Three-time world champion Mark Williams was crowned the champion of the “Wynn Presents: 2023 Macau Snooker Masters” tournament, claiming the coveted top prize of £80,000 (MOP819,000). Williams secured a hard-fought victory over Jack Lisowski, the World No. 16 player, with a final scoreline of 9-6 on Friday.
The invitational Macau Masters tournament, which was hosted by the local integrated resort operator Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. and supported by the Macau Sports Bureau, unfolded at the Grand Theater of Wynn Palace from December 25 to 29.
The sell-out event brought together eight of the world’s elite snooker players for a thrilling series of clashes this week in Macau, captivating both residents and tourists. The star-studded line-up included: Ronnie O’Sullivan, the legendary seven-time World Snooker Championship winner; Judd Trump, the current World No. 2 player from England; Ding Jun Hui from China, the first Asian player to reach the World No. 1 snooker ranking; Marco Fu from Hong Kong, China; and others.
Reflecting on his triumph, Williams expressed his delight, stating, “This [tournament] has been fantastic, and I think every player wants to come back.”
He also commended the organisers of the Macau Snooker Masters, adding, “Hopefully this could be a regular event in the snooker calendar.”
Lisowski, the finalist, shared a similar sentiment, praising the hospitality of the people of Macau and the incredible hotel. “It’s probably one of the best weeks in my life,” the English player remarked.
Wynn also highlighted the significance of introducing this snooker tournament to the city. “In hosting high-quality events such as this Masters Invitational Tournament, the aim is to boost Macau’s image as a leading sports destination that hosts top-tier international sports events while also creating a platform for greater exchanges on a global level,” the company stated in a press statement prior to the tournament.
Ultimate showdown
En route to the highly anticipated final, Williams from Wales delivered a commanding 6-3 victory against Si Jiahui, the up-and-coming Chinese snooker star, in the quarterfinals. He then proceeded to defeat Judd Trump 6-2, solidifying his path to the final showdown. Meanwhile, Lisowski secured his spot in the final showdown by eliminating fellow compatriot Kyren Wilson 6-2 and dominating Fu from Hong Kong with the same scoreline earlier this week.
Williams took an early advantage in the opening session of the final on Friday afternoon, rushing off with a 2-0 lead. However, Lisowski showcased his skill and competitive spirit by equalising the game, impressively pocketing the fourth frame with a masterful 147 maximum break, which garnered cheers and applause from the crowd at the packed Grand Theatre in Wynn Palace.
Lisowski was the first player to pull off this feat in the Macau tournament. But the blistering opening session concluded with Williams leading 5-3.
The second session of the final resumed on Friday night, providing a fresh start for both players. Lisowski made a strong comeback, securing the first two frames of the second half and levelling the game at 5-5. However, Williams skillfully fended off his opponent’s resurgence, surging ahead again by winning the next three frames.
On the brink of defeat, Lisowski mounted a remarkable comeback, narrowing the gap against Williams and trailing by just two frames. However, after a series of strategic exchanges in the 15th frame, Williams broke the stalemate and secured a 9-6 victory over Lisowski.
During the prize ceremony held shortly after the final, Sports Bureau President Pun Weng Kun, Linda Chen, President and Vice Chairman of Wynn Macau, and other distinguished guests presented the prize cheques of £80,000 and £30,000 to Williams and Lisowski, respectively.
“Overall, I played pretty well in this tournament, and I’m happy with the win,” expressed Williams.
Reflecting on his loss in the final, Lisowski remarked, “It’s a bit of a shame that I missed a few balls today… but I played great all week, and I had so much fun.”
“Mark played great today, and obviously, Mark is one of the greatest players ever,” Lisowski continued, acknowledging Williams’ skill. He also mentioned his intention to learn from Williams, particularly in taking time during crucial moments of the game.
The 2023 Macau Snooker Masters was also jointly organized by StarMac Entertainment & Production Limited, Macao Billiards General Association, and Sailing Up Sports. The event kicked off with an exhibition game between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ding Jun Hui on the first day (December 25), followed by official games over the next four days.
Besides the thrilling clashes on the snooker table, some of the players, including Marco Fu and Si Jiahui, also took the opportunity to visit the local community earlier this week, enjoying a stroll at the “Rua da Felicidade Pedestrian Zone” in downtown Macau. This pedestrian zone is a community revitalization project launched by Wynn in collaboration with the Macau government in September. It incorporates a wide range of attractions and amenities designed to entice visitors and boost the local community economy.
More top-notch sports events
According to Wynn, the Macau Snooker Masters helps “advance the collaborative development of the city’s tourism and leisure sports industries and solidify Macau’s role as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure to boost its international image.”
“Wynn will continue to take the lead in introducing top-tier events and festivals to Macau, including a variety of world-class tsporting events, MICE conferences and conventions, as well as art festivals, with the goals of broadening Macau’s international appeal and [bolstering] Macau’s role in the international sports community,” the operator said in the statement.
In tandem with the Macau government’s “1+4” diversification development strategy, which positions the city as a global tourism destination while nurturing emerging sectors like modern finance and sports, Wynn has joined forces with The International Series to host a prestigious golf tournament in March 2024. The event, named The International Series Macau presented by Wynn, will be one of the ten International Series events in the 2024 season on the Asian Tour, the leading men’s professional golf tour in Asia.
*This article is part of the MNA Wynn Macau Tourism Plus Partnership Series
