Ronnie O’Sullivan produced a moment of sporting history on Friday, and the Ronnie O’Sullivan 153 break is now the biggest talking point from the World Open in China. The seven-time world champion compiled the highest-ever break in professional snooker during his quarter-final win over Ryan Day, sealing a dominant 5-0 victory in Yushan.
O’Sullivan, 50, added another landmark to one of the sport’s most decorated careers. The result also sent him into the World Open semi-finals.
O’Sullivan’s break of 153 surpassed the traditional maximum break of 147 and is now being recognised as the highest official break ever achieved in professional snooker. The frame began when Ryan Day conceded a foul, which allowed O’Sullivan the opportunity to start with a free ball and create an unusual scoring chance.
Current coverage says the previous professional record was 148, set by Jamie Burnett in 2004. That made O’Sullivan’s achievement a new benchmark in the professional game.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's historic 153 break! The highest ever in snooker history 🤯pic.twitter.com/8XwxGWV8EB
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) March 20, 2026O’Sullivan in World Open Semi-Finals
The record came in a one-sided quarter-final against Wales’ Ryan Day. O’Sullivan wrapped up a 5-0 win to book his place in the last four of the tournament in Yushan.
Reports also say he was due to face Wu Yize in the semi-finals, underscoring the significance of the performance in the tournament’s wider context.
In snooker, 147 is widely known as the standard maximum break. However, a free ball at the right moment can create a higher scoring path, which is how O’Sullivan reached 153. Coverage of the match noted that the theoretical maximum in such a scenario is 155, meaning O’Sullivan came close to the highest possible total under those conditions.
That makes the break remarkable not only because it broke a record, but because it showed O’Sullivan’s precision under rare scoring conditions.
O’Sullivan already holds a long list of major achievements, and this latest feat adds to his reputation as one of snooker’s defining players. The World Open performance stood out for both the score itself and the ease with which he controlled the match.
