1990 Centenary Challenge

The 1990 Centenary Challenge was an invitational snooker challenge match played over three legs in 1990. Contested between Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis and with a prize fund of £100,000, it was snooker's richest head-to-head prize fund.[1]

1990 Centenary Challenge

Tournament information
Dates	16 May – 16 December 1990 (1990-05-16 – 1990-12-16)
Venue	Civic Centre, Aylesbury AECC, Aberdeen Cafe Royal, London
Country	United Kingdom
Format	Invitational challenge match
Total prize fund	£100,000
Winner's share	£66,300
Final
Champion	Stephen Hendry (SCO)
Runner-up	Steve Davis (ENG)
Score	19–11 Aggregate Score over three matches

The tournament format differed from other snooker events and the players earned money for points, similar to golf's "skins" tournaments. Each point scored was worth £10, with bonuses of £250 for a break of 50 and a further £1,000 for a century break, plus an extra £1,000 for the frame winner.[2]

It was held in three stages. The first was at the Civic Centre, Aylesbury on 16 May 1990 which was won 6–4 by Hendry, who won £15,920 of the £25,000 on offer (each player started on £12,500).[3] The second leg was held at the AECC in Aberdeen on 23 September 1990, with Hendry again victorious 8–2 and winning £23,300.[4] The third and final stage was played at Cafe Royal in London on 16 December 1990, which ended in a 5–5 draw, with Hendry winning 19–11 on aggregate and winning a total of £66,300.[5]