2023 was another remarkable year of snooker action, with an unforgettable World Championship, more history for Ronnie O’Sullivan and surprise champions popping up on a regular basis over the 12 months.
It feels an awful long time ago that Judd Trump battled to the Masters title in January, with plenty going on even since Luca Brecel upset the odds to become world champion in May.
There have been countless impressive performances on the baize over the last year, from the amateur game to the highest level, with big names shining and new faces emerging.
With as many of those notable displays in mind as possible, here are the 23 players of 2023.
23. Pang Junxu
One of the rising stars of the game, the 23-year-old reached his first quarter-final, semi-final and then final at the German Masters, Welsh Open and WST Classic over February and March this year.
Pang then made it to the Crucible for the first time and pushed Ronnie O’Sullivan hard. He’s not had an amazing season so far, but he is into the world’s top 32 and on his way up the rankings.
22. Ma Hailong
It may not have been the greatest field ever, but Ma Hailong still emerged as the WSF Championship winner back in February, earning himself a place on the World Snooker Tour by winning (arguably) the most significant amateur title in the sport.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a run to the last 16 of the British Open and beat Ryan Day at the Northern Ireland Open, showing that he could have a bright future on tour.
21. Baipat Siripaporn
There was something of a surprise at the 2023 Women’s World Championship as Baipat Siripaporn emerged as the winner, beating Chinese star Bai Yulu in the final.
Baipat beat her friend and defending champion Mink Nutcharut in the semis before defeating Bai – who is widely tipped for a very bright future in the sport – in the showpiece.
20. Stan Moody
Stan Moody confirmed himself as one of the brightest young talents in the game by winning the WSF Junior Championship in February, and then making the final of the WSF Championship, where he lost to Ma.
Still only 17, he has started to shine on the main tour, reaching the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open, with impressive wins over Zhou Yuelong and Gary Wilson along the way.
19. Kyren Wilson
It has not been one of Kyren Wilson’s better years as he didn’t stick any more silverware in his trophy cabinet, but a Tour Championship final and Players Championship semi-final show that he was mixing it with the best in the world.
The Warrior also joined a very special club by knocking in a 147 at the Crucible in his first round win over Ryan Day at the World Championship.
18. Jimmy White
Another fascinating chapter was added to the amazing story of Jimmy White in 2023 as he won the World Seniors Championship for a fourth time, but also shone on the main tour.
At 60 years of age the Whirlwind made the last 16 of the German Masters and WST Classic in 2023, beating the likes of Judd Trump, Joe Perry and Graeme Dott along the way. Now 61, White is on the tour thanks to his wins rather than an invitational card.
17. Tom Ford
Two ranking finals for Tom Ford in 2023 represents a very good year for the 40-year-old, who had only ever been to one big final beforehand.
Ford fell short at the German Masters and International Championship but he made his debut in the world’s top 16 at 40 years old.
16. Si Jiahui
Si Jiahui actually had a fairly quiet 2023, other than an unforgettable April in Sheffield as he came from nowhere to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship.
Just 20 at the time, Si had to win three matches just to make the Crucible and there he downed Shaun Murphy, Rob Milkins and Anthony McGill before taking a 14-5 lead over Luca Brecel in the semis. He finally showed weakness and lost to the eventual champion, but it was a stunning run nevertheless.
15. John Higgins
Such are the standards of John Higgins that 2023 seems like a bad year, but he has been to a string of big semi-finals and won the Invitational Championship League.
At 48 years old he is still ranked number 12 in the world and, although not as consistently as he once was, playing some fantastic stuff.
14. Ding Junhui
After a couple of years in the doldrums, Ding Junhui looks to be returning towards his brilliant best on a more regular basis. Still not close to his peak of the past, but 2023 was encouraging for his huge fanbase.
Another UK Championship final, where he pushed Ronnie O’Sullivan hard, was the highlight, while he managed multiple deep runs elsewhere and picked up the Six-reds World Championship.
13. Chris Wakelin
After 10 steady but unspectacular years on tour, Chris Wakelin levelled up in 2023 thanks to winning the Shoot Out in January.
Getting his first title in the bag has boosted his confidence and the 31-year-old is a different prospect now, as he proved by reaching the Northern Ireland Open final in October.
12. Gary Wilson
If Gary Wilson hadn’t defended his Scottish Open title in December then it would have been a largely forgettable 2023 for the Tyneside Terror, but that’s exactly what he did do.
After winning his first ranking title in Edinburgh in 2022 he produced some brilliance to keep hold of the trophy, with an amazing win over Zhou Yuelong in the semis and a pretty dominant victory over Noppon Saengkham in the final.
11. Barry Hawkins
The Hawk picked up the fourth ranking title of his career at the European Masters in August, beating Judd Trump in the final and has been reliably good ever since.
It was actually a nightmare first half of 2023 for Barry Hawkins as he dropped out of the top 16 and failed to reach the Crucible, but he has been one of the players of the season so far, turning things around over the summer.
10. Rob Milkins
Rob Milkins had an amazing 2022 and somehow topped it the following year with his win at the Welsh Open.
That came immediately after a run to the semis of the German Masters, which together saw him claim the huge £150,000 BetVictor bonus. He even chucked in a huge comeback from 7-2 behind to beat Joe Perry at the Crucible.
9. Ali Carter
The Captain enjoyed one of the best year’s of his career in 2023, winning the German Masters and reaching the finals of the Players Championship and Wuhan Open.
Firmly back among the top 16, early exits from the World and UK Championships were the only real downsides for Ali Carter over the year.
8. Mark Williams
Still going very strong at 48 years old, Mark Williams started 2023 with a run to the Masters final, but topped that by winning the British Open on 1 October.
A hardfought 10-7 win over Mark Selby in that final meant a lot to the three-time world champion and proved yet again that he is still as good as anyone on his day.
7. Zhang Anda
In September Zhang Anda wouldn’t have been on a list of 63 players of 2023, but he has had an immense few months and gone from journeyman to one of the stars of the show.
An appearance in the English Open final came out of the blue, but he has turned that into a purple patch by winning the International Championship and making the UK Championship quarter-finals.
6. Mark Selby
He fell short against Luca Brecel in Sheffield but it was another brilliant run to the final of the World Championship from Mark Selby, making an amazing maximum in the showpiece.
He picked up the WST Classic in March and has gone deep at big events like the Tour Championship and British Open.
5. Mark Allen
After a fantastic 2022, Mark Allen had another successful year, winning the Champion of Champions, World Grand Prix and Shoot Out.
After struggling in Sheffield, the Pistol also returned to the World Championship semi-finals and pushed Selby very hard before falling just short.
4. Shaun Murphy
Another man with three titles to his name in 2023, Shaun Murphy claimed the Players Championship, Tour Championship and Championship League in one of his best years.
The final of the Welsh Open showed the Magician was conjuring up some great form and then he was undoubtedly the best player on the planet as he claimed the Players and the Tour Championships in style.
3. Luca Brecel
Luca Brecel’s incredible run to the 2023 World Championship title was as remarkable as pretty much anything in the sport’s history.
Without a win at the Crucible beforehand, little form to speak of, not practicing, partying hard, driving to Belgium and back every couple of days, none of it made much sense but he relentlessly attacked and beat a string of greats to win the biggest prize in the game.
2. Ronnie O’Sullivan
Becoming the oldest winner of the UK Championship 30 years after becoming the youngest is an absolutely immense achievement and another of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s that will likely never be matched.
The Rocket also brilliantly beat Brecel to win the Shanghai Masters and ends the year as world number one at 48 years old.
1. Judd Trump
There was a disappointing dip at the World Championship, but 2023 has been another brilliant year for Judd Trump as he started it with a second Masters title, which he described as ‘by far his best ever win’.
He peaked later in the year, though, as he won the English Open, Wuhan Open and Northern Ireland Open in the space of a month, an incredible achievement that may not be repeated for a long, long time.
Finals at the Grand Prix, European Masters, Champion of Champions are almost forgotten as he has won so much, but illustrate just how strong Trump has been in 2023.
MORE : Mark Williams thanks ‘best coach in the world’ Lee Walker after Macau Masters win
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