Michael White (snooker player)
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Michael White | |
---|---|
Born | July 5, 1991 , Neath |
Nationality | Welsh |
Professional | 2007– |
2008/09 ranking | 90 |
Highest break | 135 |
Michael White is a 16-year-old Welsh professional snooker player from Neath. He used to practice regularly at Morriston Snooker Hall. He is in the Guinness book of records as the youngest player to have ever made a century break: he made a break of 105 in March 2001, when he was aged nine years old. [1] In 2001, he was invited to the Crucible, where John Parrott commented: 'I hope I've retired before I have to play him!' [2] He won a number of junior, and later amateur events, and in 2006 he became the youngest ever winner of the IBSF World Grand Prix, winning it aged 14. [3] He also won the European under-19 Championship, beating Vincent Muldoon in the final. [4] He is now the resident professional at the Whitez Snooker Club in the Uplands, Swansea. [5]
[edit] Turning professional
He turned professional for the 2007/2008 season, but he wasn't allowed to play in the first ranking event of the season, the 2007 Shanghai Masters, as it fell short of his 16th birthday, allowing his opponent, Lee Walker, a walkover. Previously Shaun Murphy had been allowed to play aged 15.[6] On this, White commented: 'I'm trying to be laid back about it; if I get too worried, it might upset the rest of my season.' [7] In his first professional match, the Masters qualifying, he shocked Leicester player Tom Ford 4-0, however he lost to eventual champion Barry Hawkins 4-2 in the following round. His first season on the Main Tour was relatively unsuccessful, winning only four matches in the seven ranking events. In his first ranking tournament, the Grand Prix, he finished last in his group, beating Tony Drago but losing his other 6 matches. His most successful run was beating Shailesh Jogia 10-4 with a top break of 118, in the first round of the World Championship qualifiers, but he lost 10-4 to Barry Pinches in the next. These results mean he will most likely drop off the Main Tour, but aged only 16 he will most likely have other chances to get back on, and the experience will stand him in good stead.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Kid potter heads for record books. BBC (2001-03-28). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Profile at globalsnooker.co.uk (2005). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- ^ Prodigy White claims world crown. BBC (2006-03-03). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Profile on World Snooker. World Snooker (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ Whitez Snooker & Pool. Whitez Snooker & Pool (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ Rising star denied entry to Shanghai Masters. Guardian Unlimited (2006-06-26). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- ^ White has to wait. Evening Echo (2006-06-25). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.