Three-time World Snooker champion throws TOWEL on table which lands on cueball with Judd Trump about to take shot

Three-time World Snooker champion throws TOWEL on table which lands on cueball with Judd Trump about to take shot.

 

 

 

Telford, England — In a moment that blended drama, humour, and pure snooker theatre, three-time World Champion Mark Williams dramatically threw his towel onto the table mid-match — and it landed directly on the cue ball just as Judd Trump was lining up his shot.

The bizarre incident unfolded during the quarter-final of the 2026 Players Championship on Thursday afternoon. Williams, trailing 4–3 to Trump, had just witnessed a jaw-dropping fluke: Trump attempted a long rebound shot on the blue, which cannoned off the cushion and miraculously dropped into the top-right pocket. Williams, visibly frustrated, tossed his black towel toward the table in exasperation — but instead of hitting the floor, it slid across the baize and settled squarely over the cue ball, inches from where Trump was about to strike.

“I didn’t mean to hit it,” Williams joked later. “But hey, if you’re gonna throw a towel, might as well make it count.”

Trump, ever the sportsman, laughed off the chaos. “I was ready to pot the pink,” he said. “Then suddenly there’s a towel covering the white. I couldn’t even see where to hit it!”

Referee Brendan Moore intervened swiftly, declaring the situation “unplayable” and ordering the frame restarted. No foul was called — Williams’ gesture was deemed accidental, though many saw it as a classic Williams flourish: emotional, theatrical, and utterly unforgettable.

Williams explained post-match: “I was upset after that fluke — felt like the game was slipping away. Tossing the towel was just me letting off steam. Didn’t expect it to land on the ball… but hey, Judd’s used to weird stuff. He just smiled and said ‘mate, you’re crazy.’”

Despite the interruption, Trump maintained composure and went on to win the match 6–3, booking his place in the semi-finals against John Higgins. Williams, though eliminated, earned applause for his fighting spirit — including a break of 105 to briefly level at 4–4 before Trump pulled ahead again.

The towel toss quickly became viral on social media, with fans dubbing it “The Williams Wipeout” and comparing it to legendary on-table antics by Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White. Some called it unsportsmanlike; others celebrated it as pure character.

“I’ve seen players kick cues, scream, even throw chairs,” said commentator Steve Dawson. “But throwing a towel that lands on the cue ball? That’s next-level drama. Mark’s always been a showman — this just proves it.”

Williams shrugged it off with trademark wit: “If I’d known it was going to end up on the ball, I’d have aimed better. Next time I’ll bring a magnet.”