fu | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 17 | Gary Wilkinson | 4 | 377 | Marco Fu | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 377 | Marco Fu | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 377 | Marco Fu | 9 | | | | 78 | Matthew Couch | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 193 | Michael Holt | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| 30 | Graeme Dott | 9 | | | | | | | 193 | Michael Holt | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| 59 | Gerard Greene | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 59 | Gerard Greene | 3 | 30 | Graeme Dott | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 193 | Michael Holt | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Alan McManus | 7 | 193 | Michael Holt | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 193 | Michael Holt | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 193 | Michael Holt | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | Matthew Stevens | 9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | Dave Harold | 7 |
| 5 | Mark Williams | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | Dave Harold | 7 |
| 81 | Jimmy Michie | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 81 | Jimmy Michie | 3 | 5 | Mark Williams | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 23 | Dominic Dale | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 23 | Dominic Dale | 9 | 23 | Dominic Dale | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 61 | David Gray | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 61 | David Gray | 4 | | | | 5 | Mark Williams | 4 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 19 | Dave Harold | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 19 | Dave Harold | 9 | | | | | | | 19 | Dave Harold | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 57 | Dene O'Kane | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 57 | Dene O'Kane | 6 | 19 | Dave Harold | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 13 | Nigel Bond | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Nigel Bond | 9 | 13 | Nigel Bond | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 53 | Peter Lines | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 53 | Peter Lines | 6 | | | | | | | | 19 | Dave Harold | 9 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 4 | | | | |
| 11 | Anthony Hamilton | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 4 | | | | |
| 47 | Tony Chappel | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 47 | Tony Chappel | 4 | 11 | Anthony Hamilton | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 9 | 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 62 | Paul Wykes | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 62 | Paul Wykes | 2 | | | | 20 | Fergal O'Brien | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Ken Doherty | 7 | | | | | | | | |
| 28 | Martin Clark | 9 | | | | | | | 4 | Ken Doherty | 7 | | | | | | | | |
| 74 | Joe Perry | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 74 | Joe Perry | 8 | 28 | Martin Clark | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Ken Doherty | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Ken Doherty | 9 | 4 | Ken Doherty | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 94 | John Lardner | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

### Bottom half

| Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 1 (Last 64) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 2 (Last 32) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | Round 3 (Last 16) Best of 17 frames | | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | Quarter-finals Best of 17 frames | | Semi-final Best of 17 frames | Semi-final Best of 17 frames | Semi-final Best of 17 frames |
| 3 | Stephen Hendry | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 73 | Marcus Campbell | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 73 | Marcus Campbell | 9 | 73 | Marcus Campbell | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 45 | Quinten Hann | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 32 | Billy Snaddon | 3 | 45 | Quinten Hann | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 45 | Quinten Hann | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 45 | Quinten Hann | 9 | | | | 73 | Marcus Campbell | 7 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14 | Steve Davis | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 21 | Andy Hicks | 9 | | | | | | | 14 | Steve Davis | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 213 | John Whitty | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 213 | John Whitty | 6 | 21 | Andy Hicks | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 14 | Steve Davis | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Steve Davis | 9 | 14 | Steve Davis | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 97 | Graham Horne | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 97 | Graham Horne | 4 | | | | | | | | 14 | Steve Davis | 4 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | | | | |
| 16 | Mark King | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | | | | |
| 36 | Joe Swail | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 36 | Joe Swail | 9 | 36 | Joe Swail | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 50 | Lee Walker | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 50 | Lee Walker | 3 | | | | 24 | Paul Hunter | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18 | Jimmy White | 2 | | | | | | | | |
| 18 | Jimmy White | 9 | | | | | | | 18 | Jimmy White | 2 | | | | | | | | |
| 42 | Jonathan Birch | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 42 | Jonathan Birch | 7 | 18 | Jimmy White | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 41 | Paul Davies | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Peter Ebdon | 4 | 41 | Paul Davies | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 41 | Paul Davies | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 41 | Paul Davies | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | Paul Hunter | 4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 |
| 6 | John Parrott | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 |
| 38 | Euan Henderson | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 38 | Euan Henderson | 8 | 6 | John Parrott | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 37 | Steve James | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 22 | Darren Morgan | 7 | 37 | Steve James | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 37 | Steve James | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 37 | Steve James | 9 | | | | 6 | John Parrott | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 75 | Gary Ponting | 6 | | | | | | | | |
| 25 | Chris Small | 7 | | | | | | | 75 | Gary Ponting | 6 | | | | | | | | |
| 150 | Patrick Wallace | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 150 | Patrick Wallace | 9 | 150 | Patrick Wallace | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 75 | Gary Ponting | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Tony Drago | 8 | 75 | Gary Ponting | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 75 | Gary Ponting | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 75 | Gary Ponting | 9 | | | | | | | | 6 | John Parrott | 6 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | |
| 12 | Alain Robidoux | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | |
| 89 | Lee Richardson | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 89 | Lee Richardson | 9 | 89 | Lee Richardson | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 29 | Terry Murphy | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 29 | Terry Murphy | 9 | 29 | Terry Murphy | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 34 | Neal Foulds | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 34 | Neal Foulds | 3 | | | | 29 | Terry Murphy | 3 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 27 | Brian Morgan | 9 | | | | | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| 63 | Tony Jones | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 63 | Tony Jones | 4 | 27 | Brian Morgan | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2 | John Higgins | 9 | 2 | John Higgins | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 48 | David Roe | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

## Final

Final: Best of 19 frames. Referee: Alan Chamberlain. Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England, 29 November 1998. :
| Matthew Stevens (26) Wales | 6–10 | John Higgins (2) Scotland |
| Afternoon: 0–86, 36–62, 68–31 (52), 48–69, 91–0 (62), 11–68 (50), 105–10 (105), 61–60 (Higgins 60) Evening: 72–22 (66), 36–87 (73), 0–84 (84), 6–70, 0–107 (107), 76–34, 23–81, 0–90 (90) |||
| 105 | Highest break | 107 |
| 1 | Century breaks | 1 |
| 4 | 50+ breaks | 6 |