Where does Stephen Hendry rate Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White and Alex Higgins in his all-time list of Crucible snooker greats?

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The World Snooker Championship celebrated its 50th year at the Crucible in 2026, and the tournament is staying at the iconic venue after a new deal was agreed to retain the sport's biggest event in Sheffield until 2045.

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China's Lanzhou Lion Wu Yize became the 25th player of the modern era to claim the world title with an epic 18-17 win over Shaun Murphy in May.

At the age of only 22, Wu also became the second-youngest world champion after Hendry, who was 21 when he defeated Jimmy White 18-12 in 1990.

But who is the greatest player to have graced the celebrated venue since John Spencer lifted the inaugural title with a 25-21 victory over Cliff Thorburn in 1977?

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Hendry shares the record total of world titles in the modern era, lifting the trophy seven times between 1990 and 1999, a feat matched by Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2022.

The Scot has hailed O'Sullivan as the snooker GOAT several times and feels his longevity in the sport makes him the outstanding player to perform in the Crucible era.

Since making his debut in 1993, O'Sullivan has appeared in a record 34 straight tournaments, securing the golden prize in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.

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"I'm tempted for argumentative purposes to put myself above Ronnie," said Hendry in a tongue-in-cheek manner on the World Snooker Tour podcast.

"I'm sure these guys would love me to do that, as the backlash would be huge.

"He's got to be above me for the fact that he's won eight Masters and eight UK Championships. Sixteen maximums [O'Sullivan has 17], 1400 century breaks [1330], I have to put myself second, because I think I was pretty good.

"We'll leave it there."

Hendry also feels it is a dead heat for third place between O'Sullivan's fellow Class of '92 members John Higgins and Mark Williams, who have seven world titles between them.

"I can't separate them. They're both unbelievable competitors, and still are," said Hendry.

"They both make clearances you can't believe under pressure."

Hendry famously defeated White in four world finals in 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1994, with 'The Whirlwind' also losing to Steve Davis in 1984 and John Parrott in 1991.

But he feels White is worthy of eighth spot in his list behind six-time winner Steve Davis.

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"I partly put him there, because he was my hero," said Hendry. "I started watching snooker in the early 80s.

"It seemed like every year here we met in the final. Six finals. Very close between him and Ding [Junhui] as the best player never to win the world title.

"Talent, screwing the cue ball back. Changed the game in a way."

Alex Higgins earns a spot at 14th in the list, because his popularity with the public helped to create the modern era.

"If it wasn't for Alex, I'm not sure the game would be where it is today, but did he actually win enough?

"He was a genius player. When he did win, it was spectacular.

"Was a brilliant safety player, but he didn't score heavily enough, so that's why his game wouldn't stand up today."

Hendry also includes Leeds favourite Paul Hunter, who won the Masters three times, in 2001, 2002 and 2004, before he tragically lost his battle with cancer at the age of 27 in 2006.

"It is impossible to say if he would have been world champion, but he had the talent and bottle to play under pressure," said Hendry.

"He was a big occasion player, and an absolute star."

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Stephen Hendry's all-time Crucible top 16

1. Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
2. Stephen Hendry (Sco)
3. John Higgins (Sco)
3. Mark Williams (Wal)
5. Mark Selby (Eng)
6. Judd Trump (Eng)
7. Steve Davis (Eng)
8. Jimmy White (Eng)
9. Zhao Xintong (Chn)
10. Shaun Murphy (Eng)
11. Ding Junhui (Chn)
12. Neil Robertson (Aus)
13. Paul Hunter (Eng)
14. Alex Higgins (NI)
15. Kyren Wilson (Eng)
15. Mark Allen (NI)

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