By Phil Harlow

PAUL HUNTER'S MASTERS WINS 2001: bt Fergal O'Brien 10-9 2002: bt Mark Williams 10-9 2004: bt Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9

Snooker legend Jimmy White says Paul Hunter's absence will hit home when the Masters gets under way on Sunday.

Hunter, who died from cancer last year at the age of 27, triumphed at the Masters in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

"Paul's left a big hole in the sport and it will be strange going to Wembley without him," White told BBC Sport.

"It's devastating to know he won't be at any tournaments, but it's going to kick in more at the Masters because that's where he really made his name."

Hunter, who died in October last year, produced his best snooker at Wembley Arena, recovering from major deficits to win all three of his finals 10-9.

"Paul always played so well in the Masters," added White, who recovered from his own battle with testicular cancer.

"I won the tournament once in 24 years - he did it three times and came back from ridiculous scores to win.

"He just played out of his skin at Wembley.

"I had a drink with some of the other players over Christmas and we were talking about Paul. I'm just so sorry for his wife and young child. It's a funny world we live in."

People like Paul Hunter don't come along very often Jimmy White

White, six times a world championship runner-up but now down to 56th in the provisional rankings, said he had struck up a close friendship with the likeable Hunter away from the table.

"I knew Paul since he was 17 and I just became very friendly with him from day one," he said.

"He was a bit of a 'jack the lad' and so was I when I was younger. We just enjoyed each other's company.

"We could have a drink together and have a laugh, but he was never rude or nasty to anyone.

"I just liked him as a bloke, there were no airs and graces with him.

"He was a tiger on the snooker table and then as soon as he finished playing he was just himself, which not a lot of players are.

"Some players go around like they're trying to find clues about you all the time, but Paul would just switch off and enjoy himself and that was something I really liked about him."

Hunter's famous quip about his special 'Plan B' - his interval breaks at the Masters with his then fianc�e Lindsey - has gone down in snooker legend.

"It's one of my favourite memories about him," added White.

"That was Paul down to a tee - a bit cheeky and a great sense of humour.

"He was a special boy. People like him don't come along very often. It's difficult to put into words, but I - and all the players - loved him very dearly."