Ronnie O’Sullivan celebrated a ‘pretty cool moment’ after making the highest break in professional snooker by hitting a 153 at the World Open on Friday morning.
The 50-year-old achieved the unprecedented feat after leaving quarter-final opponent Ryan Day in a snooker at the start of the opening frame and the Welshman’s failed attempt to get out of it handed O’Sullivan a free ball.
That allowed the seven-time world champion to start his break with the green – for one point – followed by his opening black to put him on eight points before even beginning on the reds.
O’Sullivan then reeled off the 15 reds, accompanied by 13 further blacks and two pinks before clearing up the colours to land a record-breaking 153.
His rapid start paved the way for a dominant 5-0 victory as O’Sullivan stormed into the semi-finals in China.
O’Sullivan’s 153 break surpassed the previous tournament record of 148, by Jamie Burnett in qualifying for the 2004 UK Championship. Against Leo Fernandez, Burnett took the brown as the free ball, then potted the brown again followed by the 15 reds with 12 blacks, two pinks and a blue, then the six colours. That was the first time a player had surpassed 147 in a professional match.
In theory, the highest achievable break in almost every snooker tournament is 155 – if a player pots a free ball, followed by the black, 15 reds and 15 blacks and the colours.
However, in the Saudi Arabia Masters a 167 is achievable as the tournament has a golden ball worth 20 points which can only be potted after a player has made a 147. It is placed on the baulk cushion above the brown ball, and kept on the table until a 147 is no longer possible.
After his match on Friday the Rocket thanked fans, posting a video on X in which he said: ‘Just wanted to say a big shoutout to all the people who’ve been messaging me, congratulating me on the 153.
‘It was a pretty cool moment, happy to do it. Thank you to everyone out there who’s supported me. Keep enjoying the snooker in Yushan.’
O’Sullivan has played only sparingly this season – and withdrew from the Masters in January – but appears to be in superb form just a month out from the World Championship in Sheffield.
Last season he reached the semi-finals at the Crucible, losing to eventual champion Zhao Xintong.
World No3 Neil Robertson was full of praise for the Rocket after his record break, posting on X: ‘The best ever and the best there ever will be. Snooker fans I hope you’ve cherished him over the years in the joy he’s brought to millions over 4 decades.’
