Jimmy White bridges astonishing 47-year gap with 322nd century break in elite snooker
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 02/08/2022 at 15:48 GMT
Jimmy White made his 322nd career century during a 5-4 win over Andrew Pagett in the first round of the European Masters. At the age of 60, White's sparkling 133 came 47 years after he first made a ton as a teenager. His landmark effort also arrived 42 years after he first registered a competitive century at the 1980 Canadian Open. Watch snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+
Can Jimmy White recreate Judd Trump's 'genius' shot?
Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White made his 322nd century as a professional to qualify for the European Masters later this month as the six-time world finalist continues a remarkable 42-year career.
In recovering from 3-0 behind to defeat Welshman Andrew Pagett 5-4, White compiled a vintage 133 break in the eighth frame to secure a last-64 meeting with Dominic Dale in the German city of Furth live on Eurosport (16-21 August).
At the age of 60, White's latest century comes 47 years after he first made a ton as a teenager in Tooting.
"By the time I was 11 I was spending nearly every day with (fellow player) Tony Meo at a place called Zan's in Tooting in south London playing, practising," he said in 2007.
"By the age of 13 I'd made a century break and taken money off everybody in every place I played."
White's landmark break arrived a remarkable 42 years after his first registered professional century, a 104 break against close friend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins in the last 16 of the 1980 Canadian Open, the same year he lifted the World Amateur Championship.
In completing his first win since last year's British Open, the three-time World Senior champion's century justifies his extended status as a wildcard on the professional circuit.
Former World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn rated him among his top 10 players of all time in 2020.
"There are so many contenders for the final place when you think of fabulous competitors like Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Peter Ebdon. The list goes on. All great players, but I'm going to go for my old mate Jimmy White," said Hearn.
"When I watch the old school snooker, how this bloke didn't win a world title is beyond me. I keep watching it still expecting him to win. He's in positions where you wonder: 'how can you fail Jim?'
"The game owes him because he was such an amazing, exciting player. He's a great bloke and a true ambassador for snooker."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2022/08/02/3426860-69922368-2560-1440.jpg)
Snooker player Jimmy White poses beside a new model Austin Montego. 11th May 1984.
Image credit: Eurosport
White's longevity stands up well against memorable green baize icons of yesteryear.
Audacious Welsh potter Cliff Wilson made a break of 100 aged 60 at the 1994 International Open, five months before he sadly died.
Eight-time world champion Fred Davis, a pioneer of the sport in the post-war era, remains the oldest man to make a century break at the World Championship aged 65 in 1979.
- - -
Stream top snooker action live on discovery+ and on eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement