Ronnie O'Sullivan was puzzled when someone gave him 6 minutes to clear the table!!! Ronnie O'Sullivan: "Go back and look at 1997, kids".cute

Ronnie O'Sullivan, widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, has been a trailblazer in the sport since the early days of his career. His incredible talent and unorthodox playing style have captivated audiences around the world, and his records and achievements speak for themselves.

One of O'Sullivan's most famous feats came at the 1997 World Championship, where he achieved the fastest 147 break in the history of snooker.

In a match against Mick Price, O'Sullivan astounded fans and experts alike by clearing the table in just 5 minutes and 8 seconds, a record that still stands to this day.

The remarkable speed and precision with which O'Sullivan completed the maximum break left a lasting impression on the snooker world. His performance was a testament to his exceptional skill and unrivaled ability to control the cue ball with unparalleled finesse.

However, the official timing of O'Sullivan's historic 147 break has been a subject of debate and scrutiny over the years.

Guinness World Records initially recorded the time of the break at 5 minutes and 20 seconds, based on the available footage from the event. 

Nevertheless, an investigation conducted by Deadspin in 2017 revealed that the timing recorded by Guinness was inaccurate due to the timer being started too early on the BBC footage.

The lack of standardized timing protocols in snooker has contributed to the discrepancy in recording O'Sullivan's record-breaking achievement.

Unlike other sports where timing is meticulously regulated, snooker lacks specific guidelines for timing maximum breaks, leaving it to the discretion of broadcasters and organizers.

World Snooker, the governing body for professional snooker events, has attempted to address the issue by introducing timing methodologies for shot clock events.

In these events, the timing for a player's shot begins when the balls have come to rest from their opponent's previous shot. However, this method does not directly apply to the timing of maximum breaks, leading to further ambiguity.

In light of these challenges, World Snooker has proposed a new timing convention for maximum breaks, suggesting that a break should start when the player strikes the cue ball for the first time.

Under this revised methodology, O'Sullivan's historic 147 break would be officially acknowledged as taking 5 minutes and 8 seconds, aligning with his original achievement at the 1997 World Championship.

Despite the controversies surrounding the official timing of his record-breaking performance, there is no denying the sheer brilliance and artistry displayed by Ronnie O'Sullivan on that historic day.

His unparalleled mastery of the snooker table continues to inspire generations of players and fans, cementing his legacy as a true icon of the sport.

As snooker evolves and adapts to new standards and regulations, O'Sullivan's remarkable 147 break stands as a timeless reminder of his extraordinary talent and unwavering impact on the game.

Whether it's 5 minutes and 8 seconds or any other recorded time, one thing remains indisputable – Ronnie O'Sullivan's legacy in snooker is etched in history, and his influence will endure for generations to come.