Just when you think Ronnie O'Sullivan has done everything, he finds something new. On 20 March 2026 at the World Open in China he made a 153 break, the highest in professional snooker history, and in May he won the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible. Now 50, he is still entertaining crowds and still rewriting the record books.
From teenage prodigy to the most successful player of the modern era, here is the story of The Rocket. Browse the snooker collection as you read.
Ronnie O'Sullivan Fact File
| Full name | Ronald Antonio O'Sullivan |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 5 December 1975 (age 50) |
| Place of birth | Wordsley, West Midlands, England |
| Event | Snooker (professional since 1992) |
| Nationality | English |
| Current status | Active professional |
| Nickname | The Rocket |
Career History
| Years | Key titles |
|---|---|
| 1992-1993 | Turned pro; UK Championship 1993, aged 17 |
| 1995-2001 | Masters 1995; UK 1997; first world title 2001 |
| 2004-2009 | World 2004, 2008; Masters 2005, 2007, 2009; UK 2007 |
| 2012-2014 | World 2012, 2013; Masters 2014; UK 2014 |
| 2016-2020 | Masters 2016, 2017; UK 2017, 2018; World 2020 |
| 2022-2024 | World 2022; UK 2023; Masters 2024 |
| 2025-2026 | Two 147s in one match (2025); record 153 break; World Seniors 2026 |
Key titles shown are Triple Crown events (World, Masters, UK) plus recent milestones. In total he has 23 Triple Crown titles and a record 41 ranking titles.
Early Years: A Prodigy From the Midlands
O'Sullivan was a remarkable junior and turned professional in 1992, aged 16. A year later he beat Stephen Hendry in the final of the 1993 UK Championship to become, at 17, the youngest winner of a ranking event. In 1997 he made a maximum 147 at the Crucible in five minutes and eight seconds, still the fastest ever.
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The Breakthrough: World Champion
After winning the Masters in 1995 and another UK title in 1997, O'Sullivan won his first World Championship in 2001. Further world titles followed in 2004 and 2008, and his fluent, attacking style, including playing with either hand, brought a new audience to the game.
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The Peak: Seven World Titles
O'Sullivan won back-to-back world titles in 2012 and 2013, then added a sixth in 2020 and a seventh in 2022, equalling Stephen Hendry's modern-era record. Aged 46, he also became the oldest world champion. His eighth Masters in 2024 took his Triple Crown total to 23.
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Still Breaking Records
At the 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters he made two maximums in the same match, becoming the oldest player to make an official 147. Then came the 153 in 2026, made possible by a free ball at the start of the break. He now holds records for most official maximums (17) and most century breaks (more than 1,300).
Honours
Triple Crown (23)
- World Championship: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2022
- Masters: 1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2024
- UK Championship: 1993, 1997, 2001, 2007, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2023
Records
- 41 ranking titles
- 17 official maximum breaks
- Most century breaks
- Highest professional break: 153 (2026)
Other
- World Seniors Champion: 2026
Away From the Game
O'Sullivan has written two autobiographies and a series of crime novels with Emlyn Rees. He has worked as a pundit and ambassador for Eurosport since 2014.
FAQs
How old is Ronnie O'Sullivan?
Ronnie O'Sullivan is 50. He was born on 5 December 1975.
Where was Ronnie O'Sullivan born?
He was born in Wordsley, in the West Midlands of England.
How many world titles has Ronnie O'Sullivan won?
He has won seven World Championships: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's fastest 147?
His fastest maximum took five minutes and eight seconds at the 1997 World Championship, still the fastest in history.
How many 147s has Ronnie O'Sullivan made?
He has made 17 official maximum breaks, more than any other player.
What was Ronnie O'Sullivan's 153 break?
At the 2026 World Open he made a break of 153 after a free ball, the highest break ever made in professional snooker.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: George Best: The Fifth Beatle and Football's First Superstar and Paul Gascoigne: Gazza, Italia 90 and the Most Gifted Englishman of His Era.
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