Ronnie O’Sullivan has created more history after compiling a record-breaking competition break of 153 at the World Open in Yushan.
In the first frame of his quarter-final clash with Ryan Day, O’Sullivan received a free-ball opportunity and was able to begin his break by initially potting the green as a 16th red.
An incredible 155 total maximum-break clearance appeared to be on the cards for much of the break, with splits going perfectly and O’Sullivan rarely out of position.
But the Rocket ended just the wrong side of the penultimate red, and even though he was able to pot it, he ultimately decided against a tricky black and went for a pink instead.
While the maximum break was off the cards, a new record for the highest ever contribution in a professional match was still very much on.
O’Sullivan, who has made a record 17 breaks of 147, took another pink off the last red and proceeded to pot the first six colours to reach 146.
A delicate shot on the final black along the top cushion was required, but the 50 year-old stroked it in confidently to reach 153 – much to the amazement of everyone watching.
O’Sullivan and Day shared a moment of almost disbelief afterwards as they digested what had just happened, while Neal Foulds was equally dumbfounded in the TNT commentary box.
His contribution eclipses the previous record for the highest break that was set by Jamie Burnett, a 148 run at the UK Championship qualifiers all the way back in 2004.
O’Sullivan went on to add breaks of 110, 103, 95, and 62 to thrash Welshman Day in a scintillating whitewash display and reach the World Open semi-finals.
This season has not been the best for O’Sullivan, with only one ranking event final appearance and no silverware to boast about.
But the 2025/26 campaign has certainly been a memorable one, with the seven-time world champion compiling a brace of 147 breaks in the same match at the Saudi Arabia Masters.
O’Sullivan produced that moment of magic in a memorable semi-final performance against Chris Wakelin in Jeddah.
Now O’Sullivan has written another momentous chapter in his wonderful career as he becomes the player with the highest break ever made on the World Snooker Tour.
Featured photo credit: WST
Incredible and it had to be the rocket Ronnie O’Sullivan to put the glut of 147s in the last couple of years into perspective! Combined age of the Class of ’92 in 2026 will be 153 in a classic coincidence.