A Rocket Resurgent: Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Historic Double 147 in Jeddah
In a display of sheer snooker wizardry, Ronnie O’Sullivan—affectionately known as “The Rocket”—rekindled his legacy in spectacular fashion at the 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in Jeddah. On August 15, during the tournament’s high-stakes semi-final, the 49-year-old veteran astounded both fans and pundits by delivering not one but two official 147 maximum breaks in a single match—a feat both rare and breathtaking .
A Glorious Return to Maximums
This remarkable performance marked O’Sullivan’s 16th and 17th professional maximums, ending a nearly seven-year drought since his last 147 at the 2018 English Open . Making his first 147 in the very opening frame and then again at a critical juncture when the match stood poised at 3-3, his composure under pressure was nothing short of mesmerising .
The second 147, arriving about an hour after the first, pushed his career total to 17 official maximum breaks, further cementing his place as the most prolific 147-maker in snooker history .
Joining an Elusive Club
This is only the second time in professional snooker that a player has hit two maximums in a single match. The only earlier instance was achieved by Jackson Page during World Championship qualifiers earlier in 2025 .
Age Is Just a Number
At 49 years and 253 days, O’Sullivan set a new benchmark as the oldest player ever to complete an official 147 break. In doing so, he simultaneously broke convention by reminding everyone that brilliance in sport transcends age .
A Reward Worth More Than the Glory
With his two 147s, O’Sullivan pocketed a £147,000 bonus—an incentive offered for making two maximum breaks in one of the four major ranking events in the 2025–26 season . That payday, combined with his earnings from reaching the final, gave him at least £200,000, with an additional £500,000 on offer for winning the tournament .
A Bragging Right and a Remarkable Comeback
O’Sullivan himself described the match as the “maddest game” he’d ever played, referencing earlier matches including one against Stephen Hendry that wasn’t even televised . Using a brand-new cue—a replacement for the one he destroyed earlier this year in frustration—added an extra layer of poetic redemption to his Jeddah resurgence .
Commentator David Hendon captured the moment succinctly:
“This is flair, this is aura, this is genius.”
With his semi-final win secured by a solid 6–3 performance, O’Sullivan was poised to face Neil Robertson in the tournament final .
Why This Moment Matters
- A Stunning Return: After a 2018–2025 lull in 147s, O’Sullivan’s double 147s in one match served as a thunderous reminder of his undiminished prowess.
- Historical Significance: Becoming only the second pro to achieve double maximums in a match, and doing so at almost fifty, is a rare and historic moment.
- Big Bucks and Bigger Legacy: The significant prize money—paired with his unrivaled record—cements this as one of the most financially and historically compelling performances in modern snooker.
In Summary
In the heart of Jeddah, at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, Ronnie O’Sullivan didn’t just play a semi-final—he rewrote snooker lore. With two perfect 147 breaks, he rekindled a flame many feared had dimmed. He became the oldest maximum-break artist, claimed a lucrative bonus, and sent a message: even nearing his 50s, “The Rocket” still has rockets in his locker.
