Michael White became the fourth Welshman to reach the last 32 of the Championship League in Leicester by topping Group 23 on seven points at the season’s first ranking event.
After compatriots Ryan Day, Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens reached the second phase of the season’s first ranking event, White showed his quality to edge out former UK champion Stephen Maguire with a 2-2 draw.
White hit breaks of 122 and 94 in a 3-0 win over Ryan Davies before completing a 3-0 win over Dean Young boosted by knocks of 83, 74 and 98.
Needing a point to progress against Maguire, White compiled a 59 in the second frame to move 2-0 clear with the Scotsman running in 111 and 54 of his own to finish third in the section, a point behind runner-up Davies and two adrift of White.
Elsewhere on Thursday, local favourite Joe O’Connor also advanced by winning Group 22 courtesy of a win over Oliver Lines (3-1) and two draws with Harvey Chandler (2-2) and Aaron Hill (2-2) respectively.
O’Connor’s 130 break in his 2-2 draw with Chandler was key to edging out Irishman Hill after the leading duo finished on identical records on five points from three fixtures.
The fifth day of the tournament continues on Friday with speed merchants Robert Milkins and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in action.
The eight group winners contest a further two groups with the winners meeting in the final.
There is £33,000 on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.
Championship League: Latest Group Winners
- Group 21: Neil Robertson (Aus)
- Group 11: Ryan Day (Wal)
- Group 4: Mark Williams (Wal)
- Group 17: Chris Wakelin (Eng)
- Group 25: Matthew Stevens (Wal)
- Group 31: Ashley Carty (Eng)
- Group 23: Michael White (Wal)
- Group 22: Joe O’Connor (Eng)