Mark Williams Triumphs Over Ronnie O’Sullivan in Battle of the Baize Oldies and Jokes: Not Bad for a Part-Timer

Mark Williams emerged victorious in the Battle of the Baize Oldies as he defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan to clinch the Tour Championship title in Manchester Central. The 49-year-old Welshman joked after his win, saying, “Not bad for a part-timer.”

With a combined age of 97, Williams and O’Sullivan made history as the oldest finalists in a World Snooker Tour event. Williams, who turned pro in 1992, became the second-oldest winner of a ranking title, with only Ray Reardon achieving success at an older age.

Despite suffering from jetlag after playing Chinese pool in the Far East, Williams managed to defeat the top three players in the world – O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Mark Allen. He expressed his surprise at his victory and credited his performance to playing well throughout the day.

Reflecting on his win, Williams stated, “I never thought I would win tournaments at the age of 49. Who knows, the world championships are round the corner? I will try my best.” He also acknowledged the support of his family and the fantastic crowd at the event.

O’Sullivan, gracious in defeat, praised Williams for his consistency and talent, describing him as the most consistent player in the last five years. He commended Williams for his strong performance in the final and acknowledged that Williams would be number one in the world if he dedicated his whole life to snooker.

The thrilling clash between the two snooker legends delighted the crowd with five centuries, culminating in Williams winning seven frames in a row in the evening session to secure the title. As the Crucible action approaches, Williams’ victory serves as a testament to his skill and determination on the baize.