White ready for Masters

White: Masters return

I'm sure I'm going to be nervous come Sunday to step out at the Masters again, but I'm feeling more excited than nervous as it's great to be back there.

Jimmy White
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Jimmy White has emerged from his jungle adventure fitter and more focused than some time, and he believes he still has the game to walk away with the Masters title.

The ever-popular left-hander has been given a wildcard into the Masters tournament, with his popularity at an even greater level thanks to his television success in the Australian jungle.

The Whirlwind will have more fans than ever backing him in his hometown when he walks out at Wembley Arena on Sunday to take on Mark King.

Although White is now a TV celebrity he insists he is not just going to make up the numbers at the Masters, and his new practise regime has his game in great order.

The 1984 Masters champion has total belief that he can reclaim the title 26 years on, insisting he would still not be plodding away if he felt he could not win a major tournament.

Fitter

"I lost around 22lbs when I was in the Australian jungle and feel a lot fitter now," White said.

"I feel like I have a lot more energy and learnt an awful lot about working as a team and surviving without things like mobile phones, computers and a snooker cue.

"Sometimes having a break is good. Now I'm back practicing hard for the Masters and I'm confident I can go all the way.

"I'm going to win the tournament. I've put in a lot of practice in the last 18 months, obviously in the jungle I didn't practice for that month.

"But I started back on the practice table in November and apart from Christmas and New Year's Day I've been on the table every day and my game is definitely back up at a decent level."

Nerves

White will be feeling the nerves when he returns to Masters action on Sunday, but he insists he would not still be toiling away on the circuit without a belief he can win tournaments.

Being outside the top 16 means that White has to play at the qualifiers at Prestatyn in front of a handful of people, so he will be glad to have a more usual huge crowd behind him at Wembley.

"I'm sure I'm going to be nervous come Sunday to step out at the Masters again, but I'm feeling more excited than nervous as it's great to be back there.

" I love the event and I love the game and I'm still enthusiastic to be playing and I'm sure I've still got the game to compete with the best.

"My love of the game is still there and that's why I'm still playing, I wouldn't do all the travelling and playing through qualifiers at my age if I didn't love it and still feel like I can compete."