Karen Corr - Women’s Professional Billiards Association

Karen Corr’s cue-stick career is a storied affair. Despite being only 31-years-old, the native of Ireland has found tremendous success in Snooker and billiards - accomplishments that are testament to her perseverance and can-do approach.

Corr began playing at age 14 and quickly showed up as a viable Snooker competitor in tournaments in her home country. At 21, she was World Snooker Champion and began playing full-time having won enough money to quit several odd jobs that paid her bills up to that point.

Even before she moved to the United States, Corr held the Snooker crown for five years and won two English Billiards Championships. But in 1998, Corr emigrated in search of more lucrative prize money and began playing 9-ball.

She qualified for the WPBA tour in 1999 and was named Rookie of the Year. By 2000, she was ranked second in the world.

Corr is now recognized as one of the best billiards players anywhere. Even so, she hasn’t let up and spends hour after hour training for tournaments where she remains a heavy favorite.

“You’ve got a tough opponent all the way through,” she said, of her competition. “They’re all hungry and they’re all capable of winning.”