WHITE 'N WRONG
Jimmy White crashes OUT of Snooker Shoot Out to former champion after legend makes rarely-seen gaffe
Six-time Crucible finalist couldn't believe his bad luck after bizarre error in quickfire tournament
JIMMY WHITE has seen it all in five decades as a snooker star.
And no disappointment will compare to losing all his six World Championship finals.
2
But at the age of 62 White produced what he called "schoolboy errors" - including a mistake rarely seen in the sport - amid a "devastating" defeat.
Even worse, it was a freak fumble that helped Thepchaiya Un-Nooh storm back to blast out the Whirlwind in the Snooker Shoot Out.
Exciting Thai star Un-Nooh won the quickfire tournament five years ago.
It's a one-frame knockout event lasting a maximum of 10 minutes a match - ideal for his game.
READ MORE TOP STORIES
The Shoot Out needs speed of thought as well as cueing - meaning you can predict the unpredictable.
And so it was in White's clash with a 39-year-old known for his fast play.
Un-Nooh had let in the two-time Major winner after fluffing a follow-up shot to a great pot of the red.
But after building well to lead 30-19, White blundered TWICE - with the second error quite bizarre for top-level snooker.
Most read in Snooker
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
First he was faced with a touching ball and, as he attempted a safety shot, accidentally pocketed the blue.
White then returned to the table to line up what looked a routine red.
Snooker legend Jimmy White walks out of match at Northern Ireland Open at critical point leaving opponent and ref bemused
But he brushed the cue ball before he took the shot - conceding a SECOND foul in rapid succession.
If that rendered White red-faced, it also left Un-Nooh perfectly placed.
And the younger man duly wrapped up a 75-30 win in front of a sometimes boisterous crowd at Leicester's Mattioli Arena.
However, White reckons he's "playing really well" - and is keen to extend his legendary career.
The fans' favourite joked to Eurosport: “I’m nearly in my 40s… [(but] I’m enjoying it so I’ll keep playing.”
2
Topics