Ronnie O’Sullivan has become the oldest player to achieve a maximum 147 break.
In a commanding 6-3 victory over Chris Wakelin during the Saudi Arabia Masters semi-finals, Ronnie O’Sullivan recorded not one, but two 147 maximum breaks, thus becoming the oldest player to accomplish this feat.
The seven-time world champion showcased exceptional cue-ball control, securing his career’s 16th maximum break in the opening frame – his first in competitive play in seven years.
‘The Rocket’, set to face Neil Robertson in Saturday’s final, replicated the achievement in the seventh frame, pocketing 15 reds with 15 blacks, followed by all the colors.
The performance garnered acclaim from the Jeddah arena, including opponent Chris Wakelin, who lauded O’Sullivan as the greatest player of all time, stating, “That was special. What a player,” on social media., external
“I’ve never played that well in a match,” O’Sullivan remarked to the World Snooker Tour., external
“It’s about playing well, cueing well, and having the right mindset and focus. I felt that against [Kyren] Wilson [in the quarter-finals] – I had to concentrate and wanted to bring that same attitude into tonight.”
At 49 years and 253 days, O’Sullivan now holds the distinction of being the oldest player to achieve snooker’s highest break, securing a £147,000 bonus for achieving two maximum breaks across the Saudi Arabia Masters and the Triple Crown events: the UK Championship, Masters, and World Championship.
His previous competitive 147 break was at the 2018 English Open.
He is only the second player to record two 147s in a single match, following Jackson Page’s achievement during World Championship qualifying in April.
O’Sullivan’s total of 17 maximum breaks surpasses John Higgins, another member of the celebrated ‘Class of 92’, by four.
The Englishman, who also recorded breaks of 142 and 70, led 3-1 at the mid-session interval, demonstrating exceptional form throughout the evening.
While Wakelin countered with a 125 break to level at 3-3, O’Sullivan’s subsequent 147, followed by a 67 and a 134, sealed a dominant performance.
He is also poised to claim a two-thirds share of a £50,000 bonus for a 147, along with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who made the season’s third maximum earlier in the week.
In Friday’s earlier semi-final, at a tournament dubbed snooker’s ‘fourth major’ by organisers, Robertson secured a 6-3 victory against Elliot Slessor.
Despite neither player being at their peak, the resurgent Australian maintained control, highlighted by runs of 93 and 50, reaching the 39th ranking final of his career.
“The start was crucial today, I could see Elliot was a bit nervous and I was able to use my experience,” reflected Robertson, the 2010 Crucible winner.
“Reaching the final is significant in terms of ranking points, ensuring my participation in major events later in the season and simplifying my scheduling.
“I perhaps took that for granted when I was consistently in the top four. The current standard is such that you have to maintain your focus constantly. It’s been a lot of hard work to achieve these results.”