One of snooker's most unforgettable and bizarre moments unfolded at the 1997 Masters final, when a naked streaker brought the prestigious match to a hilarious halt, prompting a classic reaction from a young Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The Unforgettable Interruption at the Masters
The final, held at the iconic Wembley Conference Centre, pitted the legendary Steve Davis against the rising star Ronnie O'Sullivan. Davis would eventually seal a stunning 10-8 comeback victory after trailing 4-8. However, the match is perhaps best remembered not for the sporting drama, but for a shocking mid-frame intrusion.
With O'Sullivan leading 4-0 in the early stages, secretary Lianne Crofts, then in her early twenties, suddenly leapt from her seat in the audience. To the astonishment of players, officials, and the crowd, she proceeded to strip naked and dance joyfully around the snooker table. The incident was captured in full by television cameras before security swiftly intervened to escort her away.
O'Sullivan and Davis's Priceless Reactions
The players' responses became an integral part of the folklore. A clearly amused Ronnie O'Sullivan, struggling to contain his laughter, famously reached out and covered the stunned referee's eyes with his hand. Meanwhile, Steve Davis was seen sitting in his chair, chuckling to himself at the surreal spectacle.
In a 1999 interview, Crofts revealed her motivation for the stunt. She recalled a childhood memory of seeing a football streaker and vowing to do the same. "Snooker matches are dead boring anyway," she said, "so I thought I'd cheer one up a little." She had planned the act meticulously, wearing easy-to-remove clothing and positioning herself near an aisle. Despite her hopes of planting a kiss on Steve Davis's cheek, she was removed too quickly, noting that Davis had his back turned and later said he would have been "livid" at the distraction.
A Lasting Place in Snooker Folklore
While Steve Davis lifted the trophy that day, the 1997 Masters final is eternally linked with Lianne Crofts's daring streak. The moment remains a viral clip, a testament to an era of unpredictable sporting theatre. It showcases a lighter side of the game's history, forever capturing the youthful, irreverent humour of a pre-world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in a moment that transcended the sport itself.
