″The greatest billiards player who ever lived.″ – Sir Donald Bradman
Walter Lindrum
Held the World Professional Billiards Championship from 1933 until 1950
Walter Lindrum
Set 57 world records in billiards, some of which still stand
Walter Lindrum
Inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and elevated to “Legend of Australian Sport” in 1998
Walter Lindrum | World Billiards Champion | Official Website
Walter Lindrum is universally regarded as the greatest billiards player of all time, with a legacy of world records that still stand to this day. This website celebrates his extraordinary contribution to the sport and his place as one of Australia’s most iconic sporting legends. Our mission is to honour his unparalleled achievements, preserve his legendary records, promote Australian cue sports, and inspire future generations to pursue excellence in billiards.
- Tammy Lindrum, Great-niece of Walter Lindrum. Managing Director and Founder of Lindrum Legends. Registered company & trademark owner of Walter Albert Lindrum, Dolly Lindrum and Lindrum Legends
TIMELINE
Walter Lindrum
57 World Records in BilliardsRaised over £2 million for Charity
Presenting the research project of a lifetime: the journey of the greatest billiards player to have ever graced the game. This timeline delves into his unique upbringing, illustrious career, and charitable contributions—a true tribute to a man who gave his all to both the sport and his country.
In the final match of the 1930 Manchester tour against Willie Smith, two-time world billiards champion, Walter Lindrum set numerous records: the highest individual aggregate (36,256), the largest winning margin (21,285), a record match average (262), and a record number of four-figure breaks (11).
World Record Break
In January 1932, in a match against reigning world champion Joe Davis in London, Walter Lindrum occupied the table for 2 hours and 55 minutes, making approximately 1,900 consecutive scoring shots and compiling a world record break of 4,137. This included 15 sequences of nursery cannons, which contributed 2,578 of his total points.
More Prominent Records
Walter Lindrum holds the record for the highest break in each country he played in, the fastest century break (46 seconds), and 1,011 points in 30 minutes. In 1933, during a tour to South Africa, he set a new world record for fast scoring, completing 1,000 points in just 28 minutes in Johannesburg.
All historical images are presented in good faith; some captions may be inaccurate despite our best efforts and copyright status may be uncertain. See our Gallery for details.
Highlights & Milestones
Tammy Lindrum | President of the Women's Billiards and Snooker Network (WBSN)
A living legend and powerful voice, Tammy Lindrum is shaping the future of women in cue sports. Continuing the legacy of her great-uncle, Walter Lindrum, she champions the sport with unwavering passion and dedication. Congratulations to Tammy on her election as president of the newly formed Women’s Billiards and Snooker Network. Discover her advocacy and join the movement today.
Walter Lindrum – Fifty-seven world records, with some still standing today. Considered to be one of Australia’s all-time greatest sportsmen, Walter Lindrum was in a league of his own on the billiards table. His talent for the sport was a product of both genetics and environment, and his rise to the top is nothing short of fascinating.
The Lindrums’ legacy as pioneers of billiards and snooker in Australia is celebrated with their induction into the ABSC Hall of Fame 2024. A testament to their lasting impact on the sport.
Walter Lindrum: The ‘Sir’ who chose love over a title. Despite raising millions for charity and dominating his sport more than Bradman, Walter was denied a knighthood when he refused a Prime Ministerial ultimatum to reconcile a broken marriage. Loyal to the memory of his true love, Rosie, he sacrificed official recognition for personal integrity.
Irene May Ellis, known as Dolly Lindrum, was the devoted niece and lifelong admirer of billiards legend Walter Lindrum. Her passing at 96 on 10 January 2019 was one of the saddest moments of my life.
Horace Lindrum, World Snooker Champion, shaped the sport with unmatched skill and passed on values of love, dedication, and perseverance to his daughter, Tammy.
Walter Lindrum and Donald Bradman are two of Australia’s most iconic sports figures. Both achieved stardom on their first visits to England—Lindrum with a record 3,262 and 67 breaks over 1,000 during his 1929-1930 English Billiards season, and Bradman with a record 334 and a remarkable batting average of 139.14 in the 1930 Ashes.
We thank Graeme and Mary Walters for preserving and transcribing Ruby Roberts’ diary, allowing us to share the story of Australia’s greatest female English billiards player—unmatched in skill and dominance before World War I, and Roberts remains the benchmark for all who came after her.
Dhvaj Haria of India claimed victory at the 2025 Walter Lindrum Open, defeating Peter Gilchrist 1035–597 in the final at the Yarraville Club. Haria’s dominant performance featured high breaks of 313 and 275, while Gilchrist secured his second consecutive Nursery Cannon Challenge title.
Walter Lindrum’s memorial at Melbourne General Cemetery was fully restored by the original monumental masons and stonemasons, Giannarelli Memorials, in December 2024.
Lindrum and Foldvari are the only two players from Australia to have won the World Professional Billiards Championship. They are forever linked by this accolade; however, their lives and careers are remarkably different.
