'I was having breakfast in a Wetherspoons' - Mark Williams opens up on 11-hour day trip to Hong Kong Masters

Mark Williams has expanded on his whirlwind trip to Asia for the Hong Kong Masters, saying he was in the city for 11 hours. The Hong Kong Masters was the return of international snooker in Asia following the Covid-19 pandemic, but the schedule was thrown into turmoil when Zhao Xintong was forced to withdraw due to a positive coronavirus test. Ad Williams was summoned from South Wales, and revealed he was blissfully unaware of the situation until receiving a phone call the day before the event was due to take place.

Northern Ireland OpenWilliams says he’s been ‘stalking the practice table’ as fight to practice at venue continues10 HOURS AGO Speaking to Eurosport about his trip and loss to Neil Robertson, Williams said: “Anyone who suggested a day trip to Hong Kong, it is too far. “I was there for about 10, 11 hours. I arrived at my hotel at about 11.

They picked me up at 11:45, took me to the venue. Played, lost. Back to the hotel about 6:30.

Picked me up at 7 and back in the airport at 7:50. “I played alright to be fair. “It was just one of those phone calls.

I was having breakfast in a Wetherspoons and all of a sudden I am in Hong Kong the next day.” Williams was well compensated for his day out, and he would not have even contemplated it but for the sizeable cheque. “£22,500, I would never have gone if it was not for that money,” he said. “I knew I could not win, I knew I was going to lose to Neil Robertson, I had no problem with that.