Ronnie O’Sullivan overtakes Jamie Burnett’s record for the highest break on the World Snooker Tour by hitting a 153 in his quarter-final win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China.
Last Updated: 20/03/26 12:53pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan made more snooker history
Ronnie O’Sullivan made the highest break in professional snooker by hitting a 153 at the World Open in China.
The 50-year-old achieved the feat after leaving quarter-final opponent Ryan Day in a snooker at the start of the opening frame, with the Welshman’s failed attempt to get out of it handed O’Sullivan a free ball.
That allowed the seven-time world champion to commence his break with the green, followed by his opening black to put him on eight points before even beginning on the reds.
🏆 Seven-time World Champion
🏆 Eight-time UK Champion
🏆 Eight-time Masters Champion
🏆 41 Ranking Titles
⭐️ 1,320 Century Breaks
⭐️ 17 Maximum Breaks
⏳ Fastest Maximum Break in 5’08’’, unbeaten for 28 years
🐐 The Greatest of All Time
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.
“It was a great buzz, I could have tried and got the other black but I thought nobody has ever made a break above 147 on TV so thought I would be the first,” he told the World Snooker Tour.
“I still feel a little rusty, I obviously haven’t played enough matches and tournaments, that’s what everybody seems to be saying. I’m still hoping to shake the rustiness off – that’s just a joke.
“I’m sure that’s up there (with other moments in his career), two 147s in one match was quite cool. I just wish I got paid more for it that’s all.”
His rapid start paved the way for a dominant 5-0 victory as O’Sullivan stormed into the semi-finals in China.
“Just want to say a big shoutout to all the people who have been messaging me, congratulating me on the 153,” said O’Sullivan in a video on X.
“It was a pretty cool moment, really happy to do it. Thank you to everyone out there that has supported me.”
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O’Sullivan is seeking to win his first ranking event on the world tour since beating Judd Trump 10-7 in the World Grand Prix final in January 2024.
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 four decades.”
The former world No 1, whose next tournament after this week’s World Open will be the World Snooker Championship in April, had reached the quarter-finals in China with wins over Matthew Selt and Shaun Murphy.
China’s Wu Yize defeated Mark Allen 5-1 to make the semi-finals with Trump in action against Hossein Vafaei and Thepchaiya Un Nooh taking on Gary Wilson later.
Jamie Burnett previously held the World Snooker Tour record with his 148 break in UK Championship qualifying back in 2004.
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O’Sullivan already has a long list of records 
O’Sullivan added another record to his vast collection
O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the greatest-ever snooker player.
He holds the record, alongside Stephen Hendry, for most World titles with seven.
The Essex cueman has the most major titles (23), the most ranking crowns (41) and the most 147 breaks (17), including the quickest in just five minutes and eight seconds at the world championship in 1997.
O’Sullivan, who only plays sporadically on the circuit in the latter years of his career, made two 147s in the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters in August.
“I still feel a little rusty, though – I obviously haven’t played enough matches and tournaments,” he said in a tongue-in-cheek comment. “That’s what everybody seems to be saying.”