The ‘Class of 92’ – Three Remarkable Snooker Graduates
Three of the most successful snooker players the sport has ever seen all turned pro in 1992. Given the ‘Class of 92’ moniker, here we look at the careers and achievements of Messrs O’Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.
Class of 92: Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) and John Higgins have played snooker at the highest level for well over 30 years. ©GettyImages
Looking Back, 1992 Was a Year to Remember
In 1992, Party Politics won the Grand National during a general election year. John Major shocked Britain’s bookmakers by winning that election days later. In America, Bill Clinton was elected President. Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992, and it was also the year the first text message was sent.
Meanwhile, below the radar, 1992 was the year a trio of remarkable snooker players joined the professional ranks. No one could have predicted they would proceed to change the face of the sport. Collectively, they won 14 World Championship titles in 24 years.
Given the ‘Class of 92’ label, this elite snooker threesome has rightly been compared to the ‘Big Three’ of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal in men’s singles tennis. However, their time at the top spans decades, and it is doubtful that their winning ways have ended.
So, who are members of the ‘Class of 92’? What have they won? And will snooker or any other sport ever see three supremely talented players rise head-and-shoulders above all rivals, despite arriving on the scene in the same year, again?
A Rocket, a Wizard and a Potting Machine Are the Class of 92
Mark ‘the Welsh Potting Machine’ Williams is the oldest of the ‘Class of 92’, nine months older than the youngest of the trio. Born in a coal mining village and the son of a miner, Williams won his first junior event at age 11 and recorded a 147 break before his 18th birthday.
Two months Williams’ junior is John ‘The Wizard of Wishaw’ Higgins. The Scotsman, from Wishaw near Glasgow, clashed with his Welsh rival in two major junior finals before the pair developed a keen rivalry during the subsequent 30-plus years on the pro circuit.
Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan completes the ‘Class of 92’. Born in the West Midlands but very much an Essex boy, he won the World Amateur Under-21 Snooker Championship at 16. At the 1993 UK Championship, aged 17 years and 358 days, he became and remains the youngest player to win a ranking title .
What Have the Class of 92 Won?
Between them, the ‘Class of 92’ have won 14 world titles, 13 UK Championships and 12 Masters. Their achievements are remarkable, given they have had to compete with one another for success throughout. On more than one occasion, all three of them have reached the semi-finals of the World Championships.
The breakdown of their 39 Triple Crown victories is as follows: 23 for O’Sullivan (7 Worlds, 8 UK Championships, 8 Masters); nine for Higgins (4 Worlds, 3 UK Championships, 2 Masters); seven for Williams (3 Worlds, 2 UK Championships, 2 Masters).
At least once, all three have won the British Open, Welsh Open, World Open, China Open, German Masters, and European Masters. By the start of 2025, notwithstanding it is the year they will celebrate their 50th birthday, the ‘Class of 92’ had claimed 98 ranking events.
From May 1998 until the present day, either O’Sullivan, Higgins or Williams has been the world’s top-ranked player more than 50% of the time. Higgins never once dropped out of the top-16 in the world rankings in 29 years!
Class of 92’s Amazing Career Statistics
- The trio has recorded 31 officially recognised maximum (147) breaks – of which O’Sullivan has made 15, Higgins 13, and Williams three.
- There have been 14 maximum breaks registered at the World Snooker Championship. The list includes all three members of the ‘Class of 92’.
- Higgins is the oldest player to make a maximum break in professional competition. His most recent 147 came in the 2024 Championship League when he was aged 48 years and 268 days.
- The ‘Class of 92’ has collectively compiled over 2,900 century breaks in professional competition. O’Sullivan passed the 1,200 mark in April 2023. Higgins reached the 1,000 milestone in September 2024.
- John Higgins has finished runner-up in the World Championship four times. Williams and O’Sullivan have also been beaten finalists.
- At least one member of the ‘Class of 92’ featured in 18 of the 25 World Snooker Championship finals contested between 1998 and 2022.
- ‘Class of 92’ players have met in two World Championship finals.
Class of 92’s Cultural Significance and Recognition
Unsurprisingly, the ‘Class of 92’ is celebrated for their contributions to snooker’s popularity. They are very different characters, and their stories – from overcoming personal challenges to high-profile controversies, dedication and sportsmanship – have added many layers to snooker’s narrative.
Their ongoing success at an age when many players retire or suffer a significant decline in performance is a testament to the Class of 92’s skill and love for the game. And that has been recognised by the Royal Family.
All three players have been honoured for their contributions to snooker. Williams and Higgins received MBEs in 2004 and 2009, respectively. O’Sullivan was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list in 2016.
History Will Not Repeat Itself Anytime Soon
Will snooker ever see the likes of this fantastic class again? It has to be considered very unlikely. Luca Brecel, now aged 29, and Kyren Wilson (33) won the 2023 and 2024 World Championships and have collected a combined 13 ranking titles. However, they turned pro in separate years.
2019 World Champion Jud Trump is considered the O’Sullivan of his era. But he turned professional in 2005, and no other players from that crop – including Dave Gilbert, Jamie Jones and Michael Holt – have become serial winners.
