Snooker star Mark Williams had a costly miscue that left fans stunned on his way out of the 2025 Masters.
The ‘Welsh Potting Machine’ had a moment he’d sooner forget with the scores finely poised at one frame apiece against Ding Junhui on Monday. Snooker ace Williams led 41-7 at the time and was sizing up the blue for a routine middle pocket.
However, the Alexandra Palace crowd knew straight away that the 49-year-old had got it all wrong. And Williams’ expression painted a picture as he whiffed the white wide of his target, pinging harmlessly off the blue to gift Ding his opportunity.
The Chinese contender wasn’t too proud to pounce on the chance and proceeded to go 2-1 ahead after the third frame. Williams launched several comeback attempts and led the match at two junctures, but it was Ding who converted with two late frames to edge the clash 6-5.
“Wow,” said commentator Dennis Taylor in response to Williams’ miscue. “Now we’ve seen everything, Mark. We’ve talked about that tip that Mark Williams has and how hard it is. I can’t remember him miscuing it much, but what a time to miscue.”
He advances to set up a quarter-final meeting with either Barry Hawkins or Judd Trump. But for Williams – who won the Masters in 1998 and again in 2003 – the title chase is over.
“He had one hell of a run with the balls but those are the fine margins,” said Williams after his exit. “I think the run of the ball cost me but I’ve had plenty in my time. You still have to make the breaks and he did.”
Ding has gone on to reach the final on each of the other three occasions he’s knocked Williams out at a Triple Crown event. And the 37-year-old might fancy his chances after Ronnie O’Sullivanwithdrew from the competition on medical grounds.
Speaking about his decision to withdraw, O’Sullivan told Eurosport: “It was a nightmare decision really to make. If you had asked me on Sunday if I was ready to play, I’d probably have been OK. It is such a massive tournament.”
Williams, meanwhile, reached the final of the Masters in 2023 but has now been knocked out in the first round in five of the past seven tournaments. And he’ll go back to basics as he looks to learn his lesson from the latest early departure.
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