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 Welsh professional snooker player, renowned as a three-time World Champion (2000, 2003, 2018) and a former world number one. His career peaked in the 2002-03 season when he secured snooker's Triple Crown, winning the UK Championship, the Masters, and the World Championship, a feat only achieved by Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry before him. Notably, he's the sole player to have triumphed in all three professional World Championship versions: the World Snooker Championship, the Six-red World Championship, and the World Seniors Championship, solidifying his place as a snooker legend.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

January 1996: Welsh Open Title

In January 1996, Mark Williams won the Welsh Open title, defeating John Parrott.

October 1996: Grand Prix Win

In October 1996, Mark Williams won the Grand Prix, defeating Euan Henderson.

April 1997: British Open Win

In April 1997, Mark Williams won the British Open, defeating Stephen Hendry.

February 1998: First Masters Title

In February 1998, Mark Williams won his first Masters title, defeating Stephen Hendry.

1998: Masters Tournament Win

In 1998, Mark Williams won the Masters tournament.

November 1999: UK Championship Win

In November 1999, Mark Williams won the UK Championship, defeating Matthew Stevens in the final.

1999: UK Championship Win

In 1999, Mark Williams won the UK Championship.

May 2000: Ranked World Number One

In May 2000, Mark Williams was ranked the world number one snooker player for the first time.

2000: UK Championship and World Championship Wins

In 2000, Mark Williams had a successful season, winning both the UK Championship and the World Championship, which helped him secure the world number one position for the first time.

2000: Grand Prix Win and Runner-Up Finishes

In 2000, Mark Williams won the Grand Prix and was a runner-up in the UK Championship and China Open.

May 2002: World Number One Ranking

In May 2002, Mark Williams continued to hold the world number one ranking in snooker.

2002: Second UK Championship Win

In 2002, Mark Williams won his second UK Championship.

2002: China Open Win and Ranking Loss

In 2002, Mark Williams won the China Open but lost the number one world ranking to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

May 2003: World Number One Ranking and Triple Crown

In May 2003, Mark Williams was ranked the world number one and had his most successful season after winning snooker's Triple Crown.

2003: Triple Crown Wins and World Championship Victory

In 2003, Mark Williams had an exceptional season, winning the Masters and the World Championship to complete the Triple Crown and reclaim the number one spot. Before the World Championship, he had a scare when his cue was damaged on a Ryanair flight.

2003: Second World Championship Title

In 2003, Mark Williams won his second World Championship title.

May 2004: World Number One Ranking

In May 2004, Mark Williams continued to be ranked the world number one player.

June 2004: Awarded MBE

In June 2004, Mark Williams was awarded an MBE.

April 2005: Maximum Break at World Championship

On April 20, 2005, at the World Championship, Mark Williams achieved a maximum break and won £161,000 in prize money, but then lost in the second round.

March 2006: China Open Win

On March 26, 2006, Mark Williams won the China Open in Beijing, which helped him retain his top-16 place in the world rankings.

September 2006: Pot Black Trophy Win

In September 2006, Mark Williams won the Pot Black trophy and compiled a century break of 119, which was the highest break in the history of the tournament.

2009: Regained Top 16 Place

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

April 2010: Wins 2010 China Open

In April 2010, Mark Williams won the 2010 China Open, marking his first ranking tournament win in four years. He defeated Ding Junhui in the final with a score of 10‍–‍6, securing his 17th ranking event win and his third China Open title.

May 2011: World Number One Ranking

In May 2011, Mark Williams was ranked the world number one player again.

2011: German Masters Win

In 2011, Mark Williams won the German Masters tournament.

2011: Wins German Masters and becomes world number one

In 2011, Mark Williams won the German Masters, defeating Mark Selby 9‍–‍7 in the final. He also reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Snooker Championship and became the new world number one after the event.

2012: Controversy and World Championship performance

In 2012, Mark Williams caused controversy with comments about the Crucible Theatre on Twitter and was later fined £4,000. He reached the second round of the 2012 World Snooker Championship, losing to O'Sullivan and was inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.

2013: Wins Rotterdam Open

In 2013, Mark Williams won the Rotterdam Open, marking his second title in a Players Tour Championship event.

2014: International Championship

In 2014, Mark Williams reached the quarter-final of the International Championship, where he beat O'Sullivan for the first time in 12 years. He then lost in the semi-final against Mark Allen. He was also defeated in the third round of the 2014 UK Championship.

March 2015: Wins World Seniors Championship

In March 2015, despite being only 39 years old, Mark Williams won the World Seniors Championship, defeating Fergal O'Brien in the final.

2017: Northern Ireland Open Victory

In 2017, Mark Williams secured his next ranking title victory at the Northern Ireland Open.

2017: Wins Six-red World Championship and Northern Ireland Open

In 2017, after teaming up with Lee Walker and Stephen Feeney to revive his career, Mark Williams won the Six-red World Championship and the Northern Ireland Open, marking his first ranking title in six years. It was an emotional win due to his wife's ill health.

2018: 2018 Masters and German Masters

In 2018, Mark Williams defeated Mark Selby at the Masters before losing in the quarter-finals. He won the German Masters, claiming a dominant 9‍–‍1 victory.

2018: Third World Championship Title

In 2018, Mark Williams won his third World Championship title.

2018: Wins 2018 World Championship

In 2018, Mark Williams won his third World Championship, defeating John Higgins in the final. Aged 43, he became the oldest winner since 1978. He thanked his late sponsor and his wife, and famously appeared naked at the press conference.

2018: Won the 2018 World Open

In 2018, as world champion, Mark Williams won the World Open after recovering from deficits in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final matches. At the 2018 UK Championship, he reached the last-16 round, losing after leading 4-0.

2018: Won German Masters and Third World Title

The 2017–18 season was successful for Mark Williams, who won the 2018 German Masters and his third World Championship title.

August 2021: Won the 2021 British Open

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

2021: 2021 Masters, WST Pro Series Win, and World Championship Quarter-Finals

In 2021, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the Masters, but won the WST Pro Series for his first title in three years. He defeated Higgins in the second round of the 2021 World Championship, before losing in the quarter-finals. During the championship, a controversial safety shot by Williams led to discussions about a potential ban.

October 2023: Won the 2023 British Open

In October 2023, Mark Williams won the British Open in Cheltenham, becoming the second-oldest winner of a ranking event at the time.

2025: Oldest Player to Reach World Championship Final and Ranking Event Winner

In 2025, Mark Williams became the oldest player to reach the final of the World Championship, aged 50, and also became the oldest winner of a ranking event at the Xi'an Grand Prix, aged 50 years and 206 days.

2025: Won the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix, Oldest Ranking Event Winner

In 2025, Mark Williams won the Xi'an Grand Prix, becoming the oldest player ever to win a ranking event at 50 years and 206 days, surpassing Ray Reardon's previous record from 1982. Williams also became the first player to win professional titles in his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.