Snooker Icon Who Holds Record Not Even Ronnie O'Sullivan Can Beat Makes History Again

The man who holds the record for the fastest century break in a professional tournament has made history again, just days after turning 60.

Tony Drago, a former world number 10 who is widely regarded as Malta's greatest ever snooker player, is responsible for making the fastest recorded century in tournament play.

Back in 1996, he hit 100 in just three minutes and 31 seconds during a third-round clash against John Higgins at the UK Championships in Preston.

Drago, who also holds the records for the fastest victories in a best-of-nine-frames match (34 minutes) and best-of-17 (81 minutes), is still active on the legends circuit.

In fact, he made further history last week, winning the first tournament ever to be held on the newly-launched Pluto Snooker 900 TV channel.

Drago was named the inaugural 'Legends League 900' champion after winning all three of his matches to finish top of the four-man round robin.

Joe Johnson, the 1986 world champion, finished runner-up.

Ronnie O'Sullivan came close to breaking the fastest century record

Back in 2022, the great Ronnie O'Sullivan was seconds away from breaking Tony Drago's long-standing record during his match against Bai Langnin at the Scottish Open.

In fact, the seven-time world champion ended just three seconds short of Drago's achievement.

Speaking about his world record attempt, O'Sullivan said at the time: "The first part of the break I was just trying to do what you have to do, which is try and be as clinical as you can."

He added: "And then once the frame was won I thought 'let's see if we can beat the fastest [century break]. I knew Drago probably had it. So I just thought I'd start going for it, just a bit of fun really."

Ronnie O'Sullivan pictured at the 2022 Scottish Open. Image credit: Getty

Snooker legend Jimmy White, who watched on from the Eurosport studio, thinks Drago would have been "devastated" if O'Sullivan had beaten his record.

"He's had it for 26 and a half years," White added. "Ronnie just got in there and wanted to clear up. Not exhibition [snooker], but just playing fast stuff. He doesn't normally play this fast, it was free-flowing.

"If he plays like this tonight [against Ben Woollaston] he probably will beat Drago's 100 break [record]. Who knows, it's up to Ron."