Three-time Masters snooker champion Paul Hunter died aged 27 from cancer. (File Photo)   Oct. 10 - Three-time Masters snooker champion Paul Hunter died aged 27 from cancer.

 

He had been taken into a hospice in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, last Friday and died on Monday evening.

 

Hunter, who reached the world championship semi-finals in 2003, was diagnosed with dozens of tumours in his stomach in March 2005.

 

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Hunter continued to compete professionally but won only one match last season and fell from fifth to 34th in the world rankings.

 

Hunter was a precocious talent turning professional at the age of 16 and won his first major title, the 1998 Welsh Open, at the age of 19.

 

He also won the Welsh title in 2002 and picked up the British Open trophy the same year.

 

But he will be best remembered for his three Masters victories coming from behind on all three occasions.

 

Hunter recovered from 7-3 down to beat Fergal O'Brien 10-9 in the 2001 final and fought back from 5-0 down to beat Mark Williams 10-9 in the final a year later.

 

He completed a hat-trick of Masters victories in 2004 when he came from 7-2 down to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9.

 

Hunter came tantalisingly close to reaching the world championship final in 2003, where he led Ken Doherty 15-9 before the Irishman stormed back to win 17-16.

 

Hunter would have been 28 on Saturday. He leaves a wife, Lindsey, and a daughter, Evie Rose, who was born on December 26 last year.