Tour Championship 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Mark Williams in massive final TODAY – latest snooker updates

Prize money

Here is what today's winner could be pocketing if they're able to come out on top at the end of the day.

• Winner: £150,000
• Runner-up: £60,000
• Semi-final: £40,000
• Quarter-final: £30,000
• First round: £20,000
• Highest break: £10,000

Ronnie's relaxing preparation

Ronnie O'Sullivan has been taking it easy while preparing for today's final.

The Rocket revealed he's been trying to relax with a massage in Manchester city centre.

He said: "My plan is to do some gym, hit the practice table, try to have some nice food.

“Enjoy the day off. Enjoy being in Manchester.

“I want to get myself a little massage. Maybe get some coaching lessons off Tony Knowles!"

Williams ready to "attack" O'Sullivan

Mark Williams isn't going to take it easy on his old rival Ronnie O'Sullivan when the pair face off in the final today.

Speaking ahead of the clash Williams explained how he plans to approach the match.

He said: "I'm just going to enjoy it. How many more times is this going to happen?

"I couldn't pick a better player to play in a final. I'm going to attack and try my best.

"I know I haven't played Ronnie in a final for a long time but that's because he keeps beating me before the final!"

Fast approaching

We are just over two hours away from today's final getting underway.

Both Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams put on dominant displays in the semi-final.

Who will wind up victorious today?

Session 1 - 1pm (Live on ITV4 and follow the action here)

Session 2 - 7pm (Live on ITV4 and follow the action here)

Ronnie's record hunt

This afternoon's clash with Mark Williams will be the third time that Ronnie O'Sullivan has reached the final of the Tour Championship since its conception in 2019.

The Rocket has now equalled the record for the number of finals reached which is also held by Aussie potter Neil Robertson.

Robertson currently holds the record for the most wins too (2), but an O'Sullivan victory this evening would mean he would also equal that record after his previous win in 2019.

As for Mark Williams it's a debut appearance in the final of this competition.

Ronnie's mental health battle

Ronnie O'Sullivan has opened up about his mental health and revealed he is speaking to his psychiatrist in order to work on his mental state.

I've just got to commit to it [speaking to a psychiatrist] now for a good year to try to get myself out of this sort of hole I've got myself in mentally with the obsession of the game, tinkering.

I know I'm never going to stop tinkering, but I have to somehow get my head strong enough to be able to deal with it and not go too deep into that horrible murky world that it is.

Every sportsman - maybe golfers, tennis players, snooker players - I suppose we all do it, but I went so deep into that it's like detoxing myself from it.

It kind of felt like I've had the yips in a way - mentally, physically - it feels like you get scared to even want to go and play.

That's not a nice place to be, so I've got nothing left to do other than to try to get myself mentally out of it and hopefully my game will start to flow again, maybe.

Ronnie O'SullivanITV4

How they got here

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams will do battle in the Tour Championship final today.

The pair begin their match this afternoon before bringing it to a conclusion later this evening.

Here's how both stars earned their spot in the final...

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
R1 - Bye
QF - Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-2 Ali Carter
SF - Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-7 Gary Wilson

MARK WILLIAMS
R1 - Mark Williams 10-9 Tom Ford
QF - Mark Williams 10-4 Judd Trump
SF - Mark Williams 10-5 Mark Allen

How to watch today's final

Ronnie O'Sullivan will take on Mark Williams in the final of the Tour Championship today.

The match will get underway from 1pm BST with the first eight frames being played, then the remainder of the final will be finished from 7pm.

You can watch all the action on ITV4 or stay right here for SunSport's ball-by-ball coverage from Manchester.

Williams reacts to semi-final triumph

He said post match: "I was a bit worried at 9-5. I had a couple of chances to win 9-1 or 9-2.

"Mark played really well after that. If it had gone 9-6 then I was really under it. But the break I made in the last frame was as good as any I made in the match, it's nice to know I've still got that bottle.

"In the first session my safety was really solid, my breaks and long potting were good.

"I could have easily had six or seven centuries during the match. He had one chance at 5-0 when he missed a tricky blue, apart from that in a lot of frames he was never in them because I tied him up in knots.

"At the end he wished me the best of luck in the final. Mark is more than capable of winning the world title, as for me, who knows? That's for other people to say.

"I know I haven't played Ronnie in a final for a long time but that's because he keeps beating me before the final!" 

Pool fan

Despite making it to the final, Mark Williams has revealed he loves playing pool and is focusing on that more.

"I probably enjoy playing Chinese 8 ball rather than snooker, to be honest.

"I just want to play more, I’d like to play more tournaments this year to see if I can get any better."

He then went on to add: "I’m definitely not retiring, but a lot more pool is on the horizon for me."

Williams reacts

I did a great break there really [to win match].
"As good as any I did in the whole match. I just knew I had to make a one-frame visit the way the match was going.
"I try to get my practice at the venues. I've been playing like that all season. Some of the people have played unbelievable snooker against me this season.
"If I had a pick to play in the final, it would be O'Sullivan. He's the best player by a mile at a packed venue."

Mark WilliamsITV Sport

Allen 5-10 Williams

The wait is over!

A break of 75 seals the win for Williams, who crosses over the line to the final.

It was an epic fightback from Allen, who certainly added some respectability to proceedings.

Allen 5-9 Williams

It really is game on here.

That's five straight frames from Allen, who is on fire and starting to believe he's in this.

The spectators are getting value for money here.

Allen 4-9 Williams

Allen sinks the black, but pots the white.

It doesn’t matter.

He wins yet another frame after amassing 81 points. Williams continues to wait for that elusive frame.

Stats

Allen 3-9 Williams

Williams has had a wobble here, and the fightback begins.

Allen has now won three on the bounce, as we break in play.

Could the most unlikely comeback ever happen?

Allen 2-9 Williams

Well, well, well.

Some mistakes slipping into Williams' game, who misses a few easy shots.

Allen takes advantage and adds another frame to his score.

Allen 1-9 Williams

Mark Williams will just have to wait that little bit longer.

Mark Allen has finally got a score on the board, winning the 10th frame.

It's surely too little too late?

Allen 0-9 Williams

That's an astonishing break!

141 gives Williams a 9-0 lead in this astonishing display.

He is just one frame away from the final.

Are we all set?

Mark Williams is just two frames away from a final berth.

Will the Welshman clean up in this evening session?

Or can Mark Allen achieve the mother of all comebacks?

Lots to answer for from 7pm.

Happy Williams

Mark Williams can be very happy with his display.

He looks destined for the final.