World Matchplay (snooker)

The World Matchplay was a professional ranking snooker tournament that was held annually from 1952 to 1957. It was a significant event in the early history of professional snooker and is considered one of the predecessors to the modern World Snooker Championship.

The tournament involved a small number of invited players, typically the leading professionals of the time. Matches were played over extended frames, often spanning several days. The format was a knockout competition.

The inaugural event in 1952 was won by Fred Davis, who went on to dominate the tournament, winning every edition until its discontinuation after the 1957 event. The relatively short run of the World Matchplay was due in part to financial constraints and the fluctuating popularity of snooker during that period.

The tournament should not be confused with other sports events with similar names. While sharing the name "World Matchplay," the snooker tournament is distinct from events in sports such as darts or golf. It holds historical significance as an early major tournament in professional snooker's development.