Michael Holt made the first maximum break of his 30-year professional career during his China Open qualifying match against Mark Joyce on Thursday night.

Holt’s perfect break came in the third frame and put him 3-0 ahead. It’s the first 147 of the 2026/27 season, following a record 24 maximums in 2025/26.

Former Shoot Out champion Holt made a sensational start to the match as runs of 54, 84, 147 and 71 left him 4-0 ahead. The maximum puts him in line for the tournament’s £15,000 high break prize.

It’s the 242nd 147 break in snooker history.