sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Snooker Icon Who Holds Record Not Even Ronnie O'Sullivan Can Beat Makes History Again

Home> Snooker

Published 13:38 13 Oct 2025 GMT+1

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

The former world number 10 is known for his speed around the table.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

Advert

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
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."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Ronnie OSullivan, Snooker

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
4 days ago
6 days ago
  • Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images
    a day ago

    Shaun Murphy says 'someone might lose their job' in rant about bizarre World Championship mistake

    The Magician was not happy with two controversial moments in the match.

    Snooker
  • BBC
    4 days ago

    Snooker fans all make the same complaint about 'awful' part of World Championship coverage

    Fans watching the World Snooker Championship are not impressed.

    Snooker
  • Getty
    6 days ago

    What happened to snooker star who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan as an amateur on Crucible debut

    O'Sullivan suffered a shock first-round defeat at the World Championship as world number one.

    Snooker
  • Getty
    6 days ago

    Kyren Wilson names the match that changed his career before winning World Snooker Championship

    Wilson spoke exclusively to SPORTbible ahead of the 2026 World Snooker Championship.

    Snooker
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan Makes Feelings Clear on Stephen Lee Return After 12-Year Ban
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan To Launch Dedicated Snooker TV Channel Featuring New Format
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan Tips 'Amazing' 19-Year-Old as New Star of Snooker
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan Makes Feelings Clear on Stephen Lee Return After 12-Year Ban