The Grinder — the first World Champion from outside the British Isles, and the first player to make a maximum 147 break at the World Championship.
Cliff Thorburn won the World Snooker Championship in 1980, becoming the first non-British player to lift the trophy. In 1983 he became the first player to make a maximum 147 break at the Crucible — a feat that took him 25 minutes and received a standing ovation from the full arena. He was known as "The Grinder" for his patient, methodical approach.
His maximum break at the 1983 World Championship took 25 minutes and received a standing ovation — the first time a 147 had been completed in front of a packed Crucible audience.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- World Champion 1980 (first non-British)
- First World Championship maximum 147