English · Stoke-on-Trent, England · Born 9 December 1966English professional snooker player nicknamed 'The Stoke Potter', who became the lowest-ranked player ever to win a ranking event at the 1993 Asian Open.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent on 9 December 1966, David Harold turned professional in 1991 and quickly built a reputation for tough, defensive play backed by an unusual cue action that generated power without a conventional backswing. Harold's defining achievement came in only his second season as a professional: entering the 1993 Asian Open ranked 93rd in the world, he beat Dene O'Kane, Stephen Hendry, Paul Tanner and Paul Davies to win the title in Bangkok, becoming the lowest-ranked player to win a ranking event. He reached a second ranking final at the 1994 Grand Prix, losing to John Higgins, and did not reach a third final until 2008. He spent four seasons in the world's top 16 between 1995/96 and 2001/02, reaching a career-high ranking of world number 11 in 1996/97, and compiled 143 century breaks over his career — 22nd on the all-time list at the time. He was a UK Championship semi-finalist in 1998 and a Masters semi-finalist in 2001. Harold remained on the tour until 2015, becoming an occasional Sky Sports pundit and commentator, remembered as one of the toughest defensive-minded professionals of his generation.
Becoming the lowest-ranked player to win a ranking event, at the 1993 Asian Open
How They Played
Strong defensive, safety-oriented game with an unconventional cue action
Lasting Impact
Known for his tough defensive game and distinctive cue action