JIMMY WHITE sensationally qualified for the UK Championship at the age of 60 and then vowed: I can win the title again.<br /><br />The Whirlwind gave everyone a reminder of his timeless ability on the baize as he booked his spot in the 32-player main draw at the Barbican in York.<br /><br />White thumped Welshman Dominic Dale 6-1 in a scrappy fourth and final round of qualifying in Sheffield.<br /><br />It was 30 years ago that he won this prestigious tournament by beating John Parrott in the final at the Preston Guild Hall.<br /><br />And he said: “If I didn’t think I couldn’t win, I wouldn’t play.<br /><br />“Where does this rank in my career? You will have to ask me after I win it<br /><br />“Because I am not here to make the numbers up. If I bring my A game, I can win the competition.”<br /><br />White – who was handed a two-year Tour Card in 2021 – dropped just five frames across four matches, notably beating Stephen Maguire 6-4 in his penultimate qualifier.<br /><br />He has become the first player in his 60s to reach the final stages of a major tournament for 29 years.<br /><br />The last pro to make the last 32 of a big tournament in their seventh decade was the Australia Eddie Charlton at the International Open in 1993.<br /><br />Though White mistakenly thought he might be next facing Jack Lisowski, it is an open draw and there is the prospect he could play a top name like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump or Mark Selby.<br /><br />White, who famously lost in six world finals at the Crucible, dedicated yesterday’s victory to his ‘Nana’ who has not been well recently.<br /><br />The world No.89 said: “We are very lucky us snooker players.<br /><br />“It’s not like football or boxing. If you have the passion to practice and you can still keep your game in fairly good shape, then you can still go on.<br /><br />“Look at me, I am still playing.<br /><br />“I don’t care who I play now. Listen, each one of these guys are in the top 16 for a reason because they are consistent.<br /><br />“They are all top players. I am down in the rankings because I am not consistent. But my A game can compete with any of them.<br /><br />“As we have gone on in the decades, you have Ronnie O’Sullivan who plays the game so exciting. You have Judd Trump back in form.<br /><br />“So, it’s a pleasure to be amongst these guys. I will go home now, rest and go to York on Friday.<br /><br />“I’m just so pleased. There is nothing wrong with my game, it’s only mental with me, and that’s what I am focused on that.”
