Jimmy White’s victory in last week’s World Seniors Championship could potentially see him receive a Champion of Champions invite later this year.
Promoted by Matchroom Sport, the Champion of Champions is a lucrative invitational tournament that has been staged annually since 2013 in Coventry.
A total of sixteen competitors gain entry each season – predominantly through winning silverware in the previous twelve month period.
The World Seniors Championship wasn’t originally included in the criteria for qualification but victory for the popular “Whirlwind” has apparently forced the organisers into a rethink.
White’s 5-3 triumph over Darren Morgan on Sunday, which earned him £25,000, might still prove to not be enough in order for him to acquire a Champion of Champions invite.
Twelve other players, including defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and world champion Judd Trump, are already assured of their places at the Ricoh Arena in November.
Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh became the latest player in the draw earlier in August after Trump’s International Championship victory – the latter’s fifth counting event – helped see the Snooker Shoot Out speed king bag a maiden berth.
There are five incomplete tournaments left on the calendar this year that can count towards the final line-up.
Should there be repeat winners in three of those – that is, players who have already qualified via a prior route – White will be set to compete for 2019’s top prize of £150,000.
Sponsors put the money in, TV has its demands. Get the best mix in there that you can. I think Reanne should get a shot at it too, perhaps an opening match between the two to get into the group stages. That would be a decent watch and evenly matched @BarryHearn
— snookerbacker 🗣️ (@snookerbacker) August 21, 2019
The world seniors champion has been in the field twice before, in 2014 when Steve Davis qualified and again two years later as namesake Mark Davis featured.
Women’s world champion Reanne Evans, one rung ahead of White on the criteria ladder, could also earn a Champion of Champions invite for the first time should other results go her way.
