Jimmy White

Bio

One of the most popular snooker players of all-time Jimmy White is best known for reaching the final of the World Championship on six occasions without being able to take the title.

A professional since 1980, away from the Crucible the Londoner has claimed all of the sport’s top honours including the Masters (1984) and UK Championship (1992) during an illustrious career.

Known as ‘The Whirlwind’ among fans for his flamboyant style of play, White has won ten ranking event titles in all and over 40 years on from his tour debut remains one of snooker’s most well-known exponents.

He reached his first World Championship final in 1984 losing out to Steve Davis 18-16, before going on to reach five consecutive finals from 1990-1994. In four of them he would meet Stephen Hendry,. Famously coming agonising close to victory in 1994, missing a black when amongst the balls during a deciding-frame.

During the 1992 tournament he became the first left-handed player to compile a 147 break at the Crucible Theatre and to this day remains one of only six players to have made a maximum at the World Championship.

His last ranking title to date came at the 2004 Players Championship in Glasgow where he defeated the late Paul Hunter 9-7 to triumph.

During the 2022/23 season, White enjoyed his most successful campaign for many years, qualifying for the televised stages of the UK Championship and earning enough ranking points to regain his professional status via the one-year ranking list.

In recent years White has enjoyed considerable success on the World Seniors Tour, winning several events including the World Seniors Championship on four occasions.

Early in his career he also had a strong amateur career, winning the English Amateur Championship in 1979 and the World Amateur Championship final the following year.

He has further won a number of high profile team events, including the World Doubles Championship alongside Alex Higgins and the World Cup as part of Team England in both 1988 and 1989.

Career Honours

WST Ranking Event Titles (10)

• 2003/04: Players Championship
• 1992/93: Grand Prix, UK Championship
• 1991/92: European Open, British Open
• 1990/91: The Classic
• 1988/89: Canadian Masters
• 1986/87: Grand Prix, British Open
• 1985/86: The Classic

Professional Non-Ranking Event Titles (18)

• 1998/99: Pontins Professional
• 1992/93: European League
• 1991/92: European Challenge
• 1990/91: World Matchplay, World Masters
• 1989/90: World Matchplay
• 1989/88: Hong Kong Masters
• 1985/86: Carlsberg Challenge, Malaysian Masters, Pot Black, Irish Masters
• 1984/85: New Zealand Masters, Thailand Masters, Carlsberg Challenge, Irish Masters
• 1983/84: Masters
• 1981/82: Scottish Masters, Northern Ireland Classic