Ronnie O'Sullivan compiled a maximum 147 break at the World Open in Glasgow on Wednesday, but only after referee Jan Verhaas persuaded him to pot the final black. The world No6 had initially intended to leave the table after reaching 134, shaking hands with opponent Mark King.
O'Sullivan, who was told there was no specific prize for a 147 beyond the £4,000 highest-break award, said: 'I wasn't going to pot the black because to make 147 and not really get a nice bonus was a bit disappointing. But the ref played a guilt trip on me and said: "Come on, do it for your fans." So I thought, OK, because I haven't got long to play anyway, I might as well go out on a high.'
The 34-year-old's 10th competitive maximum took him clear of Stephen Hendry, with whom he had previously shared the record. It was the 73rd 147 in snooker history, 39 of which have been televised.
World Snooker has abolished bonuses for maximum breaks this season except at the World Championship, citing prohibitive insurance costs. O'Sullivan quipped that £25,000 would have been 'nice so I could have gone on holiday'.
The victory sets up a fourth-round clash with his boyhood hero Jimmy White on Thursday.
