2018 Paul Hunter Classic


The 2018 Paul Hunter Classic was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place in August 2018 at the Stadthalle in Fürth, Germany. It was the third ranking event of the 2018/2019 season. The tournament is named in honour of former snooker professional, Paul Hunter.
Michael White was the defending champion; however he lost 1–4 to Zhang Anda in the last 32.
Kyren Wilson won his second ranking tournament, beating Peter Ebdon 4–2 in the final after Ebdon had taken a two-frame lead. Ebdon reached his 18th ranking final at the age of 47 a day before his birthday. It was his first ranking final since 2012. He was the oldest player to reach a ranking event final since 48-year-old Steve Davis reached the final of the 2005 UK Championship.
Michael Georgiou made the 140th official maximum break in the third frame of his last 128 match against Umut Dikme. It was Georgiou's first professional maximum break. Later on the same day Jamie Jones made the 141st official maximum break in the third frame of his last 64 match against Lee Walker. It was also Jones' first professional maximum break.
13 year old amateur Ben Mertens made his debut at a professional ranking tournament with a 4–1 win over Adam Stefanow. He then exited the tournament in the second round.

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:
  • Winner: £20,000
  • Runner up: £10,000
  • Semifinals: £4,500
  • Quarterfinals: £3,000
  • Last 16: £1,725
  • Last 32: £1,000
  • Last 64: £600
  • Total: £100,000
The "rolling 147 prize" for a maximum break stood at £20,000, and was split by both Michael Georgiou, in the last 128 round against Umut Dikme, and Jamie Jones in his last 64 match against Lee Walker. This was both players' first maximum break.

Main rounds

Played from 24 to 26 August 2018. All matches were the best of 7 frames.

Amateur pre-qualifying

These matches were played in Fürth on 22–23 August 2018. All matches were the best of 7 frames.

Century breaks

Main rounds centuries

Total: 43

Amateur pre-qualifying centuries

Total: 6