Mark Williams Eyes Historic Welsh Open Glory 27 Years After Last Triumph – Despite Struggling Vision
Mark Williams is aiming for a long-awaited Welsh Open triumph, a feat that hasn’t been achieved by a Welshman in 27 years. The last time Williams clinched the title was back in 1999, when he defeated the legendary Stephen Hendry in a thrilling final at Cardiff’s International Arena. It was a spectacular tournament for Williams, who had to overcome snooker giants like Neal Foulds, Chris Small, Alan McManus, Steve Davis, and even Ronnie O’Sullivan before edging past Hendry 9-8 in a nail-biting final.
That victory marked his second Welsh Open win, a highlight in an already decorated career. However, it’s also been the last time a Welsh player reached the final. Since then, the tournament has been largely dominated by players from outside Wales, with Hendry winning a rematch in 2003 and no Welshman making it back to the final since.
Now 50 years old, Williams remains a formidable force in the snooker world, still capable of competing at the highest level. He recently advanced to the last 16 of the Welsh Open with a confident 4-1 victory over Martin O’Donnell, a result that has reignited his hopes of lifting the prestigious title once again. Reflecting on his current form, Williams quipped, “I’m still in, last 32 is it? Oh, last 16! First I’ve done for a while,” showing his usual self-deprecating humor.
Despite the passing years and the stiff competition from younger players, Williams has not lost his belief that he can win again. He acknowledged the importance of a good run in the tournament, saying that if he can build some momentum, his performance could improve significantly. “I either seem to go on a little bit of a run or lose first round and go back on the golf course,” he added.
But it’s not just his competitive spirit that fuels his quest for another Welsh Open title—it’s also the desire to end his lengthy wait for victory. Nearly three decades have passed since his last triumph, and Williams humorously reflected on the time that’s flown by. “I can’t believe it, it’s so long ago. I had a bit of hair then, now I’m old and going blind,” he remarked with characteristic wit.
His eyesight has been a growing concern in recent years, and at one point, Williams was close to undergoing lens replacement surgery. However, after an impressive run to the World Championship final earlier in the year, he decided to postpone the surgery. “I put it off because I made the final at the World Championship,” he explained, emphasizing how his performance on the table still remains his priority.
Though Williams is not the only Welsh player with aspirations in the tournament—young stars Jackson Page and Jak Jones are also still in the running—there is something particularly poignant about the idea of Williams reclaiming the Welsh Open title. For him, it would not only mark the end of a nearly 30-year wait but also affirm his place as one of the sport’s enduring greats, a reminder that age is just a number when passion and skill remain as sharp as ever.
