Ronnie O’Sullivan made history last night by becoming the first snooker player ever to make 1,000 career century breaks during his commanding 10-4 victory over Neil Robertson to retain the Players Championship.
Rocket Ronnie – who has been conducting all his post-match interviews with an Australian – went into the tournament at Preston Guild Hall on 994 centuries but brought the roof down with a 134 break in the fourteenth frame which secured him his 35th ranking title.
There was also a bit of humour between O’Sullivan and Robertson at the end of the break as the 43-year potted the cue ball on the final black which prevented a 141 break – leaving Robertson to take home the £5,000 highest break prize on 140.
No one comes anywhere near the Rocket in terms of century breaks with seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry (775) and four-time Crucible successor John Higgins (745) the only other players to get past the 700 mark.
Robertson is fourth on the all-time list with 621, whilst only another two players in World Grand Prix winner Judd Trump and World Number One Mark Selby have surpassed 500.
