Today is the 14th anniversary of Shaun Murphy’s debut as a professional snooker player which was just a few weeks before his 16th birthday, Shaun’s debut match was in the first qualifying round of the Grand Prix at Plymouth pavilions, he lost to Dermot McGlinchey 5-2.

Shaun Murphy

Amazingly Shaun’s first major ranking title win was The Embassy World Snooker Championships in 2005 where he beat 3 former World Champions in the run to the final (Peter Ebdon, John Higgins & Steve Davis) where me played Welsh snooker player Matthew Stevens, he won the final 18-16 which he was initially trailing 6-10.

Other major title Wins for Murphy include the Malta Cup, The UK Championships, The Players Tour Championship, The Wuxi Classic and most recently the Brazilian Masters.

They are Shaun “What has been your best moment so far as a professional snooker player?”

So far, I’d have to say winning the world Championships seven years ago.   There’s been many good moments but my best is definitely that one.

We also asked Shaun out of all the titles he has not yet achieved which would be the one he would like to win the most.

Well I’m yet to win The Masters so I’d like to add that to my collection and joining a very small group of players to have won all three majors.  After that, I always give 100% in every event I enter.

The video below highlights Shaun’s title wins over the past 14years.

VIDEO COMING SOON
After fighting with my computer all day to render a simple video of Shaun’s career wins and it fast approaching midnight I have published this article for now and will post up the video once it is ready. 

Shaun a devout Christian since his late teens donates 10% of his winnings to the church, he helps The Paul Hunter Foundation and has even participated with aid work in Zimbabwe.  Here is a article about Shaun helping out in prison and he has even coached football players.

Shaun Murphy

There is not much wrong in Murphy’s game, he has focus, dedication and even Steve Davis has been quoted saying “He has the best cue action I’ve ever seen” if you were writing a coaching manual on how to play the game you could base it on Murphy’s style but when things are going wrong it is quite present in his demeanour around the table and a match win for his opponent can be called very early on when this happens.

Murphy’s best Snooker has been played over the past 5 years and this has shown in the number of finals he has appeared in, in all it has been a productive 14 year career which any professional player would be proud of, let us hope that he has another great 14 years ahead, I for one love watching Shaun play, he gets on with the game, plays to the book and is a true master of the sport.

“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

Hi everyone, it’s with great regret that I have to tell you that I won’t be running in the Sheffield half-marathon on Sunday, May 27 as a result of an injury.

In training, I’ve developed a foot problem that is requiring anti-inflammatories. The injury has meant I’ve not been able to prepare properly.

For my first half-marathon, it was key for me to have clocked up enough miles beforehand to really build up my fitness. Unfortunately, this just hasn’t been possible with the foot injury and, as such, I have no alternative but to pull out of the race.

That said, I will be there on the day supporting fellow snooker player Steve Davis in the race – and, if my foot allows, I am planning to get involved in the Fun Run.

I am aware that some people have been kind enough to sponsor me for the race which I was due to run on behalf of the Paul Hunter Foundation. My hope is that those folk who have already pledged will transfer their support to Steve, who is running for the same brilliant cause. If this is a problem with anyone, please emailchris.lovell@nltg.co.uk (with proof of pledge) at the Paul Hunter Foundation.

I do hope to see some of you at Sheffield on May 27 – and one year, injuries permitting, I definitely intend to be in that race, rain or shine.

Shaun

Hi everyone and first of all, a big thanks to everyone for their support during the Masters. The messages I got here on the website, through your emails and tweets meant a lot to me.

All in all, it was a fantastic week both on and off the table – the only thing that was wrong with it was the result in the final! But to come second to a fantastic player like Neil Robertson is no disgrace and he was a worthy winner.

To be honest, if you’d said to me at the start of the week that I would come runner-up in an event that I’ve not traditionally done well in, I’d have probably taken it.

It’s busy, busy, busy from now on until the end of the season and to know that my game is in good shape gives me a lot of confidence going into the upcoming German Masters and Welsh Open etc.

From a snooker perspective, the best thing about last week was that all the good things I’ve been practising really started to come through in tournament play. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully give myself more chances to do well.

Before those tournaments, we’ve got the Shoot-out in Blackpool this weekend. In fact, this afternoon, Nigel Bond and I have been doing a bit of promotional work at a snooker club in Blackpool, both for the event and the Paul Hunter Foundation.

I’m playing Fergal O’Brien in my first-round match on Saturday, but will be eagerly watching on Friday night when the tournament gets underway. The form book doesn’t really count for this event as just about anything can happen in these 10-minute frames.

Last year was the first Shoot-out and I didn’t hear a single bit of criticism from the players. I lost out in the first round to Rory McLeod but went home and watched the whole event – just like pretty much everyone else did. It was great fun and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it this weekend.

MAINLY practice tonight as I prepare for tomorrow night’s quarter-final with Mark Selby.

Mark Selby

It’s a big match and will be difficult on a number of levels. For a start, he’s the World No.1, a two-time Masters winner and a great all-round player.

But he’s also one of my best friends, which presents its own set of challenges. We have shared so much time together away from snooker and even been to each other’s family events. But tomorrow night from when we shake hands just before the start of the match, I will be doing everything I can to beat Mark.

Afterwards, though – win lose or draw – we will have a drink together and carry on being friends. I’m really looking forward to playing, am confident in my own game and feel well prepared. I’m comfortable and in good spirits, so I can’t ask for any more.

There’s a proper buzz around the tournament and I overcame a little bit of early nerves that I felt in my first match with Martin Gould. I made a slow start, probably because I wanted to win so much and put more pressure on myself than I needed to. I had a lot of respect for Martin and the way he plays.

He won the first and if he hadn’t missed a key green in the second it would have been a completely different match.

Once, I’d settled then I started to enjoy it – and that can make me quite dangerous. I was pleased with how I scored and – like at Crondon – I got some rewards for the practice I’ve been putting in over recent months. Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come.

Away from the table, we’ve got an apartment here that is within walking distance of Ally Pally. With a few days in between matches, we’d thought about going home – but I’m glad I didn’t as I’ve really been enjoying myself.

Yesterday, I went to Mercedes Benz World in Surrey and it was a fantastic experience. Last night, I met up with a good friend and went to the theatre – the Garrick – to watch Chicago, which I love.

So, I just had a great day. In fact, I’m having a great week – let’s hope I can keep it going into the weekend!

Shaun

www.ShaunMurphy.net

IT’S The Masters next week and I can’t wait to get there after four good days at Crondon Park. It was very nice to win Group 2 yesterday and the Championship League has given me a great preparation for Ally Pally.

I will certainly go there pleased with the state of my game, knowing that it’s in good shape. It’s easy to get over-bullish but my results suggest that I am playing well and I’ve been practising hard again today.

That said, snooker form can be so up and down – there’s nothing to say that I will play as well next week as I have done this.

But what was encouraging at Crondon was that what I’ve been working on in my practice for the last three months started to come out in my matches.

In the last few years, I’ve almost been trying not to lose – ‘safety first, take what you can and don’t leave the balls open’. Such a style of play got me to the final of the Worlds in 2009.

But I decided three months ago that I was going to try and attack the game. That’s the way the game is played now if you look at players like Judd Trump and Mark Allen – attack first and then go on the defensive if you need to.

Anyway, let’s see what happens in The Masters. Of the major events in our calendar, the tournament is the one which I have the worst record of all in. I’ve never reached the semi-finals.

In the past it’s been at Wembley (the Conference Centre and then the Arena), but this year it’s being staged at the Alexandra Palace for the first time ever. So, I’m hoping that a change of venue might be the thing I need to bring me a change of luck.

I certainly think Ally Pally is a fantastic venue – I went there last year for the darts and it was great.

My first round game is on Monday night against Martin Gould and, I’m under no illusions, he is a very dangerous opponent. You just don’t know what you are going to get from him – he is one of those who can pot them off the lampshades some days.

His victory in the Power Snooker also seems to have given him a massive boost in terms of confidence. He thinks he can go out and win every match he plays, so I know he will be a very tough opponent. I’ll have to play very well indeed to keep him at bay. But I’ll be giving it 100 per cent, as I do every time that I pick up my cue.

Our season is full on from now on until the end of the World Championship, so it is time to get back on the bike and really go for it.

Shaun

www.ShaunMurphy.net

Alright everyone, I’m down at the Championship League this week, which is kind of a unique experience here at Crondon Park Golf Club.

On our tour some events are better attended than others, but this one does not allow spectators at all. I’ve got friends from down this way in Essex who want to come and watch me, but I have to explain to them that they can’t come.

So, in that respect, it’s a bit weird but I definitely think the tournament is a welcome part of the snooker calendar. It keeps us sharp and I’m using this week to get myself ready for next week’s Masters.

Whatever happens today and over the next three days, I know I’m going to get better practice than I would back home at the club. I’m sure the rest of the players here would say the same thing.

The Championship is certainly a part of snooker that people don’t get to see, so let me try and give you an insight. I’m in between games at the moment and as I sit here in the lounge, members are coming in from their rounds, talking about birdies and bogies.

It reminds me of where I used to play golf in Wellingborough. The car park is always full and the course seems to be pretty busy. So, it’s an interesting venue and one I quite like.

I’ve got a busy day with four best-of-five matches. The first one I lost 3-2 to Judd Trump and next up is Mark Selby.

I’ve two more Group games tomorrow and then there’s the possibility of a semi-final and a final, so it’s pretty much non-stop. One thing is sure, when I pitch up at the Ally Pally, I should be sharp as a tack.

Shaun

SHAUN Murphy enjoyed a practice session with a difference this afternoon – taking on Manchester United and England stars Michael Owen and Michael Carrick.

Michael Carrick, Shaun Murphy and Michael Owen

Shaun is a regular at Old Trafford and was delighted to get the chance to have a couple of frames with the famous footballing duo at Rileys in Altrincham.

He said: “It was a great opportunity as a United fan to meet both of the guys – and it’s great that they’re both interested in snooker.

“I gave them a few pointers in the right direction and took them both on against me. It was a good laugh.

“They gave me a few little challenges – ‘I bet you can’t do this, I bet you can’t do that’. So, it was a really good afternoon and it’s nice to meet people from different sports.”

Owen’s prowess in front of goal is renowned, as is Carrick’s midfield quality for the Reds. But how did the pair shape up on the baize?

The Magician revealed: “I would think Michael Owen is the better snooker player of the two. He’s been playing since he was young, so he had a bit of an advantage there.

“He said he’d once had a break of 64 and from the questions that he was asking, I would say he really knows what he’s talking about.

“He plays quite often, but I think both of them showed that they could be useful players.”

Rumours of Shaun turning out on a pitch in the future at United’s practice base at Carrington are, as yet, unsubstantiated!

SHAUN Murphy is expecting a tough encounter when he lines up against Martin Gould in the second round of the WilliamHill.com UK Championship this lunchtime.

The Manchester-based player booked his spot with a hard-fought 6-3 triumph over the exciting Chinese prospect Li Yan.

Shaun Murphy

Shaun said: “I will have to play at least as well, if not a touch better, against Martin than I did in the first round.

“He was on the next table (beating Peter Lines) the other night and, with their being no dividing screen, I couldn’t help but notice that he finished with two good breaks, including a century, so he is obviously playing well.

“He has gone from strength to stength since just losing that last-16 match against eventual champion Neil Robertson at the 2010 World Championship.

“Last month he won the Power Snooker and while everyone has different views on that tournament, it still had the best players in the world playing it. So, with the UK having a shorter format this year, he will fancy his chances.”

Reflecting on his battling Sunday night success against the teenager Li Yan, Murphy added: “I was pleased to win as the match was a potential banana skin.”

Shaun rattled in an early 66 to grab the opener but didn’t get it all his own way, dropping 2-1 behind before going into the interval all square.

A run of 89 helped him to establish a 4-2 before Li Yan kept the game very much in the balance by winning the seventh. But Shaun’s experience helped restore a two-frame advantage in the next ahead of him closing out the match.

The Magician added: “Li Yan didn’t play like it was his first time at a venue or first time in front of BBc cameras. He played with a lot of confidence.”

Shaun’s second-round encounter with Gould gets underway at the Barbican at 12.30 on Wednesday.

Peter Ebdon

I had a great day yesterday as Peter Ebdon came up to practise with me at the club.

We go back a long, long way and I can recall my first ever experience of the Crucible Theatre was when I went to watch him play there in 1992.

Peter and I lived in the same part of the country for a long, long time and I’ve known him since I was 12 or 13.

Countless times, I used to ask if I could practice with him, pick the balls out for him, when I was a teenager but he’d always turn me down.

I suppose he had his own practice partners and routines and there wasn’t time to practice with a teenager.

I didn’t mind, but I did think it was a bit ironic when he rang up asking me to practise with him after all those times when he’d said ‘no’!

We’ve always got on really well and he is one of the guys who I’ll have a spot of dinner with or share a glass of wine whenever we’re away at a tournament.

People might not know it but Peter’s actually a really good singer and is always ready to blast out a bit of U2 or something if we find ourselves in the vicinity of a karaoke. He, Ali Carter, myself and maybe a couple of others might go along together.

There’s some who have watched him play that may think he is a bit intense but he’s not. He’s well educated, well spoken and knows what he is talking about. He has worked his nuts off for the last 20 years or so, giving his all to the game and his career and I really respect him.

So, it was really good to see him for a bit of a practice together. That said, if we end meeting each other at next week’s PTC or the UK Championship, our good friendship won’t stop us trying to put one over on the other on the table!

Thanks for reading…

Shaun

“Day off after beating Rory McLeod yesterday in the last-16 stage but just been down at the tournament watching some snooker (Hendry-Selt).

I’m really enjoying myself at the Australian Goldfields Open and trying my best. So far, it’s a combination that seems to be working. The scoreline from my match with Rory perhaps flattered me.

While it was 5-1, there were a couple of frames where he was all but over the line and I ended stealing them – but that’s what you’ve got to do, make the comebacks, if you want to win tournaments. So, it was a tough match and it always is against Rory, who is one of my best friends out on the circuit.

I’ve known him, you see, since I was 12 or 13. My safety was good and while I didn’t knock in any massive breaks, I made quite a few 50s and 60s and didn’t miss any easy balls.

I’ve got another day off before resuming with a quarter-final match against Matthew Selt, who knocked out Stephen tonight. I’m looking forward to it and am just taking it one match at a time. Catch up with you all again, soon. ps – it’s still cold out here, in case you’re wondering!”

Shaun

Hi everyone,

A 3-6 semi-final defeat against Ali Carter – not the result I was after. Always hurts to lose, especially as defending champion but Ali was the better player and fully deserved the victory. I congratulated him and wished him good luck in the final.

I’ve had a great year as Wuxi champion and I hope that I can play in the tournament next year and regain my title.

But as they say, the world keeps spinning and so I’m writing this on the Bullet Train from Wuxi to Shanghai where I’m due to film a commercial for my new Chinese sponsor and then tomorrow fly out to Australia to see my friends before the Australian Goldfields Open starts on the July 18.

Will update more from Oz where I’m already looking forward to my first-round match there against my practice partner back home, Andrew Higginson.

Until next time, Shaun.

Morning everyone – just touching base after my first match out here in Wuxi.

Really pleased to win for the first time this season after not managing to do so at the opening PTC last month.

Peter Ebdon is always a tough opponent and so I’m really happy to go through 5-1. I opened up with a 102 break, made a couple of 90s and an 80 as well. I had a bit of luck along the way and Peter was unlucky at times with a few terrible kicks.

So, anyway, I’m through to the next round and will play either Yu De Lu or Ali Carter in the next round. They are on tonight over here. I’m just going to head back to the hotel now and hit the gym and the spa.

I have got a good feeling for this event. Having won it last year, perhaps that’s not surprising. I kind of feel at home over here now and have got used to competing in China. We come here or two or three times a season and I enjoy it.

Anyway, the gym awaits, but win or lose I’ll let you have a few more notes tomorrow! Have a good day, everyone!

Shaun

Me again!

I’ve arrived in China after an epic 30-hour trek from near Manchester via Heathrow and Bangkok. This week it’s the Wuxi Classic, which is a tournament I won last year, so I’m hoping to put up a good defence of the title this week.

I’m actually away from the UK for a few weeks as, after China, I’m going on to Australia. I’ll be heading down to see some friends in Brisbane for a week before taking part in the Australia Goldfields Open, which starts on July 18 in Bendigo.

I’m used to starting the season in somewhere like Aberdeen so playing in China and Australian comes as a massive difference. I’m really excited by the tournament schedule for this season and in between China and Australia is the Snooker World Cup in Bangkok. While I’m not playing in that one, I’ll be cheering on Mark Selby and Ali Carter who are representing England that week.

Back to this week and the Wuxi Classic. It is played in a first-class arena that is purpose-built for snooker and can accommodate 3,000 fans. Last year, the atmosphere for the final, in which I played Ding Junhui, was absolutely crazy.

When the match started, all the fans were pulling for Ding. But as I fought back from being 8-2 down, they started to want me to win. At 8-8 the place was absolutely mental and I’ll never forget the atmosphere around that final frame, which I managed to win.

Hopefully, I’ll have another good week in China. Anyway, be sure to check back during the tournament as I’ll be updating as it unfolds. Hope you all have a good week too!

Shaun