Jimmy White began his 47th season as a professional player on the World Snooker Tour with a 6-2 victory over Sean O’Sullivan at the China Open qualifiers.
The Whirlwind first joined the main tour all the way back in 1980 and later became one of the most beloved figures in the history of the game.
Infamously a six-time World Championship runner-up, White’s career has also been one of success with ten ranking titles, a Masters crown, and plenty of other accolades to his name.
Although match victories and deep runs in tournaments have proven elusive in recent years, the Londoner’s love of the game has never waned.
White lost the opening frame of his contest with O’Sullivan at the Mattioli Arena on Wednesday, but he took the next three to establish a two-frame cushion at the mid-session interval.
O’Sullivan, who returned to the professional circuit after graduating from Q School last month, responded with a run of 51 to stay in touch.
But after White won the sixth, he shifted through the gears and rolled back the years with contributions of 112 and 59 to complete the first-round success.
“I’m delighted with the win and I played well,” White told the World Snooker Tour. “We go again tomorrow.”
“I still love the game and I have been working hard on the practice table. I’m happy too for Sean to be back on the tour, because snooker is in his blood.”
The China Open, back on the calendar for the first time since 2019, has adopted a similar tournament format to the UK and World Championships.
Matches in the four preliminary rounds are held over the best of 11 frames, with tiered entry meaning the the higher seeds enter later on.
In the second round, White will clash with Louis Heathcote as he continues his attempt to join the top 16 at the main stages in Taiyuan.
It was a busy schedule of matches, meanwhile, as the first day of the 2026/27 season got under way in Leicester.
While O’Sullivan couldn’t get his comeback off to a strong start, plenty of the other returning players made their early mark.
Alfie Burden thumped Patrick Whelan 6-0 and fellow Englishman Andrew Higginson beat Leone Crowley 6-4.
Three out of the four players who emerged from the Q Tour also won, with Jamie Clarke, Ashley Carty, and Craig Steadman each advancing.
Thailand’s Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon, returning to the main tour as a pro for the first time since 2016 after coming through Asia-Oceania Q School, beat Joshua Thomond.
Elsewhere, Reanne Evans secured a 6-4 triumph over Alfie Davies, but Panchaya Channoi – who overcame Evans to win the Women’s World Championship title in May – lost on her debut to Chen Ruifu.
Chen is one of several amateur top-ups making up the 144-strong field, with the likes of Robert Milkins, Mark Joyce, and Ryan Thomerson also taking advantage of the call-up.
The first round concludes on Thursday morning before the second round gets under way later in the day.
The full draw is available at snooker.org.
Featured photo credit: WST
