Stephen Hendry has labelled Mark Williams his hero after the 49-year-old claimed the Champion of Champions title on Sunday night.
The three-time world champion beat Xiao Guodong 10-6 in Bolton to claim the £150,000 top prize and yet again prove he is one of the best in the world despite turning 50 in March.
Williams beat women’s world champion Bai Yulu in his opening contest before knocking out world champion Kyren Wilson and then Neil Robertson to reach the final.
There he romped into a 5-0 lead before Xiao impressively fought back into the contest, but the Welshman was too strong, winning five of the last seven frames with breaks of 104, 62, 80, 95 and 67.
The Welsh Potting Machine’s remarkable career continues, 32 years after turning professional, sitting at number six in the world rankings and now the current holder of two huge titles in the Champion of Champions and Tour Championship.
Seven-time world champion Hendry is stunned by his friend’s success, saying on ITV4: ‘He’s my hero, I have to say it. He is my best mate on tour as well, but what he’s doing at almost 50, how he’s playing and the way he plays with not a care in the world it’s just incredible, I love it.’
Williams has had a bit of a rollercoaster season, reaching the final of the big-money Saudi Arabia Masters at the start of September, but then struggling for a few tournaments as he got used to a new cue.
He is clearly comfortable with his new piece of wood now, though, and is glad to prove his critics wrong over the move, including his pal Hendry.
‘I had a new cue, which I knew I was going to struggle with, I knew I was going to lose two or three first-rounders,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t worried about that because I really like my new cue and I knew it would come good.
‘I’ve been getting slated by a lot of people for changing cues, I’m not going to mention any names Hendry, but it’s starting to come alright now and all of a sudden the cue is the best thing I’ve ever had in my hands.’
Xiao is enjoying a brilliant season himself, winning the Wuhan Open, reaching the top 16 for the first time and making it to the Champion of Champions final on debut where he won £60,000 for his efforts.
He said it was a pleasure to play a legend of the game and called for Williams, along with Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins to play for another 20 years.
Williams is not sure he can stretch to that age, but has absolutely no plans to retire and will keep on playing until the wheels fall off.
‘I’m not retiring, I’m going to keep going until I fall off the tour, whenever that is,’ he said. ‘If I’m coming out in my zimmer frame it doesn’t matter, just carry on.
‘I’m enjoying it. Winning is obviously good but if I lose I don’t really worry about it, just try your best, it’s all you can do.’
He added: ‘It is another season where I’ve picked up a trophy. I don’t know what to say really. It seems the older I’m getting, the more support I’m getting from the crowd. It is unbelievable. I’m lost for words.
‘I’ve got nothing to prove anymore. I’m just going to enjoy it. Even if I’d lost today I would have congratulated Xiao and said well done. I’m over the moon.’
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