Mark Williams won seven frames in a row to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-5 at the Tour Championship and claim the final piece of silverware before the World Championship in Sheffield.
Williams trailed 5-3 at the end of the afternoon session in Manchester after O’Sullivan reeled off four frames in a row from 3-1 down, with the Rocket sinking three century breaks in that run.
However, Welshman Williams was in sizzling form in the evening, surging to victory with two centuries, a 99 and two further breaks in excess of fifty to secure his 26th career ranking title and deny O’Sullivan a 42nd.
The match between two players who turned professional in 1992 set the record for the highest combined age in a ranking final at 97, with O’Sullivan 48 years of age and Williams 49.
Williams – who had lost 22 of his last 24 matches against world No 1 O’Sullivan and 33 out of 42 overall – picked up his second title of the season having won the British Open in Cheltenham in October.
Williams told ITV4: “I played well all day. I was 3-1 up, 5-3 down, Ronnie played unbelievably well and sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up, but tonight I took it to him and played really well.
“It’s not bad for a part-timer! I never thought I’d be winning tournaments at 49. The World Championships are around the corner. [O’Sullivan] is the man to beat, but you never know. I’ll try my best.”