Jump to content

Shaun Murphy

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shaun Murphy
Murphy at the 2015 German Masters
Born (1982-08-10) 10 August 1982 (age 42)
Harlow, England
Sport country England
NicknameThe Magician[1]
Professional1998/1999, 2001–present
Highest ranking3 (May 2007 – May 2010)
Current ranking 7 (as of 16 December 2024)
Maximum breaks8
Century breaks687 (as of 23 December 2024)
Tournament wins
Ranking12
Minor-ranking4
World Champion2005

Shaun Peter Murphy[2] (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.

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 eleven non-ranking tournaments, including the 2015 Masters which completed his career Triple Crown.

Murphy has earned over £4 million in prize money and has compiled more than 600 century breaks, including eight maximum breaks. His highest world ranking was number three, which he maintained for three seasons following the 2007–08 season.

Early life

Born on 10 August 1982 in Harlow, England, 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

1998–2001

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[14] and one of six Young Player of Distinction of the Year awards from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.[15] 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,[16] and Stuart Bingham 9–7 in the final, recovering from 2–5 down.[17] Although he was not yet on the first-level main tour, this victory brought qualification for the Masters[17]—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.[18] He made his first maximum break in the 2001 Benson & Hedges Championship.[19]

2002–2004

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.[20] 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,[21] and the World Championship, where he lost 9–10 against Ken Doherty on the final black in the first round.[22]

For the 2003–04 season, Murphy was ranked number 64[23] and qualified for the final stages of three ranking tournaments. In the LG Cup, he defeated Steve Davis 5–4 in the second round,[24] before losing 2–5 to John Higgins in the third.[25] After the victory over Davis, Murphy said "This is one of the greatest days in my snooker career."[24] In the British Open, he defeated Dave Harold 5–1 in the first round,[26] before losing to Paul Hunter 2–5 in the second round.[27]

In the Players Championship—the new name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual champion Jimmy White in the second round.[28] 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.[29]

2004–05 season: World Champion

Murphy was ranked number 48 for the 2004–05 season[30] 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.[31] This was followed by his first ranking semi-final, at the British Open, where he was whitewashed 0–6 by John Higgins.[32][33] In the Malta Cup, he lost 2–5 to Matthew Stevens in the first round.[34]

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.[30][35] After trailing 6–10 at the end of the first day (the World Championship final is played over two days),[36] he made a comeback to level the score at 16–16. He then made two frame-winning breaks to lift the title.[37] His 11 century breaks were the most in that year's tournament.[38]

Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. His pre-tournament odds were 150–1 and before his win he was considered an underachiever.[39] 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.[33] No previous world champion had played as many matches (seven) to lift the title,[40] and he was the lowest-ranked player, at number 48, to win the tournament.[41] No player had won the World Championship as his first ranking event win since Joe Johnson in 1986.[33] 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.[42]

2005–06 season

For the new season, Murphy improved his ranking to number 21,[43] 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).[44] 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.[45]

He reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural, non-ranking Northern Ireland Trophy before being defeated 4–5 by Neil Robertson.[46] 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,[47] Robertson,[48] and Graeme Dott,[49] respectively. After his loss to Bingham, he complained about having to play his match on an outside table, given his world champion status.[47] In the revival of Pot Black, a single-frame knockout tournament not staged since 1991,[50] he was defeated in the final by Matthew Stevens.[51] Murphy was awarded Sportsman of the Year at the BBC East Midlands Sports Awards in December 2005.[52]

At the Masters, Murphy lost 4–6 to John Higgins in the quarter-finals,[53] but reached his second ranking final in the Welsh Open, losing 4–9 to Stephen Lee.[54] 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,[55] when he was defeated 7–13 by Peter Ebdon.[56]

2006–07 season

For the next season, Murphy moved to number five in the world rankings,[57] 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,[58] and in the UK Championship, he lost 3–9 to Alan McManus in the second round.[59] A 3–6 defeat by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals of the Masters[60] was followed by his second ranking title, when he defeated Ryan Day 9–4 in the final of the Malta Cup.[61] After the victory, he said it was a relief to get rid of the one-hit wonder label.[62] 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.[63] He went on to lose 3–5 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals.[64] 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[65][66]—before losing 16–17 against Mark Selby in the semi-finals.[67]

2007–08 season

For the 2007–08 season, Murphy was ranked number three, his highest-ever ranking,[68] 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.[69] He reached the final of the 2007 Pot Black tournament, where he was defeated by Ken Doherty.[70] In the Grand Prix, he reached the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan, despite an earlier 5–2 lead.[71][72] 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[73] and 5–9,[74] respectively, making it three consecutive semi-final losses. Before the UK Championship, Murphy was provisionally ranked world number one.[41][75] 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.[76] In the China Open, he defeated Mark Selby 6–3 in the semi-finals[77]—his sixth semi-final appearance in the past seven ranking events[78]—but lost 9–10 to Maguire in the final.[79]

Before the World Championship, Murphy was again provisional world number one.[80] As one of the favourites for the championship, he reached the second round where he lost 4–13 to Ali Carter.[78][81] After his loss, Murphy criticised the state of the tables.[78]

2008–09 season: UK Champion

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.[82] He won the non-ranking Paul Hunter Classic, defeating Mark Selby 4–0 in the final,[83] 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.[84] Murphy and his wife separated in October, after three years of marriage.[85]

Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed to the split from his wife[86]—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.[87][88] 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.[89][90] 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.[91] In the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day and was beaten 9–18 by Higgins.[92] On the first day of the final, a newspaper published a "kiss and tell" story involving Murphy.[93]

2009–10 season

Murphy at the 2009 Paul Hunter Classic

Murphy maintained his number three ranking for a third year in the 2009–10 season.[94] He successfully defended his Paul Hunter Classic title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.[95] 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.[96]

He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the Shanghai Masters, before losing 5–6 against Liang Wenbo.[97] 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.[98] 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."[99] He reached the quarter-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 against Mark Williams.[100] In the Welsh Open and the China Open, he lost his first-round matches to Matthew Stevens[101] and Nigel Bond,[102] 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.[103][104] 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

After three seasons ranked world number three, Murphy dropped to number seven for the 2010–11 season.[105] He won the Wuxi Classic, a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding Junhui 9–8 after recovering from 2–8 down.[106] 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.[107] Murphy won the Brugge Open, the second European event of the series, defeating Matthew Couch 4–2 in the final.[108] He then reached the final of the Ruhr Championship, but lost 2–4 against John Higgins.[109] Murphy finished first on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit,[110] but could not defend his Premier League Snooker title, as he lost 1–7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.[111] He reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship, where he lost to eventual runner-up Mark Williams 8–9.[112]

Murphy lost in the first round of the Masters 3–6 against Jamie Cope,[113] in the second round of the German Masters 2–5 against Joe Swail,[114] and in the first round of the Welsh Open 0–4 against Matthew Stevens.[115] He won his fourth ranking title in March 2011,[116] with a 4–0 victory over Martin Gould in the finals of the Players Tour Championship.[117] The following week, he also reached the final of the Championship League, but lost 1–3 against Stevens.[118] He progressed to the semi-final of the China Open, where he lost 1–6 against Trump.[119] Murphy's last tournament of the season was the World Championship, where he lost in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.[120]

2011–12 season

Murphy began the 2011–12 season ranked number seven.[121] He could not defend his Wuxi Classic title, as he lost 3–6 against Ali Carter.[122] Murphy reached the semi-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 2–6 against eventual champion Stuart Bingham.[123] At the Shanghai Masters Murphy reached the quarter-finals, but lost 4–5 against Mark Selby.[124] Murphy's next tournament was the Brazil Masters, where he defeated Graeme Dott 5–0 in the final.[125] 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.[126] Murphy then reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, but lost 3–6 against Ricky Walden.[127] 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.[128] He finished number 37 on the Order of Merit,[129][130] and could not qualify to the Finals to defend his title.[131]

Murphy reached his first Masters final,[132] but lost 6–10 against Robertson.[133] Murphy then reached the semi-finals of the next two ranking tournaments, but lost 0–6 against Stephen Maguire at the German Masters,[134] 2–6 against Ding Junhui at the Welsh Open.[135] He then lost in the quarter-finals of the World Open 0–5 against Mark Selby.[136] 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.[137][138]

2012–13 season

Murphy at the 2012 Paul Hunter Classic
Murphy at the 2013 German Masters

Murphy began the 2012–13 season ranked number six.[139] The first tournament for Murphy was the Wuxi Classic, where he lost in the first round 1–5 against Ken Doherty.[140] 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.[141] There he defeated James Wattana, Barry Hawkins, Dominic Dale and Judd Trump to reach the final, but lost 4–8 against Mark Davis.[142][143] He then reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 4–5 against Peter Ebdon.[144] 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.[145][146] 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,[147] 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.[148] He was ultimately defeated by good friend Mark Selby 6–10 in the final.[149] 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.[150] He finished number 29 on the Order of Merit,[151][152] and couldn't qualify to the Finals.[153]

Murphy began the year by reaching the semi-finals at the Masters, but lost 2–6 against Robertson.[154] He then reached the quarter-final of the German Masters, but lost 4–5 against Robertson.[155] 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.[156]

2013–14 season

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.[157] The tournament was the first to use a new format that required top-16 players to compete in qualifiers.[158]

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.[159][160]

In group two of the 2014 Championship League, he made his second official maximum break in his round-robin match against Mark Davis.[161]

In the first round of the Masters, Murphy came back from 2–4 behind to defeat Ding Junhui 6–4.[162] 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.[163] He faced defending champion Mark Selby in the semi-finals, but lost 1–6.[164]

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.[165] He went on to win the tournament, defeating Fergal O'Brien 4–1 in the final to capture his first title in 29 months.[166][167] 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.[168]

At the World Championship, Murphy defeated Jamie Cope 10–9 and Marco Fu 13–8 to reach the quarter-finals,[169] where he faced defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. Murphy was defeated 3–13 with a session to spare.[170]

2014–15 season: Masters Champion

Murphy at the 2015 German Masters

Murphy won the Bulgarian Open in October, with a 4–2 victory over Martin Gould in the final.[171] Two weeks later, he reached the final of the General Cup but lost 6–7 against Ali Carter.[172] 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.[173] 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.[174][175]

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.[176] 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.[177]

2015–16 season

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.[178] In defence of his title at the Masters, he was knocked out in the first round by Mark Allen, losing 4–6.[179] 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.[180] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy suffered a shocking first-round exit, losing 8–10 to Anthony McGill.[181]

2016–17 season

Murphy reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship but lost 2–6 to the eventual champion Mark Selby.[182] He faced another first-round exit at the Masters, this time losing heavily to Barry Hawkins 1–6.[183] 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.[184] 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.[185][186]

2017–18 season

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.[187] 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.[188] 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.[189] The pair faced each other again in the final of the UK Championship in December, but this time Murphy lost 5–10.[190]

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.[191] However, Murphy was knocked out of the tournament in the next round by Judd Trump, losing 4–6.[192] 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.[193][194] At the end of the season, Murphy suffered another shocking first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship, losing 9–10 to Jamie Jones.[195]

2018–19 season

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.[196][197] 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.[198] In January 2019, Murphy lost 2–6 to Barry Hawkins in the first round of the Masters.[199] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy whitewashed debutant Luo Honghao in the first round, winning 10–0, the joint biggest defeat in Crucible history.[200][201] But he was knocked out of the tournament by Neil Robertson in the next round, losing 6–13.[202]

2019–20 season

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.[203] 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.[204] 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.[205][206] At the UK Championship, Murphy lost 4–6 to Eden Sharav in the first round, despite taking an early lead of 3–1.[207] 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,[208][209] but he eventually lost 3–6 to Ali Carter.[210] 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.[211][212] At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy had another first round exit after losing to Noppon Saengkham 4–10.[213]

2020–21 season

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.[214] He made a quarter-final appearance at the Masters in January where he was defeated by the same scoreline by Stuart Bingham.[215]

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.[216] 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.[217][218]

2021–22 season

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."[219] He later regretted the timing of these comments and apologised to Si,[220] revealing in 2023 that he was "in a dark place" at the time of his "out of character" outburst.[221] The highlight of his season was reaching the semi-final of the 2022 Turkish Masters, where he lost 6–2 to Judd Trump.[222]

2022–23 season

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).[223] 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.[224] 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,[225] 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.[226] 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.[227]

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.[228] Si won on a deciding frame to seal a 10–9 victory.[229] 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."[230]

Rivalry

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".[231]

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.[232] 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."[233]

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 things.[99][234] Murphy also makes collective criticisms of his fellow professionals for not attending events and has branded other players' concerns over prize money as a joke.[235][236]

Playing style

Murphy is noted for his straight cue action[11]—which Steve Davis once called "the best cue action I've ever seen"[11]—his long potting,[41] and his breakbuilding.[41] Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in The Times that Murphy has improved his tactical game since his World Championship victory.[80] He has compiled more than 600 century breaks and has made seven maximum breaks. His career earnings amount to more than £3 million.[237]

Personal life

Murphy was born in Harlow and grew up in Irthlingborough. He was home-schooled from age 13 after being bullied at school,[3][11] and his parents split up when he was 14. He lived with his father Tony, a former professional golfer, and did not see his mother again until he was 19.[3][238] During the 2007 World Championship, it was reported that he had developed a rift with his father, who was a member of the World Snooker board.[239][240] He said that they had not spoken in over a year, but that he would willingly speak to his father again if the other called him.[240] In 2023, Murphy confirmed they were still estranged.[228]

Murphy moved to Rotherham during the 2004 season to be with his fiancée, Clare,[33] whom he married in July 2005.[42] Murphy's wife filed for divorce in 2009 on the grounds of infidelity after The People newspaper published an exposé revealing he had spent the night with an escort girl he had met at a religious youth group. Murphy's then manager, Brandon Parker, issued a statement confirming that Murphy had slept with the woman but denied he had been unfaithful, stating that Murphy did not have sex with her.[93][241] He also dated Claire Chorlton, who was first introduced to the viewing public backstage during the final of the 2012 UK Championship.[242]

Murphy became engaged to his girlfriend Elaine and the couple married in June 2016. They have since had a son and daughter.[243][228] The family moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 2018.[244][245]

Murphy became a Christian at the age of 15, after meeting a religious family on holiday.[11][246] Murphy is well known for his charitable nature, having spent some of the summer of 2006 doing aid work in Zimbabwe with his then wife, Clare.[247] He also donated one-tenth of his 2005 World Championship winnings to the church,[11] and at the 2012 World Snooker Championship Murphy donated £100 to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity for every century he made.[248]

He has claimed to be the only person to have achieved a maximum break in snooker, a nine-dart finish in darts and a hole in one in golf.[249]

Performance and rankings timeline

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
Ranking[250][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
Ranking tournaments
Championship League Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event 2R 2R 2R W 2R
Xi'an Grand Prix Tournament Not Held 2R
Saudi Arabia Masters Tournament Not Held SF
English Open Tournament Not Held 2R 4R 3R 4R 2R 2R 3R LQ 2R
British Open LQ A A LQ LQ 2R SF Tournament Not Held 1R LQ 1R 1R
Wuhan Open Tournament Not Held LQ QF
Northern Ireland Open Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R QF 1R QF 2R 3R QF
International Championship Tournament Not Held SF 1R 2R 3R QF 3R LQ F Not Held 1R 2R
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
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
World Open[nb 5] 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
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held NR W QF QF 1R 1R 1R DNQ SF 2R
Players Championship[nb 6] Tournament Not Held W DNQ DNQ 2R 2R SF 1R F DNQ SF DNQ DNQ W DNQ
Tour Championship Tournament Not Held DNQ QF DNQ DNQ W DNQ
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
Non-ranking tournaments
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held Ranking Event WD F Not Held 2R F
Champion of Champions Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R 1R W SF QF 1R 1R A QF 1R
World Masters of Snooker 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
Championship League Tournament Not Held SF RR RR F 2R RR SF WD A RR WD A A A A WD 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 NR
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 Not Held
Turkish Masters Tournament Not Held SF Not Held
Gibraltar Open Tournament Not Held MR W WD 3R A 3R WD 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 NH
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 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)
  6. ^ The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals (2010/2011–2012/2013) and the Players Championship Grand Final (2013/2014–2015/2016)
  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

Ranking finals: 26 (12 titles)

Legend
World Championship (1–3)
UK Championship (1–2)
Other (10–9)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2005 World Snooker Championship Wales Matthew Stevens 18–16 [251]
Runner-up 1. 2006 Welsh Open England Stephen Lee 4–9 [252]
Winner 2. 2007 Malta Cup Wales Ryan Day 9–4 [253]
Runner-up 2. 2008 China Open Scotland Stephen Maguire 9–10 [254]
Winner 3. 2008 UK Championship Hong Kong Marco Fu 10–9 [255]
Runner-up 3. 2009 World Snooker Championship Scotland John Higgins 9–18 [251]
Winner 4. 2011 Players Tour Championship Finals England Martin Gould 4–0 [256]
Runner-up 4. 2012 UK Championship England Mark Selby 6–10 [257]
Winner 5. 2014 World Open England Mark Selby 10–6 [258]
Runner-up 5. 2015 German Masters England Mark Selby 7–9 [259]
Runner-up 6. 2015 World Snooker Championship (2) England Stuart Bingham 15–18 [260]
Winner 6. 2016 World Grand Prix England Stuart Bingham 10–9 [261]
Winner 7. 2017 Gibraltar Open England Judd Trump 4–2 [262]
Runner-up 7. 2017 China Championship Belgium Luca Brecel 5–10 [263]
Runner-up 8. 2017 Paul Hunter Classic Wales Michael White 2–4 [264]
Runner-up 9. 2017 UK Championship (2) England Ronnie O'Sullivan 5–10 [265]
Runner-up 10. 2018 Players Championship England Ronnie O'Sullivan 4–10 [266]
Runner-up 11. 2018 Scottish Open Northern Ireland Mark Allen 7–9 [267]
Runner-up 12. 2019 International Championship England Judd Trump 3–10 [268]
Winner 8. 2019 China Championship Wales Mark Williams 10–9 [269]
Winner 9. 2020 Welsh Open England Kyren Wilson 9–1 [270]
Runner-up 13. 2021 World Snooker Championship (3) England Mark Selby 15–18 [271]
Runner-up 14. 2023 Welsh Open (2) England Robert Milkins 7–9 [272]
Winner 10. 2023 Players Championship England Ali Carter 10–4 [273]
Winner 11. 2023 Tour Championship England Kyren Wilson 10–7 [274]
Winner 12. 2023 Championship League Wales Mark Williams 3–0 [275]

Minor-ranking finals: 6 (4 titles)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2010 Brugge Open England Matthew Couch 4–2 [256]
Runner-up 1. 2010 Ruhr Championship Scotland John Higgins 2–4 [256]
Winner 2. 2014 Gdynia Open Republic of Ireland Fergal O'Brien 4–1 [166]
Winner 3. 2014 Bulgarian Open England Martin Gould 4–2 [171]
Winner 4. 2014 Ruhr Open England Robert Milkins 4–0 [173]
Runner-up 2. 2015 Paul Hunter Classic England Ali Carter 3–4 [276]

Non-ranking finals: 23 (11 titles)

Legend
The Masters (1–1)
Champion of Champions (1–0)
Premier League (1–1)
Other (8–10)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1998 UK Tour – Event 4 Northern Ireland Patrick Wallace 4–6 [277]
Winner 1. 2000 Benson & Hedges Championship England Stuart Bingham 9–7 [278]
Winner 2. 2001 Challenge Tour – Event 3 England Andrew Norman 6–3 [277]
Winner 3. 2001 Challenge Tour – Event 4 England Luke Simmonds 6–2 [277]
Runner-up 2. 2001 WPBSA Open Tour – Event 1 England Mark Gray 2–5 [279]
Runner-up 3. 2005 Pot Black Wales Matthew Stevens 0–1 [280]
Runner-up 4. 2007 Pot Black (2) Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty 0–1 [280]
Winner 4. 2008 Malta Cup Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty 9–3 [253]
Runner-up 5. 2008 World Series of Snooker Berlin Scotland Graeme Dott 1–6 [281]
Winner 5. 2009 World Series of Snooker Grand Final Scotland John Higgins 6–2 [282]
Winner 6. 2009 World Series of Snooker Killarney England Jimmy White 5–1 [283]
Winner 7. 2009 Premier League England Ronnie O'Sullivan 7–3 [284]
Winner 8. 2010 Wuxi Classic China Ding Junhui 9–8 [254]
Runner-up 6. 2010 Premier League England Ronnie O'Sullivan 1–7 [284]
Runner-up 7. 2011 Championship League Wales Matthew Stevens 1–3 [284]
Winner 9. 2011 Brazil Masters Scotland Graeme Dott 5–0 [125]
Runner-up 8. 2012 The Masters Australia Neil Robertson 6–10 [133]
Runner-up 9. 2012 Six-red World Championship England Mark Davis 4–8 [143]
Runner-up 10. 2014 General Cup England Ali Carter 6–7 [172]
Winner 10. 2015 The Masters Australia Neil Robertson 10–2 [174]
Winner 11. 2017 Champion of Champions England Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–8 [285]
Runner-up 11. 2019 Shanghai Masters England Ronnie O'Sullivan 9–11 [204]
Runner-up 12. 2024 Shanghai Masters (2) England Judd Trump 5–11

Pro-am finals: 3 (2 titles)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1999 Hannover International Masters England Matthew Couch 5–6 [286]
Winner 1. 2008 Paul Hunter Classic England Mark Selby 4–0 [287]
Winner 2. 2009 Paul Hunter Classic (2) England Jimmy White 4–0 [287]

Amateur finals: 6 (5 titles)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1995 UK Under-15 Championship England Lee Spick 3–2 [288]
Winner 2. 1996 English Under-15 Championship England Stuart Roper 4–2 [289]
Winner 3. 1996 UK Under-15 Championship (2) England Ricky Walden 3–2 [290]
Winner 4. 1997 UK Under-15 Championship (3) Wales Ian Preece 3–0 [291]
Runner-up 1. 1998 English Under-21 Championship England Robert Donkin 1–6 [289]
Winner 5. 2000 English Open England Brian Salmon 8–1 [289]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shaun Murphy". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Shaun Peter MURPHY – Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". Companies House. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Mott, Sue (10 May 2005). "Murphy earns big break". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Shaun Murphy – Did you know...?". BBC Sport. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  5. ^ Weaver, Paul (4 May 2005). "Murphy puts Rushden in frame". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Everton, Clive (4 February 2001). "Murphy's got the right stuff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  7. ^ Shea, Julian (3 May 2005). "Murphy's rise to the world summit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2010. For the interview, see "Interview: Thirteen-year-old Shaun Murphy on his aspirations for his career in snooker".
  8. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (30 April 2005). "Who is Shaun Murphy?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  9. ^ a b Yates, Phil (5 February 2007). "Forgotten man Murphy relishing his long-awaited second coming". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Murphy Regains Magic Touch". World Snooker. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Kidd, Patrick (15 April 2006). "Murphy seeks win and a prayer after taking cue from his faith". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Shaun Murphy – Season 1997/1998". Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  13. ^ "WPBSA Secondary Professional Tour". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  14. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (30 April 2005). "Who is Shaun Murphy?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  15. ^ Everton, Clive (18 November 2000). "Young guns fall by the wayside". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  16. ^ "Murphy too strong for Davis". BBC Sport. 15 November 2000. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  17. ^ a b "Murphy battles to claim crown". BBC Sport. 17 November 2000. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  18. ^ "Hendry tames Murphy". BBC Sport. 5 February 2001. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Shaun Murphy profile". World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  20. ^ "Hendry eases into second round". BBC Sport. 22 April 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  21. ^ "Regal Scottish Open 2003". snooker.org. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  22. ^ Harlow, Phil (31 December 2003). "Unsung heroes of the year". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  23. ^ "Embassy World Rankings 2003/2004". snooker.org. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  24. ^ a b "Murphy stuns Davis". BBC Sport. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  25. ^ "Stevens stuns O'Sullivan". BBC Sport. 9 October 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  26. ^ "Parrott falls at the first". BBC Sport. 9 November 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  27. ^ "O'Sullivan returns to form". BBC Sport. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  28. ^ "Daily Record Players Championship 2004". snooker.org. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  29. ^ "Pettman angry after victory". BBC Sport. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  30. ^ a b "Embassy World Rankings 2004/2005". snooker.org. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  31. ^ "totesport Grand Prix 2004". snooker.org. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  32. ^ "British Open draw". BBC Sport. 13 November 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  33. ^ a b c d Yates, Phil (4 May 2005). "Murphy gives warning of shape of things to come". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  34. ^ "Malta Cup 2005". snooker.org. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  35. ^ "World Snooker draw and results". BBC Sport. 2 May 2005. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  36. ^ Everton, Clive (2 May 2005). "Stevens takes control as Murphy stutters". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  37. ^ Weaver, Paul (3 May 2005). "Murphy pots back to claim his crown". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  38. ^ "Crucible century breaks". BBC Sport. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  39. ^ Yates, Phil (7 October 2005). "Ruthless Murphy enjoys going from David to Goliath". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  40. ^ Yates, Phil (3 May 2005). "Murphy savours his long road to glory". The Times. London. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  41. ^ a b c d "UK Championship 2007: Shaun Murphy". BBC Sport. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  42. ^ a b Townsend, Nick (16 April 2006). "Snooker: Emotional year for long journey man". The Independent. London, UK. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  43. ^ "Embassy World Rankings 2005/2006". snooker.org. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  44. ^ Harris, Nick (4 May 2005). "Snooker: Murphy starts new journey as old era goes up in smoke". The Independent. London, UK. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  45. ^ "2005 (Winter) Results". Premier League Snooker. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  46. ^ "Robertson comeback sinks Murphy". BBC Sport. 19 August 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  47. ^ a b Everton, Clive (14 October 2005). "Murphy blasts outside table after losing to Bingham". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  48. ^ "Vintage Davis into quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 14 December 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  49. ^ "Higgins overcomes illness to win". BBC Sport. 2 February 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  50. ^ "Pot Black returns". BBC Sport. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  51. ^ "Stevens wins Pot Black comeback". BBC Sport. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  52. ^ "County triumphs at Sports' Awards". BBC Northamptonshire. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  53. ^ "Higgins sinks Murphy at Wembley". BBC Sport. 20 January 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  54. ^ "Lee eases to Welsh Open victory". BBC Sport. 5 March 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  55. ^ Dee, John (15 April 2006). "Snooker: Murphy aiming to exorcise the Crucible curse". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  56. ^ "Full World Championship results". BBC Sport. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  57. ^ "Embassy World Rankings 2006/2007". snooker.org. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  58. ^ "Speedy O'Sullivan into last four". BBC Sport. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  59. ^ "UK Championship draw & results". BBC Sport. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  60. ^ "2007 Masters Draw". BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  61. ^ "2007 Malta Cup Draw". BBC Sport. 27 January 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  62. ^ "Murphy cruises to Malta victory". BBC Sport. 4 February 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  63. ^ "Magic Murphy sets century record". BBC Sport. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  64. ^ "O'Sullivan suffers Welsh defeat". BBC Sport. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  65. ^ "Murphy fightback shocks Stevens". BBC Sport. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  66. ^ "Stevens dazed by Crucible defeat". BBC Sport. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  67. ^ "Selby pips Murphy to reach final". BBC Sport. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  68. ^ "Embassy World Rankings 2007/2008". snooker.org (Snooker.org). Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  69. ^ "Roewe Shanghai Masters 2007". snooker.org. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  70. ^ "Doherty secures Pot Black title". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  71. ^ "Royal London Watches Grand Prix 2007". snooker.org. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  72. ^ "Fu sets up O'Sullivan final clash". BBC Sport. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  73. ^ "Maguire faces O'Brien in NI final". BBC Sport. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  74. ^ "Superb Maguire claims final spot". BBC Sport. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  75. ^ Everton, Clive (15 December 2007). "Maguire wins grudge match". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  76. ^ "Murphy thrashes Doherty in final". BBC Sport. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  77. ^ "Maguire sinks 147 to reach final". BBC Sport. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  78. ^ a b c "Super Carter breezes past Murphy". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  79. ^ "Maguire holds nerve for China win". BBC Sport. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  80. ^ a b Yates, Phil (19 April 2008). "Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to prove age is no barrier". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  81. ^ "World Championship draw". BBC Sport. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  82. ^ "World Rankings 2008/2009". snooker.org. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  83. ^ "Paul Hunter Classic History". global-snooker.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  84. ^ Everton, Clive (10 November 2008). "Murphy's season goes from bad to worse with Bahrain defeat". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  85. ^ "Snooker star Shaun 'separates from wife'". northamptonchron.co.uk. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2020.[permanent dead link]
  86. ^ Yates, Phil (19 December 2008). "Shaun Murphy's luck changes as he puts himself back in frame". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  87. ^ Everton, Clive (22 December 2008). "Murphy rides luck to snatch UK title with fluke pink in last frame". Guardian.co.uk. London, UK. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  88. ^ Yates, Phil (22 December 2008). "Shaun Murphy finally edges fighting Marco Fu". The Times. London. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  89. ^ "Murphy overcomes health and wife fears to set up Fu showdown". The Guardian. London, UK. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  90. ^ Pitt, Nick (3 May 2009). "Shaun Murphy goes distance to reach final". The Times. London. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  91. ^ "World Snooker 2009". BBC Sport. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  92. ^ Ashenden, Mark (4 May 2010). "Higgins earns third world crown". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  93. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (3 May 2009). "Snooker Hero Murphy and £100 an hour escort". The People. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010.
  94. ^ "World Rankings 2009/2010". snooker.org (Snooker.org). Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  95. ^ "Murphy retains Paul Hunter Classic title". globalsnooker.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  96. ^ "Murphy ends Ronnie's reign". Sky Sports. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  97. ^ "Shanghai Masters results". BBC Sport. 13 September 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  98. ^ "UK Championship 2009 – full results". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  99. ^ a b Everton, Clive (9 December 2009). "Snooker told to limit loo breaks". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  100. ^ "Masters snooker final – Frame scores from Wembley". BBC Sport. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  101. ^ Everton, Clive (26 January 2010). "Matthew Stevens surprises Newport with win over Shaun Murphy". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  102. ^ "China Open draw and results". BBC Sport. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  103. ^ "World Championship results". BBC News. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  104. ^ "Graeme Dott and Ali Carter make world semi-finals". BBC Sport. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  105. ^ "World Rankings (from 2010/11)". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  106. ^ "Murphy comeback stuns Ding". Sky Sports. 6 June 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  107. ^ "Euro Players Tour Championship 1". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  108. ^ "Murphy Enjoys Comfortable Couch Victory". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  109. ^ "Euro Players Tour Championship 5". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  110. ^ "2010/2011 PTC Order of Merit". Snooker.org. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  111. ^ "2010 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker Play-offs". premierleaguesnooker.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  112. ^ "2010 12BET.com UK Championship". Snooker.org. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  113. ^ "2011 Masters". Snooker.org. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  114. ^ "2011 German Masters". Snooker.org. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  115. ^ "2011 Welsh Open". Snooker.org. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  116. ^ "Shaun Murphy wins the PTC Grand Final". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  117. ^ "PTC 2010/2011 Finals". Snooker.org. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  118. ^ "2011 CLS – Winners Group results". premierleaguesnooker.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  119. ^ "China Open (2011)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  120. ^ "2011 Betfred.com World Championship". Snooker.org. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  121. ^ "Rankings after 2011 World Championship" (PDF). worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  122. ^ "Selby holds off Ding to set up Carter final". Eurosport Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  123. ^ "2011 Australian Goldfields Open Main Draw". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  124. ^ "2011 Shanghai Masters Draw". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  125. ^ a b "Brazil Masters (2011)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  126. ^ "Premier League (2011)". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  127. ^ "UK Championship (2011)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  128. ^ "Shaun Murphy 2011/2012 stats". Snooker.org. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  129. ^ "PTC Order of Merit after PTC12" (PDF). worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  130. ^ "Order of Merit". Snooker.org. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  131. ^ "Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 Entry Pack for Event 11 and 12" (PDF). worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  132. ^ "Three Tons Help Murphy Stun Higgins". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  133. ^ a b "Masters (2012)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  134. ^ "2012 PartyPoker.net German Masters results". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  135. ^ "2012 Welsh Open draw and format". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  136. ^ "2012 World Open scores and schedule". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  137. ^ "2012 China Open results". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  138. ^ "2012 Betfred.com World Championship Draw". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  139. ^ "Rankings after 2012 World Championship" (PDF). World Snooker. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  140. ^ "Wuxi Classic (2012)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  141. ^ "Six Red World Championship 2012 Group Tables" (PDF). Billiards Sports Association of Thailand. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  142. ^ "2012 Sangsom 6 Red World Championship knockout draw" (PDF). Billiards Sports Association of Thailand. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  143. ^ a b "SangSom 6 Red World Championship (2012)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  144. ^ "Australian Goldfields Open 2012 draw". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  145. ^ "Shanghai Masters 2012: schedule and results". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  146. ^ "International Championship 2012: schedule and results". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  147. ^ "UK Snooker Championship 2012: Luca Brecel pipped by Murphy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  148. ^ Hafez, Shamoon. "UK Snooker Championship 2012: Shaun Murphy beats Ali Carter". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  149. ^ Hafez, Shamoon. "UK Snooker Championship 2012: Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  150. ^ "Shaun Murphy 2012/2013 stats". Snooker.org. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  151. ^ "Order of Merit issued after Munich Open 2013 (ET6)" (PDF). worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  152. ^ "Order of Merit 2012/2013". Snooker.org. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  153. ^ "Betfair European Open 2012/2013 Entry pack for the Munich Open (ET6)" (PDF). worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  154. ^ "The Masters 2013: schedule and results". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  155. ^ "German Masters 2013: Schedule and results from Berlin". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  156. ^ Dirs, Ben (1 May 2013). "Trump wins Murphy thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  157. ^ "Murphy Misses Out on Wuxi". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  158. ^ "Shaun Murphy fails to qualify for season-opening major". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  159. ^ "Snooker – Lights go out on faulty Ding as Murphy seals Masters win". Eurosport. 14 January 2014.
  160. ^ "Masters snooker 2014: Shaun Murphy opts for healthier diet". BBC Sport. 9 January 2014.
  161. ^ "Murphy 147 / Robertson Centuries Record". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  162. ^ "Shaun Murphy stuns Ding Junhui with fightback victory at the Masters". London24. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
  163. ^ "Masters Snooker: Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy dig deep at Alexandra Palace". Sky Sports. 16 January 2014.
  164. ^ "Champ Mark Selby thumps Shaun Murphy to book Masters final". London24. 18 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
  165. ^ "Murphy makes maximum 147 en route to title". ESPN. 10 February 2014.
  166. ^ a b "Shaun Murphy makes maximum break on way to Gdynia Open win". BBC Sport. 10 February 2014.
  167. ^ "Murphy ends trophy drought". SportingLife. 9 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  168. ^ "Shaun Murphy holds off Mark Selby to win Haikou World Open". BBC Sport. 16 March 2014.
  169. ^ "World Snooker Championship 2014: Scores and results". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  170. ^ "Ronnie O'Sullivan eases into World Snooker semi-finals". BBC Sport. 30 April 2014.
  171. ^ a b "Murphy Storms To Bulgaria Title". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  172. ^ a b "General Cup (2014)". Snooker.org. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  173. ^ a b "Murphy Wins in Mulheim – And Makes 147". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  174. ^ a b "Masters 2015 final: Shaun Murphy thrashes Neil Robertson". BBC Sport. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  175. ^ "Shaun Murphy seals Triple Crown with Masters hammering of Neil Robertson". Guardian. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  176. ^ "World Snooker Championship 2015: Scores and results". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  177. ^ Hafeez, Shamoon (4 May 2015). "World Snooker Championship: Bingham beats Murphy 18–15". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  178. ^ "Fu must dislike me, jokes Murphy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  179. ^ "Murphy forfeits frame in Masters loss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  180. ^ "Shaun Murphy beats Stuart Bingham 10-9 to win World Grand Prix title". The Guardian. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  181. ^ "Former champion Murphy shocked by McGill at snooker worlds - Sports - Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  182. ^ "Selby defeats Murphy in thrilling semi-final". BBC Sport. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  183. ^ "Hawk Soars To Murphy Win". World Snooker. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  184. ^ "Gibraltar Open 2017: Murphy beats Trump in final". www.sportinglife.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  185. ^ "Murphy edges past Bingtao - best five shots". BBC Sport. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  186. ^ Short, Joe (22 April 2017). "World Snooker Championship 2017: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats rival Shaun Murphy". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  187. ^ "Brecel beats Murphy in China final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  188. ^ "White beats Murphy in Paul Hunter Classic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  189. ^ "Shaun Murphy Stuns Ronnie O'Sullivan To Win Champion Of Champions Title". The Sportsman. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  190. ^ "Ronnie O'Sullivan demolishes Shaun Murphy to seal UK Championship title". The Guardian. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  191. ^ Wilson, Andy (17 January 2018). "Masters snooker: Ali Carter reveals how Shaun Murphy beat him". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  192. ^ "Trump moves into Masters semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  193. ^ "Ronnie O'Sullivan wins Players' Championship but again criticises 'numpties'". The Guardian. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  194. ^ Gibbs, Dan (26 March 2018). "Players Championship 2018 final: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy 10-4". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  195. ^ "Youth key to my world title win - Murphy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  196. ^ "Murphy stunned by world number 124". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  197. ^ "China's Chen Feilong shocks Murphy to reach 2nd round at UK Championship - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  198. ^ "Allen beats Murphy to win Scottish Open". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  199. ^ "Hawkins too strong for Murphy at Masters - best shots". BBC Sport. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  200. ^ "Luo Honghao suffers heaviest Crucible defeat of all time as Shaun Murphy enjoys 10-0 whitewash". Eurosport UK. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  201. ^ "Murphy beats Honghao in record-equalling whitewash - best shots". BBC Sport. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  202. ^ "Robertson thrashes Murphy in last 16". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  203. ^ "Snooker news - Judd Trump demolishes Shaun Murphy to win International Championship". Eurosport UK. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  204. ^ a b "O'Sullivan retains Shanghai Masters crown". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  205. ^ "Murphy holds off Williams in China". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  206. ^ "Snooker news - Murphy stages brilliant comeback to win China Championship against Williams". Eurosport. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  207. ^ "Shaun Murphy Loses to Eden Sharav". SnookerHQ. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  208. ^ "Defending champion Trump out of Masters". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  209. ^ "Murphy Reaches Masters Semis". World Snooker. 16 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  210. ^ "Dafabet Masters: Ali Carter beats Shaun Murphy to reach final". www.sportinglife.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  211. ^ "Welsh Open Snooker final report and reaction: Shaun Murphy beats Kyren Wilson 9-1". www.sportinglife.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  212. ^ "Murphy beats Wilson to win Welsh Open". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  213. ^ Media, P. A.; sport, Guardian (4 August 2020). "Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy crash out of world championship on day of shocks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  214. ^ "Mark Selby and Martin Gould to meet in European Masters final". Eurosport UK. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  215. ^ "Masters snooker 2021: Full tournament results and highest break". BBC Sport. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  216. ^ "Welsh Open Snooker: Stephen Maguire beats Shaun Murphy as Ali Carter withdraws". Sporting Life. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  217. ^ Bower, Aaron (3 May 2021). "Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy to win fourth World Snooker Championship". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  218. ^ "World Snooker Championship 2021: Tournament results, highest break and prize money". BBC Sport. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  219. ^ "'It is not fair': Murphy rails at amateurs in pro snooker … after defeat by amateur". The Guardian. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  220. ^ "UK Championship 2021: Shaun Murphy apologises to opponent Si Jiahui over amateur rant following shock loss". Eurosport. 28 November 2021.
  221. ^ "'I was in constant pain and hating myself' – Shaun Murphy recalls dark time that led to Si Jiahui outburst". Metro. 19 April 2023.
  222. ^ "Turkish Masters 2022 - Judd Trump fights past Shaun Murphy to set up final showdown against Matthew Selt". Eurosport. 13 March 2022.
  223. ^ "Snooker star Shaun Murphy undergoes weight loss surgery after 'fat-shaming' on social media". The Independent. 18 August 2022.
  224. ^ "UK Championship 2022 snooker – Jack Lisowski beats Shaun Murphy after Ding Junhui's thrashing of Ronnie O'Sullivan". Eurosport. 18 November 2022.
  225. ^ "Snooker results: Robert Milkins beats Shaun Murphy 9-7 in Welsh Open final". Sporting Life. 19 February 2023.
  226. ^ "Players Championship 2023: Shaun Murphy dominates Ali Carter to take first title in three years". Eurosport. 27 February 2023.
  227. ^ "Snooker scores: Shaun Murphy beats Kyren Wilson 10-7 in Tour Championship final". Sporting Life. 2 April 2023.
  228. ^ a b c "Shaun Murphy: 'What would I do without snooker? It's my drug'". The Guardian. 17 April 2023.
  229. ^ "Snooker results: Shaun Murphy beaten again by Si Jiahui in Crucible shock". Sporting Life. UK. 20 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023.
  230. ^ "Sensational Si Shocks Murphy". World Snooker. 20 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  231. ^ "Williams crashes out". BBC Sport. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  232. ^ Dalgliesh, Martin (19 December 2008). "Prepare for fireworks as Murphy and Maguire go to war". William Hill. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  233. ^ "Higginson Revelling in Spotlight". Sporting Life. 17 February 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  234. ^ Baxter, Trevor (23 April 2006). "Murphy tables no complaints". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  235. ^ "No freebies here: Shaun Murphy slams players over prize money criticism". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  236. ^ Nunns, Hector (5 July 2013). "Shaun Murphy hits out at rivals over Australian Open snub". The Times. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  237. ^ Kane, Desmond (18 January 2020). "Murphy on bullying - I was beaten physically and mentally for chasing my dream". Eurosport. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  238. ^ Simon, Jane (30 June 1996). "The amazing stories of four boys tipped to become the main men of the next century". The People. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  239. ^ "Champ's anguish at rift with dad". Sheffield Star. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  240. ^ a b "Murphy fightback shocks Stevens". BBC Sport. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  241. ^ Harris, Nick (4 May 2009). "Snooker: Murphy shows the strain on a day to forget". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010.
  242. ^ "Shaun Murphy's Celine Dion secret". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  243. ^ Bowles, Tom (29 December 2016). "Shaun Murphy on becoming a dad, snooker and what he's learned from Danny Willett". Betway. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  244. ^ "Murphy back to his best ahead of English Open after reaching 'very dark place'". Metro. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  245. ^ Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby set up thrilling Crucible decider Retrieved 2/5/21.
  246. ^ "Snooker Champion Shares His Faith". independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  247. ^ Yates, Phil (22 December 2008). "The Crucible contenders". The Times. London, UK. Retrieved 28 August 2010.[dead link]
  248. ^ Gordon, Zan. "Shaun Murphy helps raising funds for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity". Blogs.bettor.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  249. ^ "'It's a club of one' - Shaun Murphy says he is only person to achieve 147, nine-darter and hole in one". www.eurosport.com. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  250. ^ "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  251. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "World Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  252. ^ Turner, Chris. "Welsh Open". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  253. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "Malta Grand Prix, Malta Cup". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  254. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "Major Snooker Events in China". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  255. ^ Turner, Chris. "UK Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  256. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "PTC". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  257. ^ "UK Championship scores and schedule". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  258. ^ "Haikou World Open 2014 draw & results" (PDF). World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  259. ^ "Selby Takes German Glory". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  260. ^ "World Snooker Championship: Bingham beats Murphy 18–15". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  261. ^ "World Grand Prix: Shaun Murphy beats Stuart Bingham". BBC Sport. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  262. ^ "Gibraltar Open 2017: Murphy beats Trump in final". 5 March 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  263. ^ "China Championship: Luca Brecel beats Shaun Murphy for first ranking title". BBC Sport. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  264. ^ "Paul Hunter Classic 2017: Michael White beats Shaun Murphy in final". BBC Sport. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  265. ^ "UK Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy in final". BBC Sport. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  266. ^ "O'Sullivan Beats Murphy To Equal Titles Record". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  267. ^ "Mark Allen beats Shaun Murphy 9–7 in Scottish Open final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  268. ^ "Sublime Trump Claims International Title". World Snooker. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  269. ^ "Murphy Beats Williams To End Ranking Drought". World Snooker. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  270. ^ "Shaun Murphy Seals Welsh Open Title". Snookerhq.com. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  271. ^ "Selby Lands Fourth Crucible Crown". World Snooker Tour. 3 May 2021. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021.
  272. ^ "Welsh Open: Robert Milkins defeats Shaun Murphy in final". BBC. 19 February 2023.
  273. ^ "Magician Back In Winners' Circle". World Snooker Tour. 26 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023.
  274. ^ "Tour Triumph For Magnificent Murphy". World Snooker Tour. 2 April 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023.
  275. ^ "Murphy Takes Season Opener". World Snooker Tour. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023.
  276. ^ "Ali Carter wins first title since cancer all-clear". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  277. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "UK Tour, Challenge Tour". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  278. ^ Turner, Chris. "Benson & Hedges Championship, Masters Qualifying Tournament". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  279. ^ Hayton, Eric (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker. Suffolk: Rose Villa Publications. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-9548549-0-4.
  280. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "Pot Black, Junior Pot Black". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukl. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  281. ^ "Hunger inspired Graeme Dott's World Series win". Daily Record. Glasgow: Trinity Mirror. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  282. ^ "Snooker: Murphy wins in Algarve". Record (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Cofina. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  283. ^ "Shaun Murphy Crowned 2009 Sportingbet.com Champion". RB All Sports. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  284. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "Premier / Matchroom League". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  285. ^ "Champion of Champions: Shaun Murphy beats Ronnie O'Sullivan in final". BBC Sport. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  286. ^ "Karl and Sean Open accounts". Grimsby Daily Telegraph. 9 September 1999. p. 36.
  287. ^ a b "Paul Hunter Classic History". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  288. ^ "Murphy is a marvel". Wellingborough & Rushden Herald & Post. 27 April 1995. p. 64.
  289. ^ a b c "Country Page - England". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  290. ^ "Super Shaun defends UK crown". Northampton Chronicle and Echo. 16 April 1996. p. 42.
  291. ^ "Shaun in class of his own". Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. 8 April 1997. p. 30.