- Ronnie O’Sullivan set a new professional snooker record by achieving a break of 153 in China.
- The historic performance occurred during a quarter-final match victory against Ryan Day at the World Open.
- O’Sullivan surpassed a long-standing record of 148 points previously established by Jamie Burnett in 2004.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has rewritten the history books by recording the highest-ever professional break in snooker. During the World Open in Yushan, the seven-time world champion achieved a remarkable score of 153. This milestone occurred in the very first frame of his quarter-final match against Ryan Day, which O’Sullivan eventually won 5-0.
The record-breaking sequence was made possible after Ryan Day failed to escape a snooker, resulting in a free ball for his opponent. O’Sullivan took full advantage of the rare free-ball opportunity by potting the green as an extra red. He followed this by potting the black and then systematically cleared 15 reds and 13 blacks.
To finalize the scoring, the 50-year-old added two pinks before successfully clearing all the remaining colors. This 153-point achievement eclipsed the previous record of 148, which was set by Jamie Burnett 22 years ago. While a 147 is typically considered a maximum, a free ball allows for a theoretical high of 155.
O’Sullivan expressed his joy on social media, thanking his supporters after reaching the unique milestone. He admitted that he chose to pursue the record specifically to become the first player to surpass a 147 break on television. The legendary player emphasized that maintaining a high level of excitement is essential for his focus.
Former champion Neil Robertson praised the English player, calling his talent unparalleled in British sports. Robertson noted that while 155 breaks have occurred in practice, O’Sullivan’s achievement in a tournament is a testament to his genius. Following this win, O’Sullivan prepares to face Wu Yize in the upcoming semi-final round.
