Ronnie O'Sullivan narrowly misses out on record-extending maximum break in opening World Open win

Seven-time world champion O'Sullivan was making his first appearance on the World Snooker Tour in over five weeks when he faced world number 109 Muir in the opening round of the £825,000 world ranking event.

O'Sullivan settled into the match as a break of 50 helped him take the first frame before registering runs of 83 and 69 in doubling, and tripling his advantage.

Scotsman Muir - who has a maximum break in professional competition to his name - got on the scoreboard just before the mid-session interval, though, clearing from green to black to reduce his arrears and keep in touch. However, on resumption, the underdog barely got a look in.

In frame five, O'Sullivan looked to be on course for a record-extending 18th maximum 147 break of his illustrious career as he sank 15 reds with 15 blacks. But the 50-year-old - who would have eclipsed his own benchmark of being the oldest player to complete green baize perfection on the sport's top flight - cannoned into the pink and went in-off in the yellow pocket after cutting in a very thin 15th black.

Earlier this season, O'Sullivan memorably made two 147s during the same match in his semi-final tie with Chris Wakelin at the Saudi Arabia Masters - the first cueist to have hit multiple maximums within the same session of top tier snooker. That feat earned the Englishman a £147,000 bonus; today he missed out on a potential £5,000 pot.

If the way his 147 attempt abruptly ended annoyed him, it didn't show, as O'Sullivan recorded back-to-back centuries to finish off the tie as he crafted a 114 in frame six to secure the victory.

Due to India's Ishpreet Singh Chadha withdrawing from the competition before the main venue, televised stages in the Far East - despite having won a qualifying match held in Barnsley several weeks ago - it means that 'The Rocket' receives a bye in the last 64. O'Sullivan's next outing is set to be against Matthew Selt on Wednesday at the Yushan Sports Centre.

O'Sullivan - who has won an unprecedented 41 ranking event crowns - is without a title of any description on the professional snooker circuit in over two years now.

His last ranking event triumph in China came back in 2017 at the Shanghai Masters before that tournament changed to being an invitational affair.

During his last four tournament outings on the circuit, O'Sullivan had won just two matches, but having made the final of the aforementioned Saudi Arabia Masters last August - which saw him collect £200,000 in prize money and ranking points - he remains inside the world's elite top 16 bracket.

The Englishman is also in a qualifying position for the 12-player Tour Championship that begins in Manchester later this month, although his participation in that Players Series event is unknown.

However, O'Sullivan has been insistent that he will take part in this year's World Championship in Sheffield, as he seeks to win a record eighth Crucible title; he is currently tied on seven victories alongside Stephen Hendry.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Open, visit here.