Mark Williams beat Shaun Murphy 10-3 in the Xi’an Grand Prix final to become the oldest winner of a ranking event.

Aged 50 years and 206 days, three-time world champion Williams eclipsed the record previously held by fellow Welshman Ray Reardon, who was 50 years and 14 days old when he won the Professional Players Tournament in 1982.

Williams, 50, has broken a 43-year record as he continues his late career renaissance.

In the last two years, Williams has won the 2023 British Open and 2024 Tour Championship, as well as reaching the final of the 2025 World Snooker Championship.

The left-hander’s 27th ranking title puts him one behind fifth-placed Steve Davis (28) in the all-time list, with Ronnie O’Sullivan leading the way on 41 ranking event wins.

Williams is also the first player to win a tour event in his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.

Earlier on Sunday, Williams came from 3-2 down to beat Daniel Wells 6-3 in their all-Welsh semi-final.

It was a scrappy match – neither player made a break over 50 in the first six frames.

Williams finally stamped some authority on the contest with a 129 break but was far from pleased with his overall performance.

“Honestly I don’t know how I’m in the final – I’ve been in no form at all,” Williams said.

Looking ahead, he added: “I’ve got to play a lot better than that in the final or they are going to trample all over me but I’m in the final and I will try my best.

“I don’t know how many ranking finals that is now but it’s great that somehow, I’m still doing it.”

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