Snooker legend Jimmy White has fallen short in his latest bid to return to the Crucible Theatre, extending his absence from the sport’s biggest stage to 19 years after a 10-5 loss to Ashley Carty in the second round of World Championship qualifying.

62-Year-Old White Falls Short in Second Round

The 62-year-old, currently ranked 93rd in the world, had opened his 45th World Championship campaign with a vintage comeback win against Ukraine's Anton Kazakov, thrilling fans with six straight frames. But lightning didn’t strike twice for “The Whirlwind” as Carty stormed into a 5-1 lead, and despite a brilliant 107 break from White, he was unable to turn the match around.

Carty, 29, sealed the win with composed breaks of 62 and 63 in the final two frames, ending White’s hopes for a fairytale return to the Crucible.

The Crucible Wait Continues

White last appeared at the Crucible in 2006, when he lost in the first round. Since then, he’s made annual attempts to qualify but has fallen short each time. Despite his legendary status and six Crucible final appearances between 1984 and 1994, White has never lifted snooker’s biggest prize.

World Championship Qualifying – How It Works

The World Championship qualifying tournament features 144 players, with 16 advancing to join the top 16 ranked players at the main draw at the Crucible in Sheffield, which begins on April 19. Players enter the qualifying rounds based on their current rankings, with lower-ranked players starting earlier in the draw.

What’s Next?

The 2025 World Snooker Championship officially kicks off on April 19, with the world’s top players set to battle for the prestigious title at the Crucible Theatre.

Stay tuned to Sportsligue.com for complete World Championship coverage, match highlights, and expert analysis as the road to snooker glory begins.

SportsLigue