Snooker

World Snooker Championship: Jimmy White 100/1 for emotional Crucible return as the Whirlwind receives a bye into the second round

Mark Mothershaw Updated: 09 Apr 24 10:25

Jimmy White has been priced at 100/1 to make an emotional return to the Crucible later this month as he gears up for his opening World Snooker Championship qualifier on Wednesday.

World Snooker Championship Qualifying
To Qualify from Section 1

Jack Lisowski - 4/7
Matthew Stevens - 9/2
Liu Hongyu - 5/1
Jimmy Robertson - 6/1
Liam Davies - 40/1
Jimmy White - 100/1
Ryan Thomerson - 500/1

The Whirlwind last appeared at the fabled Sheffield venue back in 2006 - 18 years ago - when the six-time world finalist was beaten 10-5 by David Gray in the opening round.

Yet, despite entering the qualifiers in every year since, the 61-year-old has, as of yet, failed to secure himself one of the coveted 16 qualifying spots.

White was due to begin his latest quest against Martin Gould over two sessions on Monday, but the former German Masters winner has been forced to withdraw from the event on medical advice.

His absence means White has received a bye into the second round, where he will tackle up and coming Chinese star Liu Hongyu on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old reached his first ranking event semi-final earlier this season when he overcame the likes of Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams and Ding Junhui en-route to the last four of the English Open.

White meanwhile - who famously reached five successive world finals, without winning a single one, between 1990 and 1994 - has endured a more challenging campaign on the baize.

He's won just two of his 18 matches to date, both at the Scottish Open, and knows he will have to roll back the years if he is to come through an incredibly tough section of the draw.

Six-time ranking event finalist Jack Lisowski lies in wait for the winner of Wednesday's best-of-19 showdown with 'Jack-Pot' set to undertake his first qualifying campaign since 2018, after dropping out of the world's top 16 earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Matthew Stevens is also in the same section of the draw as White, meaning 'The Whirlwind' could get the opportunity to avenge his 2005 World Snooker Championship second round loss to the Welshman if he is able to overcome Hongyu and, potentially, Lisowski.

Other big names, such as former champions Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham, as well as world semi-finalist Anthony McGill, will also have to come through two arduous rounds of qualifying if they are to secure a Sheffield return.