Jimmy White Wins World Seniors Championship at the Crucible

Jimmy White has beaten Darren Morgan 5-3 to capture the 2019 World Seniors Championship at the Crucible Theatre on Sunday.

In a bruising final at the iconic venue, the “Whirlwind” edged the Welshman to the delight of his legion of faithful fans.

It’s a poignant triumph in more ways than one for the 57 year-old from London.

White infamously suffered defeat in six World Championship finals at the Crucible during the heyday of his career.

By emerging with his name on the trophy this year, the first time a World Seniors Championship has been hosted on the Sheffield stage, White puts to rest at least a few demons of yesteryear.

It marks White’s second World Seniors Championship success after his previous win nine years ago and it extends his record haul of overall seniors crowns to five.

The former Masters champion was fortunate to escape from his quarter-final tie with Stuart Watson on Saturday but upped his game on the final day.

A break of 74 helped him to see off the challenge of James Wattana in the semi-finals, following Morgan into the title deciding match after the latter beat Leo Fernandez 3-0.

The showdown for the £25,000 champion’s cheque was a tense and often scrappy affair, perhaps understandably so with the ultimate prize at stake.

After the first six frames were shared, White compiled a timely high break of 86 to move to within one frame of securing the silverware.

Morgan had chances to force a decider but White held his nerve to finally lift a world trophy at the Crucible above his head.

I haven’t watched any snooker yet this season but this had me glued. You know what, it’s not perfect but by god how far it’s come. They are now serious events built from nothing going from strength to strength. I hope they carry on and iron out those final few things

— Shelley Higgins 🎱 (@Shellhiggins147) August 18, 2019

It brought to a conclusion this year’s edition of the World Seniors Championship, which was another success for the World Seniors Tour.

Bringing the tournament to the sport’s spiritual home was a masterstroke that will hopefully be repeated in future years.

The change to the format – with a deciding frame, if necessary, incorporating a regular frame instead of just a respotted black – also added to the sense of prestige.

The World Seniors Tour has made incredible leaps since White’s maiden triumph in 2010, when the tour didn’t even exist and the World Seniors Championship was just an invitational affair in its infancy.

The level of participation, from the former pros to the aspiring amateur qualifiers over the age of 40, and the genuine crowd appreciation for the series ensures that there’s a bright future ahead for the tour.

Indeed, White will be hoping for more additions to the calendar as he continues to shine on the world seniors stage.