Who will be next to join Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1,000 centuries club? Why snooker tons are so special

Four years ago this month, Ronnie O’Sullivan produced one of modern snooker’s most iconic moments by making his 1,000th competitive century in the Players Championship final. Ever the showman, O’Sullivan’s historic break came in the very last, title-winning frame amid wild scenes of celebration at Preston Guild Hall. It was, as commentator Clive Everton put it, a «storybook ending».

Ad O’Sullivan currently has 1,196 centuries to his name and is way out in front on this list, while a three-way race to become the second man to 1,000 takes place between John Higgins (928), Judd Trump (899) and Neil Robertson (891). Six-Red World Championship'I believe in myself' – Ding holds off Un-Nooh to end major title drought with Six Red glory11/03/2023 AT 12:32 Trump is likely to reach 900 at this week’s WST Classic. There will be no jubilant scenes accompanying this feat: spectators will not be admitted to Leicester’s Morningside Arena until the final day.

Even so, at just 33, his weight of scoring is formidable. O’Sullivan was 41 when he hit 900 centuries. Trump had been the opponent when Robertson made history as the first player to compile 100 centuries in a single season during the 2013/14 campaign.

Robertson celebrated as if he had won the title when the century of centuries was completed, leaving Trump somewhat non-plussed. In 2020, though, Trump himself achieved this milestone, making 102 centuries for the campaign compared with Robertson’s record tally of 103. These are numbers which would have been unthinkable 30 years ago.

In the 1991/92 season, in which he reached 12 finals and won nine titles, the great Stephen Hendry made 53 centuries. Times change. Back then, this put Hendry way ahead of the other players.