Murphy raring to go for the new season
“It might still be June, but our season is set to get underway and tomorrow I fly off for a three-week stint that will see me competing in China, Thailand and Australia.
I’m going out mentally very fresh as I’ve tried something completely different this year in that I’ve given myself more down time than previous summers. In fact, apart from one exhibition in Middlesbrough, I’ve not played at all.
Suffice to say my golf game is in really good shape! The team I was part of at the World Snooker Golf Day at Collingtree Park on Tuesday came first – so it was nice to win that event.
My first round match isn’t until next Wednesday when I’ll either play Ken Doherty or a wildcard entry. But we have a PR Day to do before the tournament starts. It’s right and proper that we turn out for that and also, by flying out early it gives me a chance to get used to the time difference.
I’ve fond memories of the The Wuxi Classic as I won it in 2010 when it was an invitational. With snooker booming in China, it is now a ranking tournament and another great opportunity for us to go out there and further the sport.
I’m really looking forward to going – the venue is a purpose-built snooker arena, it’s amazing. The crowds really turn out for the big names and Chinese players – especially Ding Junhui as it’s his hometown.
After China, it’s the World Six Reds Championship in Thaliland and then onto Australia for the Goldfields Open. So. it’s a long three weeks on tour at the start of the season, but I feel fresh and I’m raring to go.”
Shaun Murphy
