Ronnie O’Sullivan pays emotional tribute to snooker’s David Beckham on the 20th anniversary of his final Masters triumph

LEGEND Ronnie O’Sullivan has paid tribute to “the David Beckham of snooker” Paul Hunter on the 20th anniversary of his third Masters triumph.

The late star won the crown three times in four years up until 2004 before he died following a battle with cancer aged just 27 in 2006.

PA:Press AssociationPaul Hunter passed away in 2006 after winning the Masters three times in four years[/caption]

GettyRonnie O’Sullivan paid tribute to the man dubbed ‘the Beckham of snooker’[/caption]

Hunter’s triumphs all came in dramatic fashion in 10-9 deciders – with O’Sullivan himself the man beaten back two decades ago at the invitational.

“The Rocket” has since gone on to achieve icon status in the game, smashing a host of snooker records.

But ahead of his winning start to landing an eighth title against Ding Junhui yesterday, the 48-year-old was keen to honour the memory of Hunter.

O’Sullivan said: “Paul was an unbelievable talent. He definitely had that star power and transcended the game.

“He was the Beckham of snooker, wasn’t he? He was a good looking boy. He always had a smile on his face and was a good lad.

“He was brilliant for the game, he was a lovely lad and had a lovely family. I had some good times and some good memories with Paul.

“He will never be forgotten, all the players loved him. He will always be in the hearts of the snooker players and everybody who knew him.”

Hunter’s legacy was honoured in 2017 when the waterfront crystal Masters trophy was renamed in his memory.

And that famous clash with O’Sullivan, in which Hunter came from 6-1 down to win, is considered by many to be the greatest game of all-time.

‘The Rocket’ also claimed that the mid-2000s period that saw him, Hunter, Mark Williams, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Matthew Stevens battling it out for the top prizes was when the sport was at its peak.

He added: “I’ve always said that snooker enjoyed a golden era when Hendry, Higgins, Williams, Stevens, the great Paul Hunter and myself were battling it out. I truly believe that was the best top six ever.”

Meanwhile, former champion Alan Mcmanus has also paid tribute, 30 years on from his own Masters triumph, to Hunter on the anniversary of his third victory.

He said: “I remember one year there was an evening for all the former winners and they invited Kirk Stevens because he made the first ever Masters 147.

“It was amazing to be among those players. Because you have to be a special player to win the Masters. I wasn’t, but the rest were all special players.

“It would be great if they did another one. But one regret I would have would be that Paul Hunter wouldn’t be there.

“He’s an icon of the game. He was some player. He would be there in spirit with the trophy.

“These things are important to snooker people, if the game’s inside you like it is for me.”

PA:Press AssociationHunter trgically died aged 27 after a battle with cancer[/caption]

GettyFellow snooker star Alan McManus also paid tribute to the late icon[/caption]