Jimmy White’s dream of returning to the Crucible will stretch to 20 years after he once again failed to qualify for the World Championship.
And his latest heartbreak could have huge ramifications on his future in snooker after dropping to 93rd in the rankings – his lowest-ever position.
2
The 62-year-old lost 10-5 against Ashley Carty in the second round of qualifying on Friday night at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
It means that the six-time finalist has now not featured at the World Championship since crashing out in the first round in 2006.
He has lost in every qualifying tournament since, and his most recent loss could now see him lose his professional status.
Having fallen to 93rd in the latest rankings, it means that White has been relegated from the World Snooker Tour.
Only the top-64 players in the two-year rankings automatically gain a tour card, as well as four who are not safe from the one-year list.
White regained his tour card in 2023 after being deemed as one of those four players that were not safe.
That year saw him qualify for the UK Championship, but it’s been a hugely disappointing 2024/25 season so far for ‘the ‘The Whirlwind’.
The only ranking ever where White has reached the last-32 has been at the Northern Ireland Open.
He may now need to take a trip to Q School in order to remain on the circuit.
Although there remains a chance he could receive another invitation tour card.
2
White has previously benefited from this before on three occasions as a result of his lifelong services to the sport.
The veteran recently told former foe Stephen Hendry he plans to carry on playing for a further three years in his quest to seal a dream return to the Crucible.
He said: “For me to still be able to play and compete now is like a godsend.
“I’m going to play for another three years, and if I don’t win a tournament I’m going to stop.
“I’m 62. People think, ‘Why are you doing it? You’re nuts.’
“I’m trying to work on the mental side.
“I get myself so at it because you play so well practising, but all of a sudden you cannot pot a ball.
“You love the pressure, because that’s half the buzz.”
