Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump speak out on 147 bonanza with record set to be smashed

The 12th and 13th 147 breaks of the season were made on Tuesday as the epidemic of maximums continues on the World Snooker Tour.

At the Xi’an Grand Prix in China, Judd Trump knocked in a 147 in his opening round win over Ng On Yee, with Aaron Hill doing the same later in the day in his victory over Huang Jiahao, the Irishman’s second of the campaign.

It has been raining maximums so far this season, starting with Fan Zhengyi in the Championship League in July.

Zhang Anda, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (twice), Ronnie O’Sullivan (twice in one match), Xiao Guodong, Zhou Yuelong, Ali Carter and Gary Wilson have followed with 147s.

The most 147s ever made in an entire season is 15, set over the last campaign, so that record looks set to be annihilated this time round.

Trump feels it is just down to the standard in play rising throughout the tour, while regular 147s are inspiring others to have a crack at them rather than just trying to win the frame.

‘It’s been a while. A lot of other people have been making 147s and making it look easy. So I feel it was about time I made one,’ Trump told WST after making his first max in nearly three years. ‘It was special to make one in China, the atmosphere was very good out there, good crowd out there.

‘I don’t feel like the pockets are that much bigger or anything is any different. I feel like the tables have been playing quite tough this season and quite heavy.

‘It’s a little bit surprising everyone has been making them. I think the standard of play has just improved. Everybody seems to want to make maximums now.’

He added: ‘I think it’s the new normal, players are more relaxed. I think the mentality’s different. Players are less inclined to pick the balls off and win the frame. From the first ball you’re just going for a 147.

‘The more you keep seeing people do it, the more you feel a bit left out and go for it yourself.’

Tuesday in Xi’an was Trump’s ninth maximum in professional competition and with 30 ranking titles to his name, he rates 147s over trophies.

‘The feeling you get as a snooker player, it’s nice to win events but making a 147 is probably more special than anything,’ said the world number one. ‘I think they’re more special than tournament wins, I’ve had a lot more tournament wins than I’ve had maximums.’

O’Sullivan memorably made two 147s in the same match as he beat Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in August.

They were the Rocket’s first maximums since 2018 and he says he was simply motivated by the enormous £147,000 on offer for two 147s across the ‘four majors’ this season, with another £50,000 bonus on top of that for a max in the Saudi event, which he shared with Un-Nooh.

‘The reason why I got mine was because there was maybe £180,000 up for grabs,’ said O’Sullivan after beating Iulian Boiko in Xi’an. ‘The prize was good, it sharpened my mind.

‘I’m not sure what the prize fund is for this tournament, but usually it’s quite low compared to that so obviously I won’t take the risk unless I think it’s worth it.’

On why there have been so many of late, he said: ”I just think the standard is very, very high, many, many players can make big breaks these days.’

Hill made his first professional 147 in September and has added his second less than a month later, but like Trump, dismissed suggestions it is down to easier conditions.

‘Nothing’s changed, it’s just the standard of players is so good these days,’ said the Irishman. ‘People are saying the pockets are bigger and all that but it’s nonsense, the players are just so good.

‘Long may it last, it’s great to see.’