Published Friday, 20 April 2012
Northern Ireland's Mark Allen in action. (© Getty)
Forty years ago, Hurricane Higgins won his first World Championship and, ten years later, he repeated the feat amid emotional celebrations with his baby daughter Lauren.
Last year, Antrim's Allen evoked memories of those scenes when he defeated Matthew Stevens in the first round - watched by his own daughter, also called Lauren.
He reached the semi-finals in Sheffield in 2009, has been a World Championship quarter-finalist in each of the last two seasons, and is now enjoying having won his first ranking event at the World Open in China.
"He looks good - he's just won his first major," White said.
"He's got every chance, but there's a big mountain for him to climb to be up there with Higgins.
"But who knows ... He's a dedicated player, Terry Griffiths is his coach, and he looks good."
Allen - who like Higgins has often courted controversy - starts his campaign against China's Cao Yupeng, who will be making his Crucible debut, on Saturday evening.
World Snooker boss Barry Hearn, who has locked horns with the outspoken young player, said: "He's a young player, he's an attacking player, he's good to watch, he talks and he gets column inches.
"I love him. But he's also got to understand what he owes the game as well."