Jimmy White bridges astonishing 47-year gap with 322nd century break in elite snooker

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). Ad/> At the age of 60, White's latest century comes 47 years after he first made a ton as a teenager in Tooting.

European MastersO'Sullivan moves further ahead as world No. 131/07/2022 AT 08:39 «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