Ronnie O’Sullivan makes superb 153 document break at World Open and the way snooker ace did it
Ronnie O’Sullivan has made history by scoring the highest break ever in a professional snooker match, recording a stunning 153 against Ryan Day at the World Open in China
Ronnie O’Sullivan has made history(Image: Tai Chengzhe, VCG via Getty Images)
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has recorded the highest break ever achieved in a professional snooker match with a 153 against Ryan Day.
O’Sullivan has been competing in the World Open in Yushan, China, this week and has shown exceptional form, with the former world No.1 beating Matthew Selt and Shaun Murphy to reach Friday’s quarter-final against Day, reports the Express.
‘The Rocket’ maintained his brilliant display by establishing a new record in the opening frame against Day, compiling the largest ever break in a snooker match. Indeed, O’Sullivan compiled a stunning 153 to secure a 1-0 advantage, eclipsing Jamie Burnett’s previous record of 148, reports the Mirror.
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The 50-year-old completed a 16-red clearance after receiving a free ball earlier in the frame, and he seized this chance by mercilessly clearing the table.
He began his break by potting the green as the 16th red and for the majority of the break an incredible 155 total maximum appeared possible, with O’Sullivan potting immaculately and seldom finding himself out of position.
Nevertheless, O’Sullivan finished up marginally off-target on one shot, and while he still managed to pot it, he had to settle for the pink rather than attempting the black ball.
‘The Rocket’ potted another pink after sinking the final red, then went on to pot the remaining six colours to reach 146, presenting him with the chance to compile the highest ever break in a professional snooker game.
Under immense pressure, O’Sullivan maintained his composure to sink an extraordinary black – sitting along the top cushion – to reach 153, to the delight of spectators in the arena and across the world.
Despite dropping the frame, Day showed real class by clapping his opponent as O’Sullivan looked almost bewildered after completing the 153 break, with Neal Foulds equally shocked in the commentary booth.
After recovering his composure, Foulds posted on X regarding the historic moment, writing: ” Ronnie O’Sullivan has just made a breaking 153 in the opening frame of his #WorldOpen match. Mindblowing [five exploding head emojis].”
He added: “A privilege to be here to watch that. To speak over it. That was an incredible moment for me just to watch O’Sullivan do what he did there. A break of 153, it’s almost like: ‘Did it really happen? Have I dreamt it?’ Incredible stuff.”
O’Sullivan’s achievement smashes the previous record for the highest professional break held by Burnett, who managed a 148 at the UK Championship qualifiers in 2004.
The 2025/26 season has thus far been disappointing for O’Sullivan, though he is now poised to book a semi-final place at the World Open as he commands a 4-0 advantage in a best of nine against world No.36 Day.
