Since the modern era of snooker began in 1969, Ronnie O'Sullivan (from England) and Stephen Hendry (from Scotland) have emerged as the most successful players, each winning the World Snooker Championship seven times. Hendry first reached this milestone in 1999, securing all his titles during the 1990s, including five consecutive wins from 1992 to 1996. O'Sullivan's victories, occurring over a longer span, began in 2001 and continued through 2022. Following them are Ray Reardon (from Wales) and Steve Davis (from England), each with six championships, won in the 1970s and 1980s, respectively. Other notable champions include John Higgins and Mark Selby, both with four titles, and John Spencer and Mark Williams, each with three. The historical context of the tournament also highlights earlier champions like Joe Davis, who won the first 15 editions from 1927 to 1946. This rich history reflects the evolution of snooker and its competitive spirit.