Ronnie O’Sullivan has rewritten the record books in snooker, achieving a historic 153 break at the World Open in Yushan, China, on Friday. The achievement surpasses Jamie Burnett’s previous record of 148, set during UK Championship qualifying in 2004.
The monumental break unfolded in the opening frame of O’Sullivan’s quarter-final match against Ryan Day. Day initially left O’Sullivan with a snooker, and a subsequent failed attempt to escape gifted the seven-time world champion a free ball. O’Sullivan capitalized, playing the green as an additional red before potting his opening black, establishing an early eight-point lead.
He then embarked on a remarkable sequence, successfully potting 15 reds, accompanied by 13 blacks and two pinks, before clearing the colors to reach the unprecedented 153. “A very special greeting to everyone who has written to me and congratulated me on the 153,” O’Sullivan said in a video posted on his social media accounts. “It was a great moment, I am very happy to have achieved it. Thank you to everyone who has supported me.”
Although the maximum break in snooker remains at 147 – achieved by potting all 15 reds with 15 blacks, followed by the six colors in sequence – the theoretical maximum possible break is 155. This higher score can be attained when a player is awarded a free ball, played as an additional red, and then continues with the standard sequence. According to World Snooker, the 155 has never been achieved in a professional tournament, though it has occurred in practice settings.
O’Sullivan has previously compiled a 147 break on 17 occasions throughout his illustrious career. The break propelled him to a dominant 5-0 victory over Day, securing his place in the semi-finals of the World Open. O’Sullivan remarked, “I could have tried to get the other black but I thought ‘I don’t think anyone’s made a break above 147 on TV’, so I thought I’d be the first.”
The 50-year-old’s achievement adds another chapter to his already legendary status in the sport, marked by seven World Championship titles, eight UK Championships, and eight Masters Championships. He currently holds a record of 41 Ranking Titles, 1,320 Century Breaks, and 17 Maximum Breaks, including the fastest ever recorded at 5’08’’, a record unbroken for 28 years.
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