WELSHMAN FULFILS NAKED PLEDGE
Williams caps late career revival to claim third world title
Mark Williams fought off a stunning comeback from John Higgins to claim his third world snooker crown on Monday and then fulfilled a pledge to appear naked at his press conference.
The Welshman won a gripping final 18-16 to add to his titles in 2000 and 2003.
At 43 he became the oldest winner since his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon triumphed aged 45 in 1978.
Higgins, 42 and seeking a fifth title, fought back from a sevenframe deficit to draw level at 1515, but Williams held on to take the sport’s showcase.
It capped a remarkable late-career revival as he did not even qualify for the championships in 2017, and last reached the final 15 years ago, when he defeated Ken Doherty.
“Last year I watched this in a caravan having some beers. I just can’t believe it, I was seriously thinking of giving up” Williams told the BBC.
He was 15-10 up, three frames away from the title, after Monday’s afternoon session having started the day 10-7 in front.
He stormed seven frames clear when taking Monday’s first four frames but Higgins fought back in what six-time former champion Steve Davis commentating for the BBC described as “the best final ever.”
Referee Brendan Moore took to Twitter, declaring: “I’ve refereed some great games in my time, but that was an absolute classic.”
Higgins reflected: “It was a good match to watch but obviously I’m disappointed. He is a great champion.”
Higgins compiled a stunning 131 break after a costly error by Williams to take the 27th frame to make it 15-11. That was the Scot’s fourth century in the final.
Williams seemingly had it for the taking, but a mistake at 58-1 saw Higgins return to the table with a clearance of 67.
Williams let Higgins in with a chance at 47-0. Showing nerves of steel Higgins nicked the frame with a break of 82.
Higgins steamrollered the next 91-0 to leave the final tantalisingly poised at 15-14.
Williams finally stopped Higgins’s miraculous march to take the 31st and 32nd frames to leave ‘the Welsh potting machine’ just one shy of the greatest prize in the sport.
Williams was one pot away from victory but he missed a pink in the next. Higgins, 63-0 behind, yet again defied the odds to steal the frame with a clearance of 65 and get back to within one.
But Williams sealed the championship in the next frame and after the trophy presentation, he duly kept his promise — or threat — to strip off for the media.
“Cold in here innit” he beamed.