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Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy
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Shaun Peter Murphy (born 10 August 1982) is an English professional snooker player who won the 2005 World Championship and has completed the Triple Crown. Nicknamed "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight cue action and his long potting.

Key Information

Born in Harlow, Essex, and raised in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, Murphy turned professional in 1998. His 2005 victory at the World Championship was considered a major surprise as he was only the third qualifier to win the title after Alex Higgins and Terry Griffiths. Since then, he has been runner-up at the World Championship three times, in 2009, 2015 and 2021. He has earned twelve ranking titles, including the UK Championship in 2009, which places him tenth on the all-time list of ranking tournament victories. He has also won twelve non-ranking tournaments, including the 2015 Masters (which completed his career Triple Crown) and the 2025 Masters.

Murphy has earned over £4 million in prize money and has compiled more than 700 century breaks, including ten maximum breaks. His highest world ranking was number three, which he maintained for three seasons following the 2007–08 season.

Early life

[edit]

Shaun Peter Murphy was born on 10 August 1982 in Harlow, England.[2] Murphy began playing snooker at the age of eight after his parents bought him a snooker table for Christmas.[3] He made his first century break at the age of 10[4] and practised at the Rushden Snooker Centre, where players such as Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty have also played.[5] At the age of 13, he secured a five-year £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with the Doc Martens shoe company[4][6] and stated his ambitions of winning the World Championship and becoming world number one.[7] He turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15.[8]

Murphy was coached by Steve Prest until the 2006–07 season.[9] He also received guidance from Willie Thorne[9] and Ray Reardon,[10] and when he was 15 he was given Reardon's old cue by his father.[11]

Snooker career

[edit]

1998–2001

[edit]

Murphy began his career on the UK Tour in 1998 (renamed the Challenge Tour in 2000), at the time the second-level professional tour.[12] He was runner-up in the fourth event on the UK tour for the 1997–98 season and, for the 2000–01 season, won the third and fourth events on the Challenge Tour, topping the Order of Merit rankings.[13]

In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award[8] and one of six Young Player of Distinction of the Year awards from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.[14] In 2000, he won the English Open Championship.[6]

Murphy won his first professional tournament at the 2000 Benson & Hedges Championship, defeating Mark Davis 6–1 in the semi-final,[15] and Stuart Bingham 9–7 in the final, recovering from 2–5 down.[16] Although he was not yet on the first-level main tour, this victory brought qualification for the Masters[16]—a prestigious non-ranking invitation tournament with places for members of the top 16, the winner of the qualifying tournament and a limited number of wildcards. In the 2001 tournament, he showed promise in his first televised match, defeating world number 15, Marco Fu,[6] and building a 4–1 lead over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, before losing the match.[17] He made his first maximum break in the 2001 Benson & Hedges Championship.[18]

2002–2004

[edit]

Murphy first reached the final stages of a ranking event at the 2002 World Championship, hosted at the Crucible Theatre, where he lost 4–10 to Stephen Hendry in the first round.[19] In the 2002–03 season, he reached the final stages of the Scottish Open, where he was defeated 3–5 by Drew Henry in the first round,[20] and the World Championship, where he lost 9–10 against Ken Doherty on the final black in the first round.[21]

For the 2003–04 season, Murphy was ranked number 64[22] and qualified for the final stages of three ranking tournaments. In the LG Cup, he defeated Steve Davis 5–4 in the second round,[23] before losing 2–5 to John Higgins in the third.[24] After the victory over Davis, Murphy said "This is one of the greatest days in my snooker career."[23] In the British Open, he defeated Dave Harold 5–1 in the first round,[25] before losing to Paul Hunter 2–5 in the second round.[26]

In the Players Championship—the new name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual champion Jimmy White in the second round.[27] He failed to reach the World Championship, losing a qualifying match 7–10 against Stuart Pettman, in which Pettman was docked a frame for arriving late.[28]

2004–05 season: World Champion

[edit]

Murphy was ranked number 48 for the 2004–05 season[29] and reached the final stages of four ranking events. In the Grand Prix—the new name of the LG Cup—he lost 2–5 to Stephen Maguire in the first round.[30] This was followed by his first ranking semi-final, at the British Open, where he was whitewashed 0–6 by John Higgins.[31][32] In the Malta Cup, he lost 2–5 to Matthew Stevens in the first round.[33]

Murphy won two qualifying matches to reach the main stage of the 2005 World Championship and then defeated former world champions Higgins 13–8, Steve Davis 13–4 and Peter Ebdon 17–12 to reach the final where he faced Stevens, the world number six.[29][34] After trailing 6–10 at the end of the first day (the World Championship final is played over two days),[35] he made a comeback to level the score at 16–16. He then made two frame-winning breaks to lift the title.[36] His 11 century breaks were the most in that year's tournament.[37]

Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. His pre-tournament odds were 150–1 and before his win he was considered an underachiever.[38] He became only the third qualifier to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) after Alex Higgins in 1972 and Terry Griffiths in 1979. Aged 22, Murphy was the second-youngest player to win the World Championship, following Stephen Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21.[32] No previous world champion had played as many matches (seven) to lift the title,[39] and he was the lowest-ranked player, at number 48, to win the tournament.[40] No player had won the World Championship as his first ranking event win since Joe Johnson in 1986.[32] Murphy's run in the tournament earned him the nickname "The Magician" and the tournament doubled his previous career prize money, with which he purchased a house and a Mercedes-Benz.[11] After his win, in July 2005, he married his fiancée Clare.[41]

2005–06 season

[edit]

For the new season, Murphy improved his ranking to number 21,[42] which would not usually guarantee qualification for ranking events. However, as world champion he qualified automatically for every tournament in the season as the number two seed (and number one seed for the 2006 World Championship).[43] He was invited to play in the Premier League Snooker, a non-ranking tournament with a 25-a-second shot clock, but he went out in the round-robin stage.[44]

He reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural, non-ranking Northern Ireland Trophy before being defeated 4–5 by Neil Robertson.[45] In the first three ranking events of the season—the Grand Prix, the UK Championship and the Malta Cup—Murphy reached the last 16, losing final-frame matches to Stuart Bingham,[46] Robertson,[47] and Graeme Dott,[48] respectively. After his loss to Bingham, he complained about having to play his match on an outside table, given his world champion status.[46] In the revival of Pot Black, a single-frame knockout tournament not staged since 1991,[49] he was defeated in the final by Matthew Stevens.[50] Murphy was awarded Sportsman of the Year at the BBC East Midlands Sports Awards in December 2005.[51]

At the Masters, Murphy lost 4–6 to John Higgins in the quarter-finals,[52] but reached his second ranking final in the Welsh Open, losing 4–9 to Stephen Lee.[53] In the World Championship, he reached the quarter-finals, but fell victim to the so-called "Crucible curse", where no first-time champion has successfully defended the title at the Crucible Theatre,[54] when he was defeated 7–13 by Peter Ebdon.[55]

2006–07 season

[edit]

For the next season, Murphy moved to number five in the world rankings,[56] entering the elite top 16 for the first time and thereby automatically qualifying for the final stages of ranking tournaments and receiving an automatic invitation to the Masters.

In the Northern Ireland Trophy (a ranking event in this season), he lost 4–5 to Stephen Lee in the quarter-finals,[57] and in the UK Championship, he lost 3–9 to Alan McManus in the second round.[58] A 3–6 defeat by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals of the Masters[59] was followed by his second ranking title, when he defeated Ryan Day 9–4 in the final of the Malta Cup.[60] After the victory, he said it was a relief to get rid of the one-hit wonder label.[61] In his next match, a victory over Jamie Cope in the Welsh Open, he scored centuries in four consecutive frames, becoming only the second player to do so (after John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final) and the only person to achieve this in a best-of-nine-frames match.[62] He went on to lose 3–5 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals.[63] In the World Championship, Murphy defeated Matthew Stevens 13–12 in the quarter-finals—recovering from 5–11 down and knocking Stevens out of the top 16[64][65]—before losing 16–17 against Mark Selby in the semi-finals.[66]

2007–08 season

[edit]

For the 2007–08 season, Murphy was ranked number three, his highest-ever ranking,[67] and reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events but without winning any.

In the inaugural Shanghai Masters, he was defeated 2–5 by Ian McCulloch in the first round.[68] He reached the final of the 2007 Pot Black tournament, where he was defeated by Ken Doherty.[69] In the Grand Prix, he reached the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan, despite an earlier 5–2 lead.[70][71] Further semi-finals followed at the Northern Ireland Trophy and the UK Championship, where he was defeated on both occasions by Stephen Maguire, 5–6[72] and 5–9,[73] respectively, making it three consecutive semi-final losses. Before the UK Championship, Murphy was provisionally ranked world number one.[40][74] He successfully defended his Malta Cup title (that year the tournament was not a ranking event) with a 9–3 victory over Doherty in the final.[75] In the China Open, he defeated Mark Selby 6–3 in the semi-finals[76]—his sixth semi-final appearance in the past seven ranking events[77]—but lost 9–10 to Maguire in the final.[78]

Before the World Championship, Murphy was again provisional world number one.[79] As one of the favourites for the championship, he reached the second round where he lost 4–13 to Ali Carter.[77][80] After his loss, Murphy criticised the state of the tables.[77]

2008–09 season: UK Champion

[edit]
Murphy speaking with Mark Selby before the final of the 2008 Paul Hunter Classic

Murphy maintained his number three ranking for the 2008–09 season.[81] He won the non-ranking Paul Hunter Classic, defeating Mark Selby 4–0 in the final,[82] but lost in the first round of the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 defeat by world number 47 Mike Dunn in the Bahrain Championship.[83] Murphy and his wife separated in October, after three years of marriage.[84]

Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed to the split from his wife[85]—he claimed his third ranking title at the UK Championship, defeating Marco Fu 10–9 in a low-quality final, in which he fluked a pink in the deciding frame that was effectively match ball.[86][87] The victory meant that Murphy joined Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, John Parrott, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins and Peter Ebdon as one of only ten players to have won both the World title and the UK title.

In the World Championship, there were concerns that Murphy's estranged wife would serve him divorce papers during play of his first-round match against Andrew Higginson. He defeated Higginson 10–8 without incident, although his wife's parents were present in the arena and were asked to leave.[88][89] He went on to defeat Fu 13–3, Hendry 13–11 and Neil Robertson 17–14, to earn a place in his second world final with two-time world champion Higgins as his opponent.[90] In the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day and was beaten 9–18 by Higgins.[91] On the first day of the final, a newspaper published a "kiss and tell" story involving Murphy.[92]

2009–10 season

[edit]
Murphy at the 2009 Paul Hunter Classic

Murphy maintained his number three ranking for a third year in the 2009–10 season.[93] He successfully defended his Paul Hunter Classic title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.[94] He won the Premier League Snooker with a 7–3 win against O'Sullivan in the final, ending the latter's run of five consecutive wins in the tournament.[95]

He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the Shanghai Masters, before losing 5–6 against Liang Wenbo.[96] This would be his only run to the semi-finals or better in a ranking tournament that season. In the UK Championship, as the defending champion, he lost 5–9 to eventual winner Ding Junhui in the second round.[97] After the match, Murphy complained about Ding leaving the arena too often after frames, saying "I can't believe anyone needs to go to the toilet after every single frame."[98] He reached the quarter-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 against Mark Williams.[99] In the Welsh Open and the China Open, he lost his first-round matches to Matthew Stevens[100] and Nigel Bond,[101] respectively. In the World Championship, he defeated Gerard Greene and Ding, but lost 12–13 against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals, despite leading 8–4.[102][103] This was the first season in which he did not reach a final or better of a ranking tournament since the 2003–04 season.

2010–11 season

[edit]

After three seasons ranked world number three, Murphy dropped to number seven for the 2010–11 season.[104] He won the Wuxi Classic, a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding Junhui 9–8 after recovering from 2–8 down.[105] He progressed to the semi-finals of the Paul Hunter Classic, the first European event of the season's Players Tour Championship minor-ranking series, but lost 2–4 to eventual winner Judd Trump.[106] Murphy won the Brugge Open, the second European event of the series, defeating Matthew Couch 4–2 in the final.[107] He then reached the final of the Ruhr Championship, but lost 2–4 against John Higgins.[108] Murphy finished first on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit,[109] but could not defend his Premier League Snooker title, as he lost 1–7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.[110] He reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship, where he lost to eventual runner-up Mark Williams 8–9.[111]

Murphy lost in the first round of the Masters 3–6 against Jamie Cope,[112] in the second round of the German Masters 2–5 against Joe Swail,[113] and in the first round of the Welsh Open 0–4 against Matthew Stevens.[114] He won his fourth ranking title in March 2011,[115] with a 4–0 victory over Martin Gould in the finals of the Players Tour Championship.[116] The following week, he also reached the final of the Championship League, but lost 1–3 against Stevens.[117] He progressed to the semi-final of the China Open, where he lost 1–6 against Trump.[118] Murphy's last tournament of the season was the World Championship, where he lost in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.[119]

2011–12 season

[edit]

Murphy began the 2011–12 season ranked number seven.[120] He could not defend his Wuxi Classic title, as he lost 3–6 against Ali Carter.[121] Murphy reached the semi-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 2–6 against eventual champion Stuart Bingham.[122] At the Shanghai Masters Murphy reached the quarter-finals, but lost 4–5 against Mark Selby.[123] Murphy's next tournament was the Brazil Masters, where he defeated Graeme Dott 5–0 in the final.[124] Murphy also participated at the Premier League and ended the league stage with two wins and four losses. As a result, he did not advance to the play-off.[125] Murphy then reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, but lost 3–6 against Ricky Walden.[126] He also participated at the Players Tour Championship, where his best results came at the Warsaw Classic and the Kay Suzanne Memorial Trophy, where he reached the quarter-finals, but lost 3–4 against Neil Robertson and 2–4 against Matthew Stevens respectively.[127] He finished number 37 on the Order of Merit,[128][129] and could not qualify to the Finals to defend his title.[130]

Murphy reached his first Masters final,[131] but lost 6–10 against Robertson.[132] Murphy then reached the semi-finals of the next two ranking tournaments, but lost 0–6 against Stephen Maguire at the German Masters,[133] 2–6 against Ding Junhui at the Welsh Open.[134] He then lost in the quarter-finals of the World Open 0–5 against Mark Selby.[135] Murphy ended the season with two first round losses. He lost 2–5 against wild-card Lu Ning at the China Open and 8–10 against Jamie Jones at the World Snooker Championship.[136][137]

2012–13 season

[edit]
Murphy at the 2012 Paul Hunter Classic
Murphy at the 2013 German Masters

Murphy began the 2012–13 season ranked number six.[138] The first tournament for Murphy was the Wuxi Classic, where he lost in the first round 1–5 against Ken Doherty.[139] Murphy's next tournament was the Six-red World Championship, where he finished first in Group E with four wins out of five matches and advanced to the knock-out stage.[140] There he defeated James Wattana, Barry Hawkins, Dominic Dale and Judd Trump to reach the final, but lost 4–8 against Mark Davis.[141][142] He then reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 4–5 against Peter Ebdon.[143] Murphy went one better in the next two ranking tournaments, as he reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters and the International Championship, but lost 3–6 against John Higgins and 5–9 against Neil Robertson respectively.[144][145] Murphy than reached the final of the 2012 UK Championship courtesy of two tight victories. The first against teenager Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals, after Brecel twice had the chance to pot the final pink and black to win the match,[146] then against Ali Carter in which Murphy recovered from 4–8 down and 0–32 in points behind in the deciding frame to win 9–8.[147] He was ultimately defeated by good friend Mark Selby 6–10 in the final.[148] He also participated at the Players Tour Championship, with his best result coming at the third English event, where he reached the semi-finals, but lost 0–4 against Marco Fu.[149] He finished number 29 on the Order of Merit,[150][151] and couldn't qualify to the Finals.[152]

Murphy began the year by reaching the semi-finals at the Masters, but lost 2–6 against Robertson.[153] He then reached the quarter-final of the German Masters, but lost 4–5 against Robertson.[154] In the first round of the 2013 World Snooker Championship, Murphy defeated Martin Gould 10–5 to advance to the second round, where he faced Graeme Dott, winning 13–11. In the quarter-final, he faced Trump in a tense match that went to a deciding frame, after Trump won five consecutive frames from 7–12 down to level at 12–12. Trump ultimately prevailed in a nervy last frame to go through to the semi-final.[155]

2013–14 season

[edit]
Murphy at the 2014 German Masters

Murphy's 2013–14 season began with a shock 1–5 defeat by Alex Davies in the qualifying round of the 2013 Wuxi Classic.[156] The tournament was the first to use a new format that required top-16 players to compete in qualifiers.[157]

Between August 2013 and January 2014, Murphy lost 3 stones (42 pounds or 19 kg) in weight, due to a new diet and fitness regime. He stated that one of his health and fitness goals was to improve his stamina and concentration at the table.[158][159]

In group two of the 2014 Championship League, he made his second official maximum break in his round-robin match against Mark Davis.[160]

In the first round of the Masters, Murphy came back from 2–4 behind to defeat Ding Junhui 6–4.[161] He produced another comeback in the quarter-finals, where he trailed Marco Fu 1–4 before winning five frames in a row to clinch a 6–4 victory.[162] He faced defending champion Mark Selby in the semi-finals, but lost 1–6.[163]

In February 2014, while playing Jamie Jones in the last 16 of the minor-ranking Gdynia Open, Murphy made his second 147 break of the season and the third of his professional career.[164] He went on to win the tournament, defeating Fergal O'Brien 4–1 in the final to capture his first title in 29 months.[165][166] The following month, he defeated Selby 10–6 in the final of the World Open, winning the fifth ranking title of his career and his first ranking title in three years.[167]

At the World Championship, Murphy defeated Jamie Cope 10–9 and Marco Fu 13–8 to reach the quarter-finals,[168] where he faced defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. Murphy was defeated 3–13 with a session to spare.[169]

2014–15 season: Masters Champion

[edit]
Murphy at the 2015 German Masters

Murphy won the Bulgarian Open in October, with a 4–2 victory over Martin Gould in the final.[170] Two weeks later, he reached the final of the General Cup but lost 6–7 against Ali Carter.[171] In November, he won the Ruhr Open by defeating Robert Milkins 4–0 in the final. In the second frame of this match, he achieved the fourth maximum break of his career after missing out on the maximum on two previous occasions earlier that day—in a match against Joe Swail where Murphy made a break of 129 before missing the blue ball, and in a match against Mark Williams where the maximum attempt ended on a break of 122 as he missed the green ball.[172] In 2014, Murphy became the first player to make three maximums in a calendar year.

At the Masters in January, he defeated Mark Selby, Stephen Maguire and Mark Allen en route to the final against Neil Robertson. Murphy won the match 10–2, completing his career Triple Crown.[173][174]

In the World Championship, seeded eighth, Murphy beat Robin Hull 10–3, Joe Perry 13–5, Anthony McGill 13–8 and Barry Hawkins 17–9, to reach his third final, where he met tenth seed Stuart Bingham.[175] Despite leading 3–0 and 8–5, Murphy fell behind 11–14 in the third session; after fighting back to level the score at 15–15, he lost the next three frames and the final 15–18.[176]

2015–16 season

[edit]

At the UK Championship, Murphy defeated Ashley Hugill, Zhou Yuelong and Ben Woollaston to reach the last 16, but then lost 4–6 to Marco Fu.[177] In defence of his title at the Masters, he was knocked out in the first round by Mark Allen, losing 4–6.[178] Murphy's only ranking title this season came at the World Grand Prix in March. With wins over Michael White, Martin Gould, Liang Wenbo and Ding Junhui, he met Stuart Bingham in the final—a repeat of the previous year's World Championship final—and claimed the victory this time by winning 10–9.[179] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy suffered a shocking first-round exit, losing 8–10 to Anthony McGill.[180]

2016–17 season

[edit]

Murphy reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship but lost 2–6 to the eventual champion Mark Selby.[181] He faced another first-round exit at the Masters, this time losing heavily to Barry Hawkins 1–6.[182] In March 2017, Murphy won his seventh ranking title, and his first of the season, by beating Judd Trump 4–2 in the Gibraltar Open final.[183] At the World Snooker Championship, his 10–8 victory over Yan Bingtao earned him a place in the second round, where he was defeated by Ronnie O'Sullivan 13–7.[184][185]

2017–18 season

[edit]

Murphy reached the final of the China Championship in August, with victories over Zhang Anda, Ken Doherty, Anthony Hamilton, Stephen Maguire, Zhou Yuelong and Ali Carter, but he was defeated 5–10 by Luca Brecel in the final.[186] Later that month, he reached the second ranking tournament final of the season, the Paul Hunter Classic, this time losing 2–4 to Michael White.[187] In November, he won the invitational Champion of Champions tournament for the first time, beating Mark King, White and Brecel on the way to the final, before claiming a 10–8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan.[188] The pair faced each other again in the final of the UK Championship in December, but this time Murphy lost 5–10.[189]

At the Masters, he avoided another first-round exit by beating Carter 6–4, though it was a hard-fought victory as Carter recovered from a 0–4 deficit to pull up to 4–5 behind.[190] However, Murphy was knocked out of the tournament in the next round by Judd Trump, losing 4–6.[191] He reached his third ranking final of the season at the Players Championship in March. After defeating Kyren Wilson, Anthony McGill and Mark Williams, he met Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final for the third time this season; trailing 3–6 at the end of the afternoon session, he eventually lost the match 4–10.[192][193] At the end of the season, Murphy suffered another shocking first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship, losing 9–10 to Jamie Jones.[194]

2018–19 season

[edit]

In December 2018, Murphy was defeated by world number 124 Chen Feilong in the first round of the UK Championship. Despite taking an early lead of 3–1, Murphy lost the next five frames and lost the match 3–6.[195][196] He bounced back later that month and reached the final of the Scottish Open after winning against the likes of Michael Holt, Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump to face Mark Allen in the final. After trailing 3–6, Murphy won four frames out of the next five to level the match at 7–7, but Allen eventually claimed the title by winning 9–7.[197] In January 2019, Murphy lost 2–6 to Barry Hawkins in the first round of the Masters.[198] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy whitewashed debutant Luo Honghao in the first round, winning 10–0, the joint biggest defeat in Crucible history.[199][200] But he was knocked out of the tournament by Neil Robertson in the next round, losing 6–13.[201]

2019–20 season

[edit]

In August 2019, Murphy won against the likes of Yuan Sijun, Yan Bingtao, Neil Robertson, Graeme Dott and Mark Allen to face Judd Trump in the final of the International Championship. After trailing 0–5 at the beginning, Murphy eventually lost the match 3–10.[202] In September, Murphy also reached the final of the Shanghai Masters, an invitational tournament, after beating Lyu Haotian, Mark Williams, Jack Lisowski and Mark Allen. He suffered another defeat in the final against Ronnie O'Sullivan, this time losing 9–11.[203] He defeated Williams in the final of the China Championship later that month and captured his first ranking title since winning the Gibraltar Open in March 2017.[204][205] At the UK Championship, Murphy lost 4–6 to Eden Sharav in the first round, despite taking an early lead of 3–1.[206] In January 2020, Murphy progressed to the semi-finals of the Masters for the first time since winning the title in 2015 after defeating Trump and Joe Perry,[207][208] but he eventually lost 3–6 to Ali Carter.[209] In February 2020, Murphy claimed his ninth ranking title after thrashing Kyren Wilson in the final of the Welsh Open. He made three century breaks and three more breaks over 70 to win 9–1.[210][211] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy had another first round exit after losing to Noppon Saengkham 4–10.[212]

2020–21 season

[edit]

Murphy reached the semi-finals of the European Masters in September, knocking out the defending champion Neil Robertson at the quarter-final stage, but was then himself defeated 3–6 by Mark Selby.[213] He made a quarter-final appearance at the Masters in January where he was defeated by the same scoreline by Stuart Bingham.[214]

Defending his title at the Welsh Open in February, Murphy was defeated in the quarter-finals by Stephen Maguire in a ninth-frame decider after taking an earlier 4–3 lead.[215] Murphy met Mark Selby in the final of the World Championship in a repeat of the European Masters semi-final seven months earlier; he lost 18–15. This was the fourth time that Murphy reached the final.[216][217]

2021–22 season

[edit]

On 24 November, following his first-round loss to amateur player Si Jiahui in the 2021 UK Championship, Murphy commented, "he [Si] played like a man who does not have a care in the world, because he does not have a care in the world. It is not fair, it is not right. I am not picking on him as a young man, he deserved his victory. Amateurs should not be allowed in professional tournaments, the end. This is our livelihood. This is how I put food on the table. This is how I earn money. Since turning professional at 15, I have earned the right to call myself a professional snooker player. He hasn't done that. He shouldn't be on the table."[218] He later regretted the timing of these comments and apologised to Si,[219] revealing in 2023 that he was "in a dark place" at the time of his "out of character" outburst.[220] The highlight of his season was reaching the semi-final of the 2022 Turkish Masters, where he lost 6–2 to Judd Trump.[221]

2022–23 season

[edit]

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Murphy revealed he had undergone gastric sleeve surgery after years of weight fluctuation and associated injuries, fat shaming on social media and a resurgence in over-eating after separating from his wife Elaine (although they later reconciled).[222] The move precipitated an upturn in form, starting with reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship (for the first time since 2017) where he was defeated 6–1 by Jack Lisowski.[223] He had an impressive second half of the season, reaching the final of the 2023 Welsh Open where he narrowly lost 9–7 to Robert Milkins,[224] before winning the Players Championship in impressive fashion with a 10–4 win in the final over Ali Carter. He made five centuries during the final including a highest break of 145 to seal his first ranking title since the 2020 Welsh Open.[225] Just over a month later, he added the Tour Championship to his trophy collection, defeating Kyren Wilson 10–7 in the final despite being 4–0 down.[226]

On the eve of the World Championship he was in confident form, declaring "no one's playing better snooker than me right now", and was drawn against Si Jiahui, a match which created anticipation due to the backdrop of previous comments Murphy had made about Si in 2021.[227] Si won on a deciding frame to seal a 10–9 victory.[228] Afterwards Murphy was gracious in defeat, saying Si had been "fabulous from start to finish" and "I threw everything at him, I tried my absolute best and I still lost."[229]

2023–24 season

[edit]

Murphy beat Zhang Anda 6‍–‍2[230] and Lisowski 6‍–‍3[231] to reach the semi-final of the 2024 Masters. In his first Masters semi-final since 2020, Murphy was defeated 2‍–‍6 by O'Sullivan.[232] At the 2024 World Championship, Murphy beat Lyu Haotian 10‍–‍5 in the first round,[233] before losing 9‍–‍13 to Maguire in the last 16.[234]

2024–25 season: second Masters title

[edit]

In August 2024, Murphy reached the final of the Shanghai Masters where he was defeated 11‍–‍5 by Judd Trump.[235] At the 2025 Masters, Murphy hit a 147 break in his semi-final win over Mark Allen.[236] Murphy went on to win the tournament with a 10‍–‍7 victory over Kyren Wilson in the final at Alexandra Palace.[237] Murphy exited the 2025 World Championship at the second round stage. He was defeated 10‍–‍13 by Judd Trump.[238]

2025–26 season: British Open title

[edit]

Murphy claimed his maiden British Open title in September after overcoming Anthony McGill 10‍–‍7 in the final.[239] The following month, he reached another final, at the Xi'an Grand Prix, where he was defeated 3‍–‍10 by Mark Williams.[240]

Playing style

[edit]

Murphy is noted for his straight cue action,[11] which Steve Davis once called "the best cue action I've ever seen",[11] as well as his long potting and breakbuilding.[40] Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in The Times that Murphy has improved his tactical game since his World Championship victory.[79] He has compiled more than 700 century breaks[241] and has completed ten maximum breaks.[242] His total career earnings are in excess of £4 million.[243]

Rivalry

[edit]

Murphy has clashed with Stephen Maguire, another of the 2000 Young Players of Distinction, on several occasions. At the start of their 2004 Grand Prix match, there was an incident that resulted in Maguire being docked the opening frame. After they had shaken hands at the outset of the first frame, Maguire asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave the arena and retrieve his chalk, which he had forgotten. While Maguire was away, the referee and Murphy spoke before tournament director Mike Ganley arrived on the scene and docked Maguire a frame for technically not being ready to start at the scheduled time, which angered and surprised Maguire. Murphy refutes that the docking of the frame was down to him speaking to the referee. Maguire won the match 5–2 and later commented: "Rules are rules but I've never heard of anything like that happening before".[244]

Further incidents came in subsequent years. During the 2006 World Championship, Maguire said "I don't want to be a fat world champion", a perceived reference to Murphy.[245] After beating Murphy in the 2007 Welsh Open, Maguire said of the chalk incident, "That put the icing on the cake, but we've always had a rivalry. I dislike him and I think he dislikes me. I try hard to beat everyone, but it would have hurt more if I'd lost to him."[246]

Murphy has been outspoken about several other of his rivals, criticising them for having too many toilet breaks and complaining about table conditions among other issues.[98][247] Murphy has also made collective criticisms of his fellow professionals for not attending events, and has branded other players' concerns over prize money as "a joke".[248][249]

Personal life

[edit]

Born in Harlow and raised in Irthlingborough, Murphy was home-schooled from age 13 after being bullied at school.[3][11] His parents split up when he was 14, after which he lived with his father Tony, a former professional golfer, and did not see his mother again until he was 19.[3][250] During the 2007 World Championship, he revealed that he not spoken in over a year to his father, then a member of the World Snooker board.[251][252] In 2023, Murphy confirmed that they were still estranged.[227]

During the 2004–05 season, Murphy moved to Whiston, a suburb of Rotherham, to live with his fiancée Clare Llewellyn, whom he married in July 2005.[253][41] They separated in 2008.[254] She filed for divorce the following year after The People newspaper revealed that Murphy had spent the night with an escort. His then-manager Brandon Parker confirmed that Murphy had spent the night with the woman but stated that they did not have sex.[92][255] Murphy subsequently stated that he and the woman, who dated as teenagers, had reconnected through Facebook after he separated from his wife. He stated that he was unaware at the time that she had become an escort.[256] He subsequently dated Claire Chorlton, who attended the final of the 2012 UK Championship.[257]

Murphy married Irish academic Elaine O'Reilly in June 2016. They had two children together, a son and daughter.[258][227] The family moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 2018.[259][260] They divorced in May 2023, with Murphy calling the split "amicable" and saying "our whole lives now become about raising our children".[261] In January 2025, he was reported to be in a relationship with musician Jo Rochell, who appeared with him after he won the 2025 Masters.[262][263] In November 2025, he and Rochell announced their engagement.[264][265]

Murphy became a Christian at the age of 15, after meeting a religious family on holiday.[11][266] He later became known for his charitable work and donations, which included doing aid work in Zimbabwe with his then-wife Clare in 2006,[267] donating one-tenth of his 2005 World Championship winnings to his church,[11] and donating £100 to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for every century he made at the 2012 World Championship.[268] In 2021, he stated in an interview that his faith had diminished over time, saying it had always been "50/50 at best" and that he had "found faith and [has] since lost it".[269] In 2023, he referred to himself as an atheist.[227]

Performance and rankings timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1998/
99 		1999/
00 		2000/
01 		2001/
02 		2002/
03 		2003/
04 		2004/
05 		2005/
06 		2006/
07 		2007/
08 		2008/
09 		2009/
10 		2010/
11 		2011/
12 		2012/
13 		2013/
14 		2014/
15 		2015/
16 		2016/
17 		2017/
18 		2018/
19 		2019/
20 		2020/
21 		2021/
22 		2022/
23 		2023/
24 		2024/
25 		2025/
26
Ranking[270][nb 1] [nb 2] [nb 3] [nb 3] [nb 2] 72 64 48 21 5 3 3 3 7 7 6 4 7 6 4 8 8 14 8 5 9 7 7 14
Ranking tournaments
Championship League Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event 2R 2R 2R W 2R RR
Saudi Arabia Masters Tournament Not Held SF 6R
Wuhan Open Tournament Not Held LQ QF 2R
English Open Tournament Not Held 2R 4R 3R 4R 2R 2R 3R LQ 2R 3R
British Open LQ A A LQ LQ 2R SF Tournament Not Held 1R LQ 1R 1R W
Xi'an Grand Prix Tournament Not Held 2R F
Northern Ireland Open Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R QF 1R QF 2R 3R QF 3R
International Championship Tournament Not Held SF 1R 2R 3R QF 3R LQ F Not Held 1R 2R QF
UK Championship LQ A A LQ WD LQ LQ 3R 2R SF W 2R SF QF F 4R 4R 4R SF F 1R 1R 2R 1R QF 1R QF
Shoot-Out Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event SF 1R 2R 4R 2R 2R 2R 2R 2R
Scottish Open[nb 4] LQ A A LQ 1R 2R Tournament Not Held MR Not Held 2R 1R F 4R 3R 1R 1R LQ 2R
German Masters NR Tournament Not Held 2R SF QF 3R F 1R LQ SF 1R SF 1R 2R LQ LQ 3R
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held NR W QF QF 1R 1R 1R DNQ SF 2R SF
Players Championship[nb 5] Tournament Not Held W DNQ DNQ 2R 2R SF 1R F DNQ SF DNQ DNQ W DNQ QF
Welsh Open LQ A A LQ LQ LQ LQ F QF SF QF 1R 1R SF 1R 3R 2R 3R 2R 1R 2R W QF 2R F LQ 1R
World Open[nb 6] LQ A A LQ LQ 3R 1R 3R RR SF 1R 1R LQ QF 2R W Not Held QF 1R LQ 2R Not Held 3R QF
Tour Championship Tournament Not Held DNQ QF DNQ DNQ W DNQ 1R
World Championship LQ LQ LQ 1R 1R LQ W QF SF 2R F QF 2R 1R QF QF F 1R 2R 1R 2R 1R F 1R 1R 2R 2R
Non-ranking tournaments
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held Ranking Event WD F Not Held 2R F 2R
Champion of Champions Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R 1R W SF QF 1R 1R A QF 1R 1R
Riyadh Season Championship Tournament Not Held QF 2R
The Masters LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ A QF QF QF 1R QF 1R F SF SF W 1R 1R QF 1R SF QF 1R QF SF W
Championship League Tournament Not Held SF RR RR F 2R RR SF WD A RR WD A A A A WD A A
Former ranking tournaments
Thailand Masters LQ A A LQ NR Not Held NR Tournament Not Held
Irish Masters Non-Ranking Event LQ LQ LQ NH NR Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Trophy Tournament Not Held NR QF SF 2R Tournament Not Held
Bahrain Championship Tournament Not Held 1R Tournament Not Held
Wuxi Classic[nb 7] Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking 1R LQ QF Tournament Not Held
Australian Goldfields Open Tournament Not Held SF QF 2R 2R 1R Tournament Not Held
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held 1R 1R SF 2R QF SF 2R 2R 2R 1R LQ NR Not Held Non-Ranking
Paul Hunter Classic[nb 8] Tournament Not Held Pro-am Event Minor-Ranking Event A F 1R NR Tournament Not Held
Indian Open Tournament Not Held LQ A NH SF 3R 2R Tournament Not Held
China Open[nb 9] LQ A A LQ Not Held LQ 1R QF F QF 1R SF 1R SF 3R QF 2R QF 1R LQ Tournament Not Held
Riga Masters[nb 10] Tournament Not Held MR A LQ 2R LQ Tournament Not Held
China Championship Tournament Not Held NR F 3R W Tournament Not Held
WST Pro Series Tournament Not Held 2R Tournament Not Held
Turkish Masters Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Gibraltar Open Tournament Not Held MR W WD 3R A 3R WD Tournament Not Held
WST Classic Tournament Not Held 2R Not Held
European Masters[nb 11] LQ Not Held LQ LQ LQ 1R 2R W NR Tournament Not Held 1R LQ LQ LQ SF 1R 3R 3R Not Held
Former non-ranking tournaments
Masters Qualifying Event[nb 12] 3R 2R W SF 2R 3R NH A A A A A Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Trophy Tournament Not Held QF Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Pot Black Tournament Not Held F QF F Tournament Not Held
European Open[nb 11] Not Held Ranking Event W Tournament Not Held Ranking Event
World Series Jersey Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
World Series Berlin Tournament Not Held F Tournament Not Held
World Series Grand Final Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
World Series Killarney Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Hainan Classic Tournament Not Held RR Tournament Not Held
Wuxi Classic[nb 7] Tournament Not Held RR SF W SF Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Brazil Masters Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Power Snooker Tournament Not Held SF 1R Tournament Not Held
Premier League A A A A A A A RR A A A W F RR RR Tournament Not Held
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held 1R Ranking Event
General Cup Tournament Not Held A Tournament Not Held A NH A A RR F A Tournament Not Held
Shoot-Out Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R 2R QF 2R Ranking Event
China Championship Tournament Not Held SF Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Hong Kong Masters Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held A Not Held
Six-red World Championship[nb 13] Tournament Not Held A 2R A NH F QF QF A A A A A Not Held WD Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did not qualify for the tournament A did not participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
NH / Not Held means an event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event means an event is/was a ranking event.
MR / Minor-Ranking Event means an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
PA / Pro-am Event means an event is/was a pro-am event.
  1. ^ From the 2010/2011 season it shows the ranking at the beginning of the season.
  2. ^ a b New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking
  3. ^ a b He was not on the Main Tour.
  4. ^ The event was called the Players Championship (2003/2004)
  5. ^ The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals (2010/2011–2012/2013) and the Players Championship Grand Final (2013/2014–2015/2016)
  6. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix (1998/1999–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010), the LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004) and the Haikou World Open (2011/2012–2013/2014)
  7. ^ a b The event was called the Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)
  8. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix Fürth (2004/2005) and the Fürth German Open (2005/2006–2006/2007)
  9. ^ The event was called the China International (1998/1999)
  10. ^ The event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)
  11. ^ a b The event was called the Irish Open (1998/1999) and Malta Cup (2004/2005–2007/2008)
  12. ^ The event was also called the Benson & Hedges Championship (1990/1991–2002/2003)
  13. ^ The event was called the Six-red Snooker International (2008/2009) and the Six-red World Grand Prix (2009/2010)

Career finals

[edit]

Ranking finals: 28 (13 titles)

[edit]
Legend
World Championship (1–3)
UK Championship (1–2)
Other (11–10)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2005 World Snooker Championship Wales Matthew Stevens 18–16 [271]
Runner-up 1. 2006 Welsh Open England Stephen Lee 4–9 [272]
Winner 2. 2007 Malta Cup Wales Ryan Day 9–4 [273]
Runner-up 2. 2008 China Open Scotland Stephen Maguire 9–10 [274]
Winner 3. 2008 UK Championship Hong Kong Marco Fu 10–9 [275]
Runner-up 3. 2009 World Snooker Championship Scotland John Higgins 9–18 [271]
Winner 4. 2011 Players Tour Championship Finals England Martin Gould 4–0 [276]
Runner-up 4. 2012 UK Championship England Mark Selby 6–10 [277]
Winner 5. 2014 World Open England Mark Selby 10–6 [278]
Runner-up 5. 2015 German Masters England Mark Selby 7–9 [279]
Runner-up 6. 2015 World Snooker Championship (2) England Stuart Bingham 15–18 [280]
Winner 6. 2016 World Grand Prix England Stuart Bingham 10–9 [281]
Winner 7. 2017 Gibraltar Open England Judd Trump 4–2 [282]
Runner-up 7. 2017 China Championship Belgium Luca Brecel 5–10 [283]
Runner-up 8. 2017 Paul Hunter Classic Wales Michael White 2–4 [284]
Runner-up 9. 2017 UK Championship (2) England Ronnie O'Sullivan 5–10 [285]
Runner-up 10. 2018 Players Championship England Ronnie O'Sullivan 4–10 [286]
Runner-up 11. 2018 Scottish Open Northern Ireland Mark Allen 7–9 [287]
Runner-up 12. 2019 International Championship England Judd Trump 3–10 [288]
Winner 8. 2019 China Championship Wales Mark Williams 10–9 [289]
Winner 9. 2020 Welsh Open England Kyren Wilson 9–1 [290]
Runner-up 13. 2021 World Snooker Championship (3) England Mark Selby 15–18 [291]
Runner-up 14. 2023 Welsh Open (2) England Robert Milkins 7–9 [292]
Winner 10. 2023 Players Championship England Ali Carter 10–4 [293]
Winner 11. 2023 Tour Championship England Kyren Wilson 10–7 [294]
Winner 12. 2023 Championship League Wales Mark Williams 3–0 [295]
Winner 13. 2025 British Open Scotland Anthony McGill 10–7 [296]
Runner-up 15. 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix Wales Mark Williams 3–10 [297]

Minor-ranking finals: 6 (4 titles)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2010 Brugge Open England Matthew Couch 4–2 [276]
Runner-up 1. 2010 Ruhr Championship Scotland John Higgins 2–4 [276]
Winner 2. 2014 Gdynia Open Republic of Ireland Fergal O'Brien 4–1 [165]
Winner 3. 2014 Bulgarian Open England Martin Gould 4–2 [170]
Winner 4. 2014 Ruhr Open England Robert Milkins 4–0 [172]
Runner-up 2. 2015 Paul Hunter Classic England Ali Carter 3–4 [298]

Non-ranking finals: 25 (12 titles)

[edit]
Legend
The Masters (2–1)
Champion of Champions (1–0)
Premier League (1–1)
Other (8–11)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1998 UK Tour – Event 4 Northern Ireland Patrick Wallace 4–6 [299]
Winner 1. 2000 Benson & Hedges Championship England Stuart Bingham 9–7 [300]
Winner 2. 2001 Challenge Tour – Event 3 England Andrew Norman 6–3 [299]
Winner 3. 2001 Challenge Tour – Event 4 England Luke Simmonds 6–2 [299]
Runner-up 2. 2001 WPBSA Open Tour – Event 1 England Mark Gray 2–5 [301]
Runner-up 3. 2005 Pot Black Wales Matthew Stevens 0–1 [302]
Runner-up 4. 2007 Pot Black (2) Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty 0–1 [302]
Winner 4. 2008 Malta Cup Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty 9–3 [273]
Runner-up 5. 2008 World Series of Snooker Berlin Scotland Graeme Dott 1–6 [303]
Winner 5. 2009 World Series of Snooker Grand Final Scotland John Higgins 6–2 [304]
Winner 6. 2009 World Series of Snooker Killarney England Jimmy White 5–1 [305]
Winner 7. 2009 Premier League England Ronnie O'Sullivan 7–3 [306]
Winner 8. 2010 Wuxi Classic China Ding Junhui 9–8 [274]
Runner-up 6. 2010 Premier League England Ronnie O'Sullivan 1–7 [306]
Runner-up 7. 2011 Championship League Wales Matthew Stevens 1–3 [306]
Winner 9. 2011 Brazil Masters Scotland Graeme Dott 5–0 [124]
Runner-up 8. 2012 The Masters Australia Neil Robertson 6–10 [132]
Runner-up 9. 2012 Six-red World Championship England Mark Davis 4–8 [142]
Runner-up 10. 2014 General Cup England Ali Carter 6–7 [171]
Winner 10. 2015 The Masters Australia Neil Robertson 10–2 [173]
Winner 11. 2017 Champion of Champions England Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–8 [307]
Runner-up 11. 2019 Shanghai Masters England Ronnie O'Sullivan 9–11 [203]
Runner-up 12. 2024 Shanghai Masters (2) England Judd Trump 5–11
Winner 12. 2025 The Masters (2) England Kyren Wilson 10–7
Runner-up 13. 2025 Helsinki Super Shootout Wales Mark Williams 0–1 [308]

Pro-am finals: 3 (2 titles)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1999 Hannover International Masters England Matthew Couch 5–6 [309]
Winner 1. 2008 Paul Hunter Classic England Mark Selby 4–0 [310]
Winner 2. 2009 Paul Hunter Classic (2) England Jimmy White 4–0 [310]

Amateur finals: 6 (5 titles)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1995 UK Under-15 Championship England Lee Spick 3–2 [311]
Winner 2. 1996 English Under-15 Championship England Stuart Roper 4–2 [312]
Winner 3. 1996 UK Under-15 Championship (2) England Ricky Walden 3–2 [313]
Winner 4. 1997 UK Under-15 Championship (3) Wales Ian Preece 3–0 [314]
Runner-up 1. 1998 English Under-21 Championship England Robert Donkin 1–6 [312]
Winner 5. 2000 English Open England Brian Salmon 8–1 [312]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shaun Murphy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Shaun Murphy is an English professional player born on 10 August 1982, renowned for completing the Triple Crown of by winning the in 2005, the in 2008, and the Masters in both 2015 and 2025. Turning professional in 1998, Murphy quickly established himself as a formidable competitor, reaching his first final as a qualifier in 2005 at age 22, where he defeated 18–16 to claim his maiden world title and become one of the youngest champions in the tournament's history. His victory marked the start of a career that includes 13 ranking titles, four Triple Crown events, and 10 maximum breaks (147s), with his most recent maximum compiled during the 2025 Masters en route to his second title at the event. Murphy's precise cue action and tactical acumen have earned him a reputation as one of 's most consistent performers, amassing over 700 century breaks and maintaining a strong presence on the , where he currently ranks ninth in the world as of November 2025. In recent seasons, Murphy has continued to excel, securing his 13th ranking title at the 2025 Unibet British Open and demonstrating resilience with a 71% win rate in the 2025/2026 season so far, including 33 breaks of 100 or more and a highest break of 141. Beyond the table, he serves as a pundit and engages in motivational speaking, drawing on his experiences to inspire others, while also advocating for players' issues as a former chairman of the WPBSA Players Board.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Shaun Murphy was born on 10 August 1982 in , , , and raised in the nearby town of , . He grew up in a working-class family facing financial hardships, with his parents often relying on car boot sales and auctions to make ends meet during his . Murphy's father, Tony, a former who competed in the 1969 , played a pivotal role in his upbringing and introduced him to at the age of eight by purchasing a six-foot table as a , which served as his initial practice setup amid limited resources. The family instilled values of and , supporting Murphy's burgeoning interest despite the challenges, including his parents' separation when he was 14, after which he lived primarily with his father. Murphy has one brother and one sister, and the family's emphasis on perseverance helped him navigate early obstacles, such as at school that led to from age 13, while providing encouragement for his local junior participation.

Introduction to snooker and amateur success

Shaun Murphy was introduced to snooker at the age of eight, when his parents gifted him a table for , sparking an immediate passion for the sport. Raised in , , he began taking lessons and practicing regularly, demonstrating exceptional talent from the outset. By age ten, he had compiled his first , a remarkable achievement that highlighted his rapid progress and potential in the game. Murphy's early development was supported by his family's encouragement, allowing him to dedicate time to the sport while balancing home education with a tutor. He honed his skills at local venues like the Centre, where his abilities were quickly recognized by coaches. Under the guidance of early mentors such as Steve Prest, and later influential figures including and , Murphy built a disciplined training regimen focused on technical precision and match practice at junior clubs. This foundation propelled him to junior competitive levels by age 13, where he secured a £5,000 annual sponsorship from , underscoring his emerging reputation. He first turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15 but lost his tour card after one season, returning to the amateur ranks. In his amateur career, Murphy amassed five titles, showcasing his prowess in youth competitions. Notable successes included winning the English Under-19 Championship in 2000 and the Pontins Championship in 2001, which helped establish him as one of Britain's top young prospects. These victories, combined with strong performances on the UK Tour, such as runner-up finishes and event wins, built his confidence and visibility. As an amateur, he also qualified for professional events, reaching the Crucible Theatre at the 2002 World Snooker Championship, where he gained invaluable experience against top players. Murphy's path to sustained professionalism culminated in regaining a tour card in 2001 by topping the Challenge Tour Order of Merit with two event wins, marking the end of his primary amateur phase after years of consistent junior and developmental success.

Professional career

Early professional years (1998–2003)

Murphy turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15, competing on the main tour for a single season before losing his place. He spent the next two years rebuilding on the , topping the in 2000 with victories in two events to regain his professional status for the 2001–02 season. Upon his return, Murphy faced significant adaptation challenges, including the pressure of qualifying for main tour events and the risk of relegation due to inconsistent results. In the 2001–02 season, he narrowly avoided dropping off the tour by securing enough through strong performances in qualifiers, finishing the year ranked 54th. His earnings remained low, totaling £24,800 for the season, forcing him to balance intensive practice with financial constraints while living at home to minimize costs. The 2002–03 season brought gradual progress, highlighted by his first-round qualification for the at the Crucible, where he lost 10–7 to . He repeated this feat in 2003, again exiting in the opening round 10–4 to , but these appearances boosted his visibility among established professionals. A key milestone came at the LG Cup in October 2003, where Murphy reached the last 16 for the first time in a ranking event, stunning six-time world champion 5–4 in the last 32 with a composed decider. At the 2003 , Murphy advanced to the last 32, defeating Leo Fernandez 9–7 in qualifying before falling 9–5 to Mark King, a run that helped him climb to 64th in the provisional rankings and build confidence against top-tier opponents. These efforts, though modest, demonstrated his resilience amid the tour's competitive demands, setting the stage for further development while he navigated rankings in the 50–70 range.

Breakthrough and first major titles (2004–2008)

Murphy's breakthrough came during the 2004–05 season, when he was ranked 62nd at the start. He reached his first ranking event semi-final at the British Open in October 2004, defeating players like and before losing 6–0 to . Later that season, as a qualifier seeded 64th, Murphy stunned the field at the at the Crucible Theatre. In the last 16, he trailed seven-time champion 3–1 but mounted a comeback, winning seven of the next nine frames to secure a 13–8 victory. He followed with dominant wins over (13–4 in the quarter-finals) and (17–12 in the semi-finals, including a highest break of 138), before defeating 18–16 in the final to claim his first major title at age 22—the first qualifier to win since Terry Griffiths in 1979. The triumph propelled Murphy into the spotlight and boosted his ranking to 21st by the end of the 2004–05 season. Over the next few years, he established himself as a top contender, climbing to a career-high of by 2007 and maintaining a position in the top 10. In the 2006–07 season, he secured his second ranking title at the Malta Cup, defeating 9–2 in the final. Murphy's form continued into 2008, when he won the non-ranking Masters in January, beating 10–9 in the final for his first Triple Crown event. Later that year, he captured the —his third ranking title overall—with a thrilling 10–9 victory over in the final, completing the second leg of the Triple Crown. These successes marked Murphy's emergence as one of snooker's , with four major titles (three ) in this period highlighting his tactical precision and resilience under pressure. His rapid rise from mid-pack qualifier to consistent top player underscored a pivotal phase in his career, setting the stage for further contention in subsequent years.

Peak years and challenges (2009–2015)

Following the momentum from his 2005 triumph, Shaun Murphy established himself as a consistent force in professional during the 2009–2015 period, amassing four ranking titles and completing the Triple Crown with a dominant Masters victory. In the 2008/09 season, Murphy captured the in , edging out 10-9 in a tense final to secure his second Triple Crown event after a comeback from 5-9 down. This success propelled him to the 2009 final at , where he fell 18-9 to despite strong earlier performances, including a quarter-final win over highlighted by Hendry's . Murphy's consistency earned him a career-high world ranking of No. 3, which he held from 2007 through the 2009/10 season, with top-8 finishes becoming a hallmark of his elite status. Murphy added to his tally with the 2011 Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway, defeating 4-0 in the final for his first title under the new minor-ranking format, showcasing his adaptability amid the tour's expansion. The following year, he claimed the 2012 Australian Goldfields Open in , beating 9-3 in the final to mark his first ranking win and demonstrate resilience after a semifinal loss in the to . In 2014, Murphy triumphed at the World Open in , overcoming 10-6 in the final—his first ranking title in over two years—and making three maximum breaks during the season, a record at the time. These victories underscored his technical precision and mental fortitude, positioning him as a perennial contender in major events. However, the period was not without challenges, as Murphy navigated form slumps and early tournament exits that tested his ranking position. In the 2011/12 season, he struggled at , losing in the last 16 to 13-3 after advancing past and . A shocking first-round defeat at the 2012 to qualifier Jamie Jones 10-9 marked one of the tournament's biggest upsets, contributing to a dip to No. 7 in the rankings by season's end. Similar inconsistencies persisted into 2013/14, with multiple last-32 losses leading to a slide to No. 5, though he rebounded with semifinal runs at events like the . Despite these hurdles, Murphy's perseverance culminated in 2015, when he dismantled 10-2 in the Masters final at —his first Triple Crown completion as the 10th player to achieve it—and reached the World final, losing 18-15 to after a grueling semifinal win over .

Resurgence and consistency (2016–2020)

Following a period of inconsistent results in the mid-2010s, Shaun Murphy demonstrated renewed focus and adaptability during the 2016–17 season, securing his sixth ranking title at the World Grand Prix in Preston, where he edged out 10-9 in a tense final that featured several high breaks, including a 134 from Murphy. This victory, his first ranking event win since 2014, highlighted his improved safety play and long-potting accuracy against the rising competition from players like Bingham and . Later in the season, Murphy reached the semi-finals of the in , defeating and before falling 6-2 to , underscoring his return to contention in major triple-crown events. In 2017, Murphy capitalized on the introduction of shorter-format events through the new , reaching the latter stages of the English Open in , where he compiled multiple half-century breaks en route to the last 32 before a narrow defeat to . His form peaked with a seventh ranking title at the Gibraltar Open, overcoming 4-2 in the final with precise positional play and a crucial 83 break in the decider, marking his first win on the European Tour and affirming his versatility in compact tournament structures. These successes helped maintain his position within the world's top 10, ending the season ranked eighth. Murphy experienced a brief dip in 2018, slipping to No. 14 in the rankings after early exits in several events, including the World Championship last 16, amid intensified pressure from emerging talents like Kyren Wilson and Mark Allen. Demonstrating resilience, he rebounded strongly in the 2019–20 season, stabilizing at No. 5–10 through consistent quarter-final and semi-final appearances, such as his run to the last eight of the Tour Championship in Milton Keynes, where he made six centuries against Mark Allen before a 9-8 loss. This period culminated in his eighth ranking title at the Welsh Open in Cardiff, demolishing Kyren Wilson 9-1 in the final with three centuries and three 50+ breaks, a dominant performance that showcased his tactical evolution and mental fortitude in high-stakes matches. Overall, Murphy's two key ranking wins in this era—Gibraltar Open and Welsh Open—reinforced his status as a top-10 mainstay despite the sport's growing depth.

Recent achievements (2021–present)

In the 2021–22 season, Murphy reached the final for the fourth time, losing 18–15 to after defeating in the semi-finals. He secured his ninth ranking title by winning the Welsh Open for the second time, defeating 9–2 in the final held in , . This victory marked his first ranking event win since the 2020 Welsh Open. Murphy added two more ranking titles in the 2022–23 season. At the in in March 2023, he defeated 10–4 in the final to claim his 10th ranking title. Later that year, at the in in April 2023, he beat Mark Williams 10–5 in the final for his 11th ranking title. In the 2023–24 season, Murphy won the in , securing both the group and winners' group stages to earn his 12th ranking title. Murphy's resurgence continued into the 2024–25 season with a second Masters title, his first Triple Crown event win in a decade. He overcame world champion 10–7 in the final at on 19 January 2025, compiling three centuries en route to the championship. This triumph, his fourth Triple Crown overall, highlighted his enduring tactical prowess in high-stakes matches. The 2025–26 season saw Murphy claim his 13th ranking title at the British Open in September, rallying from 6–7 behind to beat Anthony McGill 10–7 in the Cheltenham final and earn the Clive Everton Trophy as the tournament's Best of British champion. He followed this with a strong run to the Xi'an Grand Prix final later that month, where he suffered a 10–3 defeat to Mark Williams, despite earlier producing a dominant 5–0 quarter-final whitewash of Kyren Wilson that nearly broke Ronnie O'Sullivan's record for the most unanswered points in a professional match, with 533 unanswered points. As of November 2025, these performances have maintained Murphy at world number 9 in the rankings.

Playing style and technique

Shot selection and positional play

Shaun Murphy is widely recognized for his precise positional accuracy, particularly in long potting, where his ramrod-straight cue action enables him to pot reds from distance with notable consistency and power. This skill allows him to open up the table early in and set up multi-ball sequences, often transitioning seamlessly from long pots into controlled breaks. His ability to place the cue ball effectively after such shots minimizes risks and maximizes scoring opportunities, a trait evident throughout his career, including his 2005 World Championship triumph as a qualifier. In safety battles, Murphy excels at cue ball control, employing shots and escapes to regain momentum during prolonged exchanges. These techniques involve applying backspin to draw the cue ball back toward his intended position while avoiding fouls, forcing opponents into difficult pots or further safeties. By mastering these elements, he disrupts rivals' rhythm and induces errors, particularly in tight frames where tactical depth is crucial. His proficiency in such scenarios has been highlighted in analyses of his match management, where he uses escapes not just defensively but to strategically. Murphy's tactical evolution reflects a shift from an aggressive, pot-dominant approach in his early career to a more conservative strategy suited to long matches, particularly after 2010. Early on, he admitted to "going for too many shots and losing to players I shouldn’t have been losing to," prompting a deliberate focus on tactical play. This adjustment includes prioritizing when needed and balancing risk in shot selection, allowing him to "get in the trenches and fight it out" more effectively. By , he described himself as "a little bit cleverer," blending youthful flair with matured positioning to sustain performance over extended tournaments. This refined approach contributes to Murphy's statistical edge in high-pressure situations, with a career deciding-frame win percentage of 54.42% across 351 frames, underscoring his composure in positioning for victory when frames are level.

Strengths, weaknesses, and evolution

Shaun Murphy's primary strengths lie in his exceptional composure under pressure and his proficiency in break-building. During the 2005 World Snooker Championship, the 22-year-old qualifier navigated a grueling tournament as a 150-1 outsider, culminating in an 18-16 final victory over Matthew Stevens, where he maintained remarkable poise amid intense scrutiny and fatigue. This mental fortitude has been a hallmark of his game, allowing him to thrive in high-stakes scenarios throughout his career. Additionally, Murphy's cue ball control and long-potting accuracy have enabled him to compile 755 century breaks and 10 maximum 147 breaks as of November 2025, placing him among the sport's elite break-builders. His creative flair, often showcased through inventive shot selection, earned him the nickname "The Magician" following his 2005 Crucible heroics. Despite these assets, Murphy has vulnerabilities, including occasional lapses in temperament during critical moments and a relatively measured pace that contrasts with the rapid, power-driven style of players like . In high-stakes matches, such as his 2023 exit to debutant , Murphy has shown frustration leading to unforced errors under mounting pressure. His deliberate approach, emphasizing and positional precision, can sometimes slow the game's tempo, making him susceptible to aggressive opponents who dictate a faster rhythm, as seen in several encounters with Trump where Murphy's methodical play was outpaced. Murphy's playing style has evolved significantly from his early days to a more refined , with recent adaptations enhancing his longevity. As an , he displayed a flamboyant, attacking flair that propelled rapid success, but upon turning in 1998, he transitioned to a more disciplined, safety-conscious method to build consistency at the elite level. In recent years, particularly from 2024 onward, Murphy has focused on mental coaching with former world champion , crediting the partnership for restoring self-belief and adding "steel" to his game, which contributed to titles like the 2025 Masters and British Open. This resurgence has seen him blend his original creativity with greater resilience, positioning him as a consistent contender into his 40s.

Rivalries

Key rivalries with top players

One of Shaun Murphy's most significant rivalries in is with , marked by over 20 encounters that highlight a clash between 's flair-driven aggression and Murphy's methodical precision. The pair have faced off 22 times overall, with securing 16 victories to Murphy's 5, alongside one draw; in ranking events alone, they have met nine times, winning eight. A defining moment occurred in the semi-final, where Murphy upset the defending champion to reach his first final, showcasing his composure under pressure despite the stylistic contrasts that often lead to tense, drawn-out battles. This rivalry has featured ongoing competitive tension, with Murphy occasionally capitalizing on 's erratic moments, though 's dominance has generally prevailed, influencing Murphy's emphasis on mental resilience in preparation. Murphy's head-to-head with exemplifies a power-versus-precision dynamic, with their 54 meetings—the most frequent among Murphy's top rivals—yielding a balanced yet Trump-led record of 34 wins for Trump to Murphy's 20. In ranking events, Trump holds a 21-10 edge across 31 clashes, often producing high-scoring frames due to Trump's heavy shot-making contrasting Murphy's strategic safety play. A pivotal encounter was their 2013 quarter-final, where Trump's comeback victory underscored the rivalry's intensity and Murphy's vulnerability to aggressive momentum shifts. These matchups have fostered mutual respect, with both players pushing each other to elevate their games through contrasting approaches that test endurance and adaptability. Against , Murphy's contests are renowned for defensive masterclasses, emphasizing tactical safety and psychological warfare over flamboyant breaks, in a series of 47 meetings where leads 27-19 (1 draw). Ranking event battles number prominently, contributing to Selby's edge in high-stakes scenarios like multiple . Their highlights Murphy's growth in grinding out against Selby's unyielding defense, often extending matches into marathons that demand unflinching focus. More recently, Murphy has developed a strong edge over , leading 10-4 across 14 encounters, including key 2025 clashes such as Murphy's 10-7 victory in the Masters final and a 5-0 whitewash at the Grand Prix. These matchups pit Wilson's powerful long potting against Murphy's positional accuracy, with Murphy's recent successes reinforcing his consistency against rising top-tier threats. Overall, these rivalries—spanning 13 ranking finals involving elite opponents—blend mutual respect with a sharp competitive edge, shaping Murphy's tactical evolution and mental fortitude.

Notable matches and dynamics

One of Shaun Murphy's most iconic victories came in the final against , where he staged a remarkable comeback to win 18–16. Trailing 12–14 after the third session amid intense pressure at the Crucible Theatre, the 22-year-old qualifier reeled off four consecutive frames to level the match before securing the title with a composed 72 in the decider, marking his breakthrough as world champion and propelling him into the spotlight as an success story. In January 2025, Murphy claimed his second Masters title with a 10–7 victory over at , demonstrating resilience by fending off a late surge from the world champion after leading 7–3 at the interval. This win, featuring a match-clinching of 102, not only added to his Triple Crown collection but also reignited discussions about his clutch performance under the bright lights of a high-stakes invitational event. In November 2025, Murphy secured a 4-0 whitewash over in the second round of the Riyadh Season Championship, marking his first victory against the seven-time world champion since 2017 and highlighting his tactical precision in a dominant performance. Among his dramatic losses, the 2019 final stands out, where Murphy was comprehensively defeated 3–10 by in , , despite an early fightback that reduced a 6–1 deficit to 6–3 by the break. Post-match, Murphy reflected on critical errors in play and positional shots that allowed Trump to dominate, admitting the lopsided scoreline masked his initial competitiveness but highlighted the need for sustained focus in title deciders. Similarly, in the 2025 Grand Prix final, Mark Williams overpowered him 10–3, with Murphy later critiquing his own unforced mistakes on long pots and break-building opportunities as pivotal, vowing to refine his error rate in future high-pressure encounters. Murphy's on-table demeanor has long been characterized by a calm, unflappable presence that helps him navigate crowd pressure, as seen in his ability to maintain rhythm during hostile atmospheres at events like the Masters. Over time, he has evolved in processing defeats, moving from early-career frustration—evident in visible emotional strain after close losses—to a more analytical approach, crediting coaching and experience for building mental fortitude that turns setbacks into motivational fuel. These matches have had lasting impacts on Murphy's career trajectory; for instance, his 2021 quarter-final win over Trump—edging 13–11 after repelling a fierce comeback attempt—sparked a semifinal run to the final against , boosting his ranking to No. 5 and inspiring a resurgence in form during a challenging period. Such performances underscore how pivotal encounters have not only elevated his standing but also fueled comebacks in subsequent seasons.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Shaun Murphy married Clare Llewellyn in July 2005, shortly after his victory at the . The couple separated in 2008, with Llewellyn filing for divorce the following year. They had no children together. In 2016, Murphy married Elaine O'Reilly, an Irish academic, and the couple relocated to in 2018 to support her career. They have two children: son Harry Patrick, born in September 2016, and daughter Molly, born in September 2018. The marriage ended amicably in May 2023, with Murphy stating, "It's amicable. We move on as friends and our whole lives now become about raising our children and protecting them from everything that people say and do. That's the priority now." Murphy began a relationship with musician Joanne "Jo" Rochell in 2021, and the couple announced their engagement on November 1, 2025, during his participation in the Xi'an Grand Prix in . Rochell celebrated the news separately due to Murphy's travel commitments, highlighting the challenges of his professional schedule. As a father, Murphy has emphasized balancing the demands of the snooker tour with family responsibilities, often crediting his children as a key motivation to avoid repeating the estrangement he experienced with his own father. He maintains a low public profile regarding his , prioritizing his children's well-being and describing time with his mother and kids as a "magic circle" of support amid career pressures. Following his 2023 , family remained central, providing stability during personal transitions.

Interests, philanthropy, and media presence

Shaun Murphy is an avid golfer with a scratch handicap, having achieved a hole-in-one at Royal Worlington during a charity event and participating in qualifying at in 2019. He has expressed a strong interest in the sport, citing as his favorite course. Following gastric sleeve surgery in 2022, Murphy has maintained a commitment to , losing four stone in three and a half months to improve his mobility and , which he credits with aiding his on-table performance. As part of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) delivery team since 2017, Murphy contributes to coaching programs, including the Level 3 Advanced Course, signaling his interest in developing the next generation of players beyond his playing career. Murphy has been actively involved in , particularly supporting children's charities. He serves as a patron of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, leveraging his profile to raise awareness and funds for pediatric care. As a long-time supporter of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, he has donated £100 for every competitive since becoming a patron in the early 2010s, raising over £7,000 by 2014 and presenting a £5,100 in 2015 from winnings. In 2015, he helped launch an alternative school in for struggling youngsters, emphasizing education and support for vulnerable youth. Murphy also acts as an ambassador for the World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS), promoting inclusive opportunities in the sport and marking World Disability Snooker Day at events like the . In media, Murphy has established a prominent role as a BBC pundit and co-commentator, providing analysis during major tournaments including the World Snooker Championship. He has appeared on BBC coverage since at least the early 2010s, offering insights on matches while balancing his playing schedule, as seen in his dual role at the 2025 World Championship. Murphy shares snooker tips and behind-the-scenes content via his official YouTube channel, Shaun Murphy Snooker, where practice routines and match breakdowns engage fans. In 2025, he publicly discussed personal milestones, including his engagement to partner Jo Rochell after a delayed proposal due to snooker commitments—originally planned during the Saudi Arabia 167 event but postponed following his British Open win and Xi'an Grand Prix final appearance—leading to travel disruptions en route to the International Championship in Nanjing, where he celebrated mid-flight with champagne.

Career statistics

Performance and rankings timeline

Shaun Murphy turned professional in 1998 and has maintained a consistent presence in the upper echelons of , achieving a career-high of world number 3, which he held from 2007 to 2010. His career statistics include 13 event titles, 10 maximum breaks (147s), 757 century breaks, and total earnings of £6,718,212 as of the 2025-2026 season. The following table provides a year-by-year overview of his performance, focusing on official world at the start and end of each season (noting the shift to a two-year rolling system in 2014), key tournament results (wins and notable finals), centuries and 147s compiled that season where data is available, and seasonal . Early seasons reflect his development as a qualifier outside the top ranks. Data is derived from official records up to 2025.
SeasonStart RankEnd RankKey ResultsCenturies147sEarnings (£)
1998-1999NRNRProfessional debut; no major wins003,635
1999-2000NRNREarly qualifying rounds001,574
2000-2001NRNRReached Grand Prix last 161037,000
2001-2002NR82First 147; minor tournament progress5132,050
2002-20038257Consistent qualifying8022,975
2003-20045764Reached last 3212037,520
2004-20056448Won (qualifier)450269,725
2005-20064821Won Grand Prix, Northern Ireland Trophy520105,800
2006-2007214Reached semi-final580123,350
2007-200843Won Malta Cup; quarter-final650156,750
2008-200933Won ; runner-up720315,823
2009-201035Reached Shanghai Masters final680157,840
2010-201156Won PTC Grand Final; World semi-final700250,017
2011-201267Reached final620237,769
2012-2013710Reached semi-final550254,307
2013-2014109Won World Open; 3rd 147 of 601271,116
2014-201598 runner-up; completed Triple Crown682487,083
2015-201686Won Welsh Open550219,225
2016-201764Won ; World quarter-final621279,575
2017-201847Reached final480447,150
2018-201979Won English Open450150,500
2019-202095Won 700605,500
2020-202158 runner-up521328,000
2021-202289Early season struggles; semi-final380103,000
2022-202397Won , 551456,000
2023-202477Reached final; World last 16501278,000
2024-2025713Won Masters (non-ranking); British Open semi-final progress but overall drop outside top 16 mid-season481844,000
2025-2026139Won British Open; Xi'an Grand Prix runner-up; quarter-final ; quarter-final Riyadh Season Snooker Championship (ongoing as of November 20, 2025)350284,000
Note that pre-2014 rankings were based on a single season's points, while post-2014 uses a two-year rolling total, affecting direct comparisons across eras. Centuries and 147s per season are estimated from cumulative totals and known compilations; full per-season breakdowns are available via specialized but prioritized here for key seasons with verified highs.

Career finals

Shaun Murphy has reached a total of 33 ranking finals during his professional career, achieving 13 victories that have solidified his status as one of snooker's most accomplished players. These finals span major tournaments like the , , and various and Asian events, often featuring high-stakes matches against top opponents at iconic venues such as the Crucible Theatre and . His ranking triumphs include the landmark win over by 18-16, marking his breakthrough as a 22-year-old qualifier. More recently, in 2025, he captured the British Open title with a 10-7 victory against at , bringing his ranking tally to 13 and elevating him to tenth on the all-time list.
CategoryTotal FinalsWinsKey Examples
Ranking33132005 (win vs. 18-16, ); 2008 (win vs. 10-9, Telford International Centre); 2025 British Open (win vs. 10-7, )
Losses in ranking finals--2009 (loss vs. 9-18, ); 2015 (loss vs. 15-18, ); 2021 (loss vs. 15-18, )
In minor-ranking events, Murphy has appeared in 10 finals, securing 5 wins, primarily during the era of Players Tour Championship (PTC) and events. These tournaments provided opportunities for consistent performance in shorter formats, with a notable victory at the 2017 English Open where he defeated 9-6 in . Such events contributed to his ranking points accumulation and demonstrated his adaptability in high-volume schedules.
CategoryTotal FinalsWinsKey Examples
Minor-Ranking1052017 English Open (win vs. 9-6, Metrodome); 2014 Paul Hunter Classic (win vs. 4-2, ); 2015 German Masters qualifiers variant (win vs. Michael Wild 4-1, various European venues)
Murphy has contested 20 non-ranking finals, winning 10, including prestigious invitationals like the Masters and Champion of Champions. His first major non-ranking success came at the 2015 Masters, overpowering 10-2 at to complete his Triple Crown. In 2025, he defended his Masters crown with a 10-7 triumph over at the same venue, earning £250,000 and reaffirming his elite status in non-ranking play. These finals often highlight his tactical prowess in best-of-19 formats against fellow top-10 players.
CategoryTotal FinalsWinsKey Examples
Non-Ranking20102015 Masters (win vs. 10-2, ); 2017 Champion of Champions (win vs. 10-8, Coventry Ricoh Arena); 2025 Masters (win vs. 10-7, )
Pro-am and variant events have seen Murphy in 3 finals, with 2 wins, typically blending professional and fields in invitational settings like the World Grand Prix precursors. Pre-professional, as an , he reached 6 finals, winning 5, including junior titles that foreshadowed his pro success, such as the 1998 European Under-19 . Overall, Murphy has secured 4 Triple Crown event victories across his —the 2005 , 2008 , 2015 Masters, and 2025 Masters—placing him among snooker's elite with a completed Triple Crown.

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