Three-time world snooker champion Mark Williams has responded hilariously to John Higgins' claims that a hand-shake snub led to him blowing a World Championship lead in 2000.
And the 'Welsh Potting Machine' quipped that if that was all it took, he never would have shaken an opponent's hand.
Williams, 46, won the coveted title in 2000, 2003 and 2018, and though Higgins is no stranger to big prizes or events at the Crucible, he says that snub was his most memorable moment.
In a Lanarkshire Live Sport exclusive, Higgins said: "Although I last won the event ten years ago, the moment that always stands out was in 2000.
"I won the title in 1998, lost in the semi-final in 1999 against Mark Williams and I went back the following year and was playing Mark again.
"I was 14-10 in front going into the final session and I don't know exactly what happened.
"It might have been a genuine mistake, but Mark went to break off and he never shook my hand.
"Normally you shake hands before you start, but he went straight to the table to play.
"I was thinking that he hadn't come over but it completely broke my concentration.
"I was thinking about it the whole session and I ended up losing 17-15, when I was in a pretty commanding position, just needing three more frames.
"That always stuck with me even though I've won the tournament in the past and made finals."
Mark Williams MBE responded to the story and Tweeted: "I read that a couple of years ago, I can't even remember it, wasn't done on purpose - but if I known that's what it takes I wouldn't shake anyone's hand."
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