The (officially the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship) was a landmark event in snooker history, held from April 17 to May 3, 2004 , at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The tournament is best remembered for Ronnie O’Sullivan capturing his second world title, solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats while being mentored by six-time champion Ray Reardon. Final Standings and Prize Money
: Much of O’Sullivan’s tactical discipline during the event was attributed to the coaching of Ray Reardon , nicknamed "Dracula," who helped him refine his "Plan B" safety game. World Championship Snooker 2004
: Mark Williams entered as the defending champion but was eliminated in the second round, losing 11–13 to Joe Perry. Notable Records and Debuts The (officially the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship)
: In the semi-finals, O'Sullivan delivered a crushing 17–4 defeat to Stephen Hendry . This set a new record for the largest margin of victory in a World Championship semi-final, surpassing Hendry's own 1992 record. : Mark Williams entered as the defending champion
The tournament concluded with a dominant performance by Ronnie O’Sullivan, who defeated Scotland's Graeme Dott in the final. Prize Money Ronnie O’Sullivan (ENG) 18 £250,000 Runner-up Graeme Dott (SCO) Semi-finalists Stephen Hendry , Matthew Stevens Quarter-finalists Joe Perry , David Gray, Anthony Hamilton, Ian McCulloch Key Tournament Highlights
The Rocket Ascends: Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 2004 World Championship Triumph
The 2004 championship remains a significant chapter in the World Snooker Tour , representing the peak of the "modern era" where O'Sullivan began his ascent to matching Stephen Hendry's then-record of seven world titles.