In an extraordinary display of skill and prowess, Welsh snooker player Jackson Page made history by achieving an unprecedented feat: he became the first competitor to record two maximum 147 breaks in a single match. This remarkable achievement took place during the World Championship qualification rounds held in Sheffield, where Page faced off against fellow snooker professional Allan Taylor on a Monday that will surely be etched in the annals of snooker history.
Page’s journey towards this landmark victory saw him decisively defeat Taylor with a score of 10-2, paving the way for him to advance to the fourth round, where he will encounter Joe O’Connor. The significance of this match extends beyond the numbers on the scoreboard; it marks Page’s first and second maximum breaks of his budding career, underscoring the magnitude of this accomplishment at just 23 years of age.
The match commenced with Page quickly establishing a commanding lead, racing to a 5-1 advantage on the previous Sunday. His early performance was notable for its precision, highlighted by two clearances scoring over 50 and an impressive 109 break in the first six frames of the match, showcasing his potential and skill. As the match progressed, Page maintained this momentum, winning the seventh frame before realizing his maiden 147 break in the eighth frame. This remarkable feat involved potting all 15 reds—each followed by a black ball—culminating in him successfully potting all six colored balls, which is a hallmark of snooker excellence.
Following this historic break, Page was not only on track for victory but also in line to earn the £10,000 bonus for a maximum break awarded during qualifying rounds of the World Championship, along with an additional £15,000 for achieving the highest break in the tournament. This financial incentive underscores just how pivotal these milestones can be for professional players.
Page continued his stellar play with a further break of 94, enabling him to win the next frame and extend his lead to 8-1 going into Monday’s session. Although Taylor managed to claim the 10th frame, reducing his deficit to 8-2, Page’s fortitude shined through as he proceeded to win the final two frames of the contest. In a spectacular finish, it was also within the concluding frames that he achieved the historic second maximum 147 break, solidifying his victory in an unforgettable manner.
This achievement holds profound significance not only for Page personally but for the sport as well, as he has become the first player in snooker history to record two 147 breaks in a single match. As a result, he was rewarded with the prestigious £147,000 Triple Crown bonus, which is granted to any player who makes two maximum breaks at the Triple Crown events, namely the World Championship, the Masters, and the UK Championship.
While Jackson Page’s historic accomplishment is a pivotal moment in snooker, it also leads to reflections on the all-time leaders in maximum breaks. According to the World Snooker Tour (WST), the player with the most recorded 147s in the history of the sport is none other than Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time World Championship winner, who possesses an impressive tally of 15 maximum breaks. Following closely behind him is John Higgins with 13, while Stephen Hendry rounds out the top three with 11. Other notable players in this elite category include Shaun Murphy (10), Stuart Bingham (9), Judd Trump (8), Ding Junhui (7), Mark Selby (6), and both Tom Ford and Neil Robertson, each with 5 maximum breaks.
Snooker enthusiasts can watch and stream top action from this captivating sport, including the World Championship, live and on demand on platforms like TNT Sports and discovery+, ensuring that fans remain connected with the thrilling moments that define the game.
