Ronnie O’Sullivan’s standout records: From the Rocket's World Championship haul to his fastest maximum break
Updated 20/03/2026 at 11:41 GMT
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On Friday, Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed a 153 at the World Open against Ryan Day - the highest break in snooker history. In turn, we have decided to compile some of the Rocket's most eye-catching records. Indeed, the 50-year-old, is widely considered to be the greatest snooker player of all time, with records set at the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters.
WATCH IN FULL - Every pot from O'Sullivan's history-making break of 153
Video credit: TNT Sports
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan made the highest break in snooker history on Friday, racking up a 153 at the World Open against Ryan Day.
The Rocket snookered Day at the start of the opening frame, before capitalising on the subsequent free ball with a green.
The 50-year-old then landed a black, before potting all 15 reds, accompanied by 13 further blacks and two pinks. He then cleared the colours to claim the record 153 haul.
The clearance helped O’Sullivan breeze to a 5-0 victory and secure a place in the semi-final, where he will face home favourite Wu Yize.
To mark O’Sullivan’s feat, we’ve decided to look back at some of the snooker great's most remarkable records.
Joint-most World Championship crowns
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‘I still feel a bit rusty’ – O’Sullivan jokes about form after historic 153 break
Video credit: TNT Sports
O’Sullivan holds the joint-record for the most World Championship crowns in the modern era, alongside Stephen Hendry.
He broke his Crucible duck in 2001 with an 18-14 victory against John Higgins in the final, before reclaiming the trophy in 2003, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.
As per the WPBSA, in 2008 he even became the first player to record three maximums in World Championship finals.
Other tournament hauls
Beyond the World Championship, O’Sullivan has won the UK Championship and Masters eight times each, more than any other player. In turn, he holds the record for the most Triple Crown titles, with 23 victories across the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.
To further stress the feats, O’Sullivan remains the youngest-ever winner of the UK Championship and the Masters, as well as the oldest at both events.
He has also won the Shanghai Masters (five), the Champion of Champions (four) and the Premier League (10) more than any other player.
Most ranking event wins
O'Sullivan holds the all-time record for the most ranking event titles, having so far claimed 41 across his career.
He surpassed Hendry's tally of 36 ranking titles.
Fastest maximum break
O’Sullivan’s first official maximum break, back in 1997, holds the record as the fastest 147 in competitive play.
While initially recorded at five minutes and 20 seconds, subsequent evidence suggested that the timer was started too early. Both World Snooker and the Guinness World Records now officially acknowledge it to have been completed in five minutes and eight seconds.
Two 147s in same match
In August 2025, O’Sullivan ended his seven-year wait for a maximum break in style, by becoming the first player to record two 147s in one match.
The snooker star recorded the feat in a 6-3 win over Chris Wakelin at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters semi-final.
O’Sullivan's first 147 came in the opening frame, while the Rocket’s second was in the seventh. He went on to describe it as the "maddest" game he had played.
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Most century breaks
O’Sullivan has also registered over 1,300 century breaks in his career - more than anyone else. Indeed, he became the first player in history to reach 1,300 centuries in the 2025 Saudi Arabia Masters final against Neil Robertson.
In 2022, O'Sullivan narrowly missed out on recording the fastest televised century break in a Scottish Open clash against China's Bai Langning. The snooker GOAT reached three figures in three minutes and 34 seconds, just three seconds shy of Tony Drago's mark from 1996.
The World Open runs between March 16-22, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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