JIMMY WHITE began his 47th consecutive professional snooker season with a century break and a win – and then he declared: I still love the game.
The 64-year-old – one of the most famous cueists around – embarked on another campaign on Wednesday afternoon as he took part in qualifiers for the China Open.
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Jimmy White is still going strong at the age of 64 Credit: Getty
He started his 47th season with a win at the China Open Credit: Getty
At an age when most of his contemporaries from the 1980s or 1900s are either retired, working solely in broadcasting or passed away, the Whirlwind is still going strong and putting himself through the slog.
And all-time legend White, who turned pro in 1980, opened up with a fine display as he beat East London potter Sean O’Sullivan 6-2 in Leicester.
In frame seven, the penultimate frame of this contest, the South Londoner hit a 112 break and then he finished it off with a 59.
It is his first win since the Welsh Open in January where he beat Thailand’s Akani Songsermsawad 4-1, snapping a run of three straight defeats.
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White – who was beaten in six World Championship finals at the Crucible – has an invitational spot on the World Snooker Tour in recognition for his services to the sport.
Essentially, he can keep playing for as long as he wants and his enthusiasm does not seem to wane.
He will be back in action on Thursday evening against Louis Heathcote.
The winner of that match will then play China’s Yuan Sijun on Saturday morning.
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White needs three more wins to reach the final stages of the lucrative tournament in Taiyuan, China, in August.
White said: “I’m delighted with the win and I played well. We go again tomorrow.
“I still love the game and I have been working hard on the practice table.
“I’m happy for Sean to be back on the tour because snooker is in his blood.”
White, who is twice the age of 32-year-old O’Sullivan, has won 10 ranking tournaments, the highlight of which was his 1992 UK Championship win over John Parrott.
In terms of non-ranking events, he is a two-time Masters champion, winning the Triple Crown in 1984 and 1986.
