Only one snooker player has ever scored higher than a 147 break and it didn't count as a 'maximum'

Only one snooker player has ever scored higher than a 147 in competition – and it remains the highest break in the history of professional snooker.

Back in October 2004, Glasgow-born Jamie Burnett became the first and only player to score a break in excess of 147 in tournament play.

A break of more than 147 occurs when the player receives a free ball at the start of the frame, and only a handful of players have ever achieved the feat.

Burnett, who was ranked 49th in the world, scored 148 against Leo Fernandez during the second qualifying round of the UK Championship.

As we all know, a maximum break is made up of 15 reds, 15 blacks and then each colour – yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black.

But in the 14th frame of the UK Championship qualifier between Burnett and Fernandez, the latter committed a foul, which handed Burnett a free ball.

Burnett nominated brown as his extra red, potted the brown again as his colour and added all the reds with 12 blacks, two pinks and one blue.

Then, in a wonderful act of showmanship, Burnett cleared all of the remaining colours following several pots from distance to record an impressive 148-break.

Burnett went on to secure a nervy 9-8 win over Fernandez to seal his place in the next round.

In his post-match interview, the Glasgow-born player opened up achieving the record-breaking feat in Prestatyn.

"I didn't even realise I was on it until I'd got over 100 and saw that a 148 was on," he said. "I didn't really know how to react afterwards. At first I thought it was no big deal, but then I realised I'd made history.

"I went out of the arena to compose myself because I still had to win the match. But I didn't play well afterwards and didn't really deserve to win."

Burnett Burnett holds the record for the highest ever break in professional snooker. Image credit: Getty

He added: "I'm just glad I got through in the end because it wouldn't have meant as much if I'd been beaten."

Marco Fu also recorded a 148-break in 2020, when he was playing in a practice match against Hong Kong teammate Chau Hon-man.

Burnett, however, remains the only person to break in excess of 147 in tournament play.