Mark Williams (snooker player)'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Mark Williams (snooker player). Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Mark Williams is a highly accomplished Welsh professional snooker player, renowned as a three-time World Champion (2000, 2003, 2018). He reached the world number one ranking multiple times. Notably, he achieved the Triple Crown in the 2002-03 season, joining Davis and Hendry as the only players to win all three events in a single season. He uniquely holds all three world championship titles: the World Snooker Championship, Six-red World Championship, and World Seniors Championship.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2000: Won World Championship

In 2000, Mark Williams won the World Championship, recovering from behind to defeat Matthew Stevens in the final. He became the first left-handed player to win the World Championship at The Crucible.

2004: Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire

In 2004, Mark Williams was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

April 2005: Maximum Break at World Championship

On April 20, 2005, at the World Championship, Mark Williams achieved a maximum break in the final frame of his first-round victory over Robert Milkins, winning £161,000, but lost in the second round to Ian McCulloch.

2009: Regained Top 16 Place

In 2009, Mark Williams regained his place in the top 16 rankings.

April 2010: Williams Wins 2010 China Open

In April 2010, Mark Williams won the 2010 China Open, marking his first ranking tournament victory in four years. He defeated Ding Junhui in the final with a score of 10‍–‍6, recovering from a 3-5 deficit. This win was Williams' 17th ranking event title and his third China Open title.

2011: 2011 Masters and German Masters wins

In 2011, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the Masters against Ding. He won the German Masters, defeating Selby 9‍–‍7 in the final. At the 2011 China Open, he lost in the first round against Lee. At the 2011 World Snooker Championship, he reached the semi-final stage for the first time since 2003 and became the new world number one after the event.

2012: Controversy and Hall of Fame Induction in 2012

In 2012, Mark Williams generated controversy with comments about the World Snooker Championship venue. He was fined £4,000. Also in 2012, Williams was inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.

2013: 2013-14 Season start

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Mark Williams won the Rotterdam Open, marking his second title in a Players Tour Championship event.

March 2015: 2015 World Seniors Championship

In March 2015, Mark Williams participated in the World Seniors Championship and won the title by beating O'Brien in the final.

2017: 2017 Career Revival

In 2017, Mark Williams teamed up with Lee Walker to revive his career. He won the Six-red World Championship and the Northern Ireland Open, marking his first ranking title after a six-year drought.

2018: 2018 World Championship Win

In 2018, Mark Williams advanced to the semi-finals of the World Championship. He reached his first World Championship final since 2003, winning 18‍–‍16 against Higgins to claim his third world title. Aged 43, he became the oldest winner since Reardon in 1978.

2018: 2018 Masters and German Masters

In 2018, Mark Williams defeated Selby at the Masters, before losing to Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals. At the German Masters, he beat Trump to reach the final where he faced Dott. Williams dominated the final, making six breaks over 50 and one century to claim a 9‍–‍1 victory.

2018: Won the 2018 World Open

In 2018, Mark Williams, as world champion, won the World Open after recovering from deficits in multiple matches, including the final against David Gilbert where he came back from 5‍–‍9 down to win 10‍–‍9.

2018: Won German Masters and Third World Title

The 2017-2018 season was very successful for Mark Williams, winning the 2018 German Masters and his third world title at the Crucible.

August 2021: Won the 2021 British Open

In August 2021, Mark Williams secured his 24th ranking title by defeating Gary Wilson in the final of the British Open.

2021: Won the 2021 WST Pro Series

In 2021, Mark Williams won the WST Pro Series, marking his first title in three years. He also defeated Higgins in the second round of the World Championship before losing in the quarter-finals to Selby. During the championship, a controversial safety shot led to discussions about potentially banning the shot.

October 2023: Won the 2023 British Open

In October 2023, Mark Williams won the British Open, defeating Selby in the final to become the second-oldest winner of a ranking event at that time.

2025: Oldest Player to Reach World Championship Final

At the 2025 World Championship, Mark Williams, aged 50, became the oldest player to reach the final of the tournament and became the oldest winner of a ranking event at the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix.

2025: Won the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix

In 2025, Mark Williams won the Xi'an Grand Prix, becoming the oldest player ever to win a ranking event at 50 years old, surpassing Reardon's record from 1982. He also became the first player to win professional titles in his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

2025: Reached the final of the 2025 World Championship

In 2025, despite eyesight issues, Mark Williams reached the semi-finals and then the final of the World Championship, becoming the oldest player to do so at age 50, surpassing Reardon's record from 1982. Ultimately, he lost to Zhao Xintong in the final.