I've commented many times on here about Harold Worst. IMO he is the greatest player I ever saw in my lifetime. Harold was a Man's Man! He carried himself with dignity at all times and spoke softly and carried a big stick. He had a presence about him that was hard to define and was respected by ALL the players, hustlers and tournament pros alike. He was similar to Shane in that he could win the tournament and then get out there and gamble with all comers. Bet what you want!
I saw Harold overcome gaff games and get the money. Quite simply he did what needed to be done on a pool table, making shots and playing position, over and over again until the match was over. There was no big fanfare to his game or his style. He just went about it methodically and shot your nuts off in the process. Kind of like the way Hoppe played Three Cushions.
Harold was prepared to play any player at any game, be it pool, snooker or billiards. He had no equal in that respect. He was a precursor to Efren, in that if he wanted to learn a new game (like One Pocket), give him a month and he was a world beater. He was preparing himself to take on Ronnie at One Pocket when the Big C got him. He had already challenged Lassiter to a $10,000 9-Ball match and was rebuffed.
I never saw another man quite like Worst in all the years I've followed this game.
P.S. Harold was powerful built for a man probably under 6' tall (maybe he was 5'11"). I would guess his weight at well over 200 pounds. His stance was the most solid I've ever seen along with the great Ceulemans.
It was sad to see Harold in Vegas at his last tournament in 1967. He was frail and looked weak, but he never complained or said anything to anyone. He went ahead and won the tournament anyway (what a testament to his greatness) and was dead less than six months later. I was in shock when I heard that news.