But it is not just his age and talent that make Fordyce such a captivating player: His success and renown have grown as he has battled congenital heart disease that has led to eight heart-related operations. The most recent was last August, after Fordyce went to the hospital with what he thought was a cold. It turned out he was experiencing heart failure, a condition that required the installation of his fifth pacemaker and the replacement of a heart valve.

To the obvious worries that accompanied that surgery, Fordyce brought one other: concern over whether he would recover in time to play in the worlds.

“After every surgery, I always want to get back into it,” Fordyce said. “I’ll always play it unless I get to the point where I can’t physically play it.”

At end of the week, Stephen Mulliner of England took home the title, defeating David Maloof of the United States in a five-game final that lasted 11 ½ hours. At 62, Mulliner was the oldest player to be named world champion.