MARK WILLIAMS beat Ronnie O’Sullivan within the Battle of the Baize Oldies after which joked: Not dangerous for a part-timer.
Willo, 49, lifted the £150,000 Tour Championship following a 10-5 victory over the Rocket, 48, at Manchester Central.
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The pair’s mixed age of 97 is the oldest for finalists in a World Snooker Tour occasion.
And the Welshman, who graduated into the professional ranks in 1992, is the second-oldest winner of a rating title.
Solely the legendary Ray Reardon has been within the winners’ circle at an older age – he was 50 years and 14 days when he loved success on the 1982 Skilled Gamers Event.
However Williams is stunned he beat the highest three on this planet – O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Allen – this week, particularly as he had been affected by jetlag after enjoying Chinese language pool within the Far East.
Williams, a father of three, stated: “Not dangerous. I performed properly all day. I took it to him, I performed properly. I can not consider I received.
“It’s not dangerous for a part-timer. I’m a part-timer pool participant now!
“I by no means thought I might win tournaments on the age of 49. Who is aware of, the world championships are not far away? I’ll attempt my greatest.
“That is up there in my profession. As Ronnie stated, I believe I’m a greater all-round participant now. Contemplating I don’t observe that a lot. However I all the time attempt my absolute nuts.
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“I’ve overwhelmed one of the best three gamers on this planet. I haven’t performed it the straightforward approach.
“It’s good to have household up right here. One son all the time comes with me. Two of my sons solely come as much as watch Ronnie.
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“The gang have been unbelievable. They’ve given all people nice assist.”
Two weeks out earlier than the Crucible motion begins, this was an amazing conflict between two legends of the game.
And the group have been rewarded with 5 centuries, together with a excessive rating of 127 from O’Sullivan in body six.
O’Sullivan led 5-3 after the afternoon session, regardless of being 3-1 down, however then Williams received SEVEN frames in a row within the night in a masterclass efficiency.
The Essex potter misplaced in his first main last since February 2022 however he magnanimous in defeat.
It’s good to have household up right here. One son all the time comes with me. Two of my sons solely come as much as watch Ronnie.
Mark Williams
He stated: “Pay attention, I believe Mark has been essentially the most constant participant for the final 5 years.
“The best way he has been hitting the ball. Very not often does he play a poor match.
“The best way he has performed this week and within the last, he’s such an incredible participant. He’s so proficient.
“I believe he’s higher now than he has ever been to be sincere with you. He appears so robust.
“I attempted, I gave it all the pieces, however he’s so constant, so robust.
“In case you don’t preserve enjoying top-level snooker towards him, he’ll simply eat you alive. I believe I did properly to get 5 frames.”
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O’Sullivan added: “If he was to dedicate his complete life to it, he would most likely be primary on this planet. However he doesn’t – he likes to play golf and relax, get pleasure from his life.
“He doesn’t do badly for somebody that simply performs about it within the sport.”
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