The British player triumphed in the 1979 Crucible final against Dennis Taylor after successfully navigating the qualifying rounds. He also secured victories in the Masters and the UK Championship, achieving the prestigious Triple Crown in the sport.
Wayne Griffiths, Terry's son, shared the news on Facebook: “To our friends and snooker enthusiasts, we are heartbroken to announce our loss. Terry Griffiths… peacefully departed on December 1st, after a long fight with dementia, surrounded by his family in his cherished hometown in South Wales.”
The World Snooker Tour honored Griffiths as an “all-time snooker great,” extending their heartfelt condolences to his family and numerous friends, noting that he was deeply respected and loved within the sport.
A prominent figure in snooker during the 1980s and early 1990s, the Welshman reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship for nine consecutive years, including a return to the final in 1988. He concluded his playing career after a first-round loss to Mark Williams at the 1997 World Championship.
Griffiths also served as a coach to several top players, including Williams, Stephen Hendry, and Mark Allen. Three-time world champion Williams referred to Griffiths as a “mentor, coach, friend, legend” on social media.
World number one Judd Trump, who recently won the UK Championship, expressed his sorrow, stating: “It is incredibly sad news. He is a legend of the game. Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.”