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Associated Press

Ronnie O’Sullivan keeps breaking records in snooker – now, at age 50, he has made the highest-ever break in the history of the professional game.
The seven-time world champion cleared the table for a break of 153 in the first frame of his 5-0 win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China. The highest possible break is 155.
The previous biggest break in competition was 148, made by Jamie Burnett in qualifying for the UK Championship in 2004.
“I feel blessed to be able to achieve these things,” said O’Sullivan, who is widely regarded as the greatest-ever snooker player.
“I’m sure long past when I’m not here, there’ll still be people going, ‘That was pretty cool what that guy’s done’.”












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The “maximum” break in snooker is 147 – 15 reds, 15 blacks and all the colours – but a player can score more if he starts it with a free ball.
That happens when a player is snookered on all the reds following a foul by the opponent, so can nominate another ball as a red before potting a colour and then starting his break as normal.
This is what happened to O’Sullivan, who followed a free ball and a black by potting 15 reds, 13 blacks and two pinks to reach the colours, which he cleared up under huge pressure with history on the line.
The Englishman, who obtained Hong Kong residency in October 2024, smiled and laughed as he shook hands with Welshman Day, and appeared confused as he looked at the scoreboard.

“I was just thinking about trying to win the frame, you know,” O’Sullivan said. “And then it got to a certain point and I did realise and I was like, ‘It seems there’s too many balls on the table so something’s not quite right’.”
O’Sullivan already has a long list of records. He is tied for the record of most world titles with Stephen Hendry, has the most major titles (23), the most ranking titles (41) and most 147 breaks (17), including the quickest in just five minutes, eight seconds at the world championship in 1997.
Already this season, O’Sullivan, who has rarely played, has made two 147s in one match – in the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters.












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“I’ve been the first to do many things,” he said of his latest feat, “so I thought I’d get that one as well.
“For me, it’s the excitement and the buzz. If the excitement and the buzz is there, I can do great things. If not, I don’t get excited by it.”
Australian snooker player Neil Robertson, a former world champion, praised O’Sullivan.
“The best ever and the best there ever will be,” Robertson posted on X. “Snooker fans, I hope you’ve cherished him over the years in the joy he’s brought to millions over 4 decades.”


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Ronnie O’Sullivan makes snooker history with highest-ever break of 153 in China

Britain’s Ronnie O’Sullivan plays a shot during Frame 1 of his match against Ryan Day of Wales at the Snooker World Open in Yushan on Friday. Photo: AFP

Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) is congratulated by Ryan Day after making history. Photo: AFP

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China

Seven-time world champion, who obtained Hong Kong residency in 2024, achieves feat during 5-0 win over Ryan Day at World Open in Yushan


Seven-time world champion, who obtained Hong Kong residency in 2024, achieves feat during 5-0 win over Ryan Day at World Open in Yushan.


Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan makes snooker history with highest-ever break of 153 in China

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Seven-time world champion, who obtained Hong Kong residency in 2024, achieves feat during 5-0 win over Ryan Day at World Open in Yushan

Seven-time world champion, who obtained Hong Kong residency in 2024, achieves feat during 5-0 win over Ryan Day at World Open in Yushan