Shaun Murphy facts for kids
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Murphy in 2015
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| Born | 10 August 1982 Harlow, England |
|---|---|
| Sport country |  England |
| Professional | 1998/1999, 2001–present |
| Highest ranking | 3 (May 2007 – May 2010) |
| Current ranking | 8 (as of 8 May 2018) |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 13 |
| Minor-ranking | 4 |
| World Champion | 2005 |
Shaun Peter Murphy (born August 10, 1982) is a professional snooker player from England. He is famous for winning the World Championship in 2005 and has achieved the special "Triple Crown" in snooker. People often call him "The Magician" because of his smooth way of hitting the cue ball and his skill at making long shots.
Murphy became a professional player in 1998. His victory at the World Championship in 2005 was a big surprise because he was only the third player who had to qualify for the tournament to win it. Since then, he has been a runner-up in the World Championship four more times: in 2009, 2015, 2021, and 2026. He has won 13 major ranking titles, including the UK Championship in 2009. He has also won 12 non-ranking tournaments, like the Masters in 2015 and the Masters in 2025, which helped him complete his career Triple Crown.
Murphy has earned over £4 million in prize money. He has made more than 700 "century breaks" (scoring 100 points or more in one turn) and ten "maximum breaks" (scoring the highest possible 147 points). His highest world ranking was number three, which he held for three seasons.
Contents
Early Life and Snooker Start
Shaun Murphy was born in Harlow, England, on August 10, 1982. He started playing snooker at eight years old when his parents gave him a snooker table for Christmas. By age 10, he made his first century break. He practiced at the Rushden Snooker Centre, where other famous players also trained. At 13, he got a sponsorship deal with the Doc Martens shoe company. He dreamed of winning the World Championship and becoming the world's number one player. He turned professional in 1998 when he was 15.
Murphy was home-schooled from age 13. His parents separated when he was 14, and he lived with his father, Tony, who was a former professional golfer.
Shaun Murphy's Snooker Career
Becoming a Professional Player (1998–2004)
Murphy started his professional journey on the UK Tour in 1998. He won two events on the Challenge Tour in 2000–01. In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award. He also won the English Open Championship.
His first professional tournament win was the 2000 Benson & Hedges Championship. This allowed him to play in the prestigious Masters tournament in 2001. In his first televised match, he showed great promise, even leading against seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry before losing. He made his first maximum break in 2001.
Murphy reached the main stages of the World Snooker Championship in 2002 and 2003. In the 2003–04 season, he was ranked number 64. He reached the final stages of three ranking tournaments. He had a notable win against Steve Davis, calling it "one of the greatest days" in his career.
World Champion Surprise (2004–2005)
In the 2004–05 season, Murphy was ranked number 48. He reached his first ranking semi-final at the British Open.
His biggest achievement came at the 2005 World Snooker Championship. He won two qualifying matches and then defeated several former world champions to reach the final. He faced Matthew Stevens and, after being behind, made an amazing comeback to win the title. He made 11 century breaks during the tournament, the most that year.
Murphy's victory was a huge surprise, as his odds were 150–1 before the tournament. He was only the third qualifier ever to win the World Championship. At 22, he was the second-youngest winner. His success earned him the nickname "The Magician." He used his prize money to buy a house and a car.
Continuing Success (2005–2010)
After becoming world champion, Murphy's ranking improved to number 21. He automatically qualified for all tournaments. He reached the quarter-finals of the Masters in 2006. In the Welsh Open, he reached his second ranking final. At the World Championship, he reached the quarter-finals.
In the 2006–07 season, Murphy entered the top 16 world rankings. He won his second ranking title at the Malta Cup. He also made four consecutive century breaks in a match, a rare achievement. He reached the semi-finals of the World Championship.
For the 2007–08 season, Murphy reached his highest ranking of number three. He made it to the semi-finals of five ranking events and won the non-ranking Malta Cup again. He reached the final of the China Open.
In the 2008–09 season, Murphy won the non-ranking Paul Hunter Classic. He won his third ranking title at the UK Championship. This made him one of only ten players to win both the World and UK titles. He reached his second World Championship final in 2009, where he was runner-up.
Murphy continued his success in the 2009–10 season, defending his Paul Hunter Classic title and winning the Premier League Snooker. He reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
More Titles and Challenges (2010–2022)
In the 2010–11 season, Murphy won the non-ranking Wuxi Classic and the minor-ranking Brugge Open. He also won his fourth ranking title at the Players Tour Championship Finals.
The 2011–12 season saw Murphy win the non-ranking Brazil Masters. He reached his first Masters final in 2012. He also made it to the semi-finals of the German Masters and Welsh Open.
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In the 2012–13 season, Murphy reached the final of the 2012 UK Championship. He also made it to the quarter-finals of the 2013 World Snooker Championship.
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Murphy focused on his health in the 2013–14 season, losing weight to improve his stamina. He made two maximum breaks that season. He won the minor-ranking Gdynia Open and his fifth ranking title at the World Open.
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The 2014–15 season was a big one for Murphy. He won two minor-ranking events, the Bulgarian Open and the Ruhr Open, making three maximum breaks in a calendar year. He won the Masters in January, completing his career Triple Crown. He reached his third World Championship final in 2015, finishing as runner-up.
In the 2015–16 season, Murphy won his sixth ranking title at the World Grand Prix. He reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship in the 2016–17 season and won his seventh ranking title at the Gibraltar Open.
The 2017–18 season saw Murphy reach three ranking finals and win the invitational Champion of Champions tournament. In 2018–19, he reached the final of the Scottish Open. At the World Snooker Championship, he won his first-round match 10–0, one of the biggest wins in Crucible history.
In the 2019–20 season, Murphy reached the finals of the International Championship and the Shanghai Masters. He won his eighth ranking title at the China Championship and his ninth at the Welsh Open.
During the 2020–21 season, Murphy reached the semi-finals of the European Masters. He also made it to his fourth World Championship final in 2021, where he was runner-up.
In the 2021–22 season, after a first-round loss, Murphy made comments about amateur players in professional tournaments. He later expressed regret for these comments and apologized, explaining he was going through a difficult time.
Recent Achievements (2022–2026)
Before the 2022–23 season, Murphy had surgery to help with his weight. He said this was for health reasons and due to comments about his weight on social media. He reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship. He was a runner-up at the Welsh Open before winning his tenth ranking title at the Players Championship. He then won his eleventh ranking title at the Tour Championship. He also won his twelfth ranking title at the Championship League.
At the World Championship, he faced Si Jiahui, the player he had made comments about in 2021. Si won the match, and Murphy graciously accepted the defeat.
In the 2023–24 season, Murphy made the first-ever 147 maximum break in the Snooker Shoot Out. He reached the semi-finals of the Masters.
In August 2024, Murphy was a runner-up at the Shanghai Masters. He won his second Masters title in January 2025, making a 147 break in the semi-final. He won his thirteenth ranking title at the British Open in September 2025. He reached the finals of the Xi'an Grand Prix and the German Masters. In April 2026, Murphy reached his fifth World Championship final, where he was runner-up.
Playing Style
Shaun Murphy is known for his very straight cue action, which some experts have called "the best." He is also excellent at making long shots and building high scores. He has made over 700 century breaks and ten maximum breaks in his career. He has earned more than £4 million in prize money.
Rivalries in Snooker
Shaun Murphy has had some notable rivalries with other players. One well-known incident involved Stephen Maguire at the 2004 Grand Prix. Maguire was penalized a frame for not being ready to start on time, which caused some tension between them. Maguire later made a comment that was seen as a reference to Murphy. Despite these moments, such rivalries are part of competitive sports.
Personal Life and Beliefs
Shaun Murphy was home-schooled from age 13. He has been married and has two children, a son and a daughter. He later remarried in 2016 and divorced in 2023. In 2025, he became engaged to musician Jo Rochell.
Murphy became interested in Christianity at 15. He was known for his charity work, including donating part of his 2005 World Championship winnings to his church. Over time, his faith changed, and in 2023, he identified as an atheist.
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 |
2025/ 26 |
2026/ 27 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 72 | 64 | 48 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship League | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | 2R | 2R | 2R | W | 2R | RR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saudi Arabia Masters | Tournament Not Held | SF | 6R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wuhan Open | Tournament Not Held | LQ | QF | 2R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| English Open | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 4R | 3R | 4R | 2R | 2R | 3R | LQ | 2R | 3R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British Open | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | 2R | SF | Tournament Not Held | 1R | LQ | 1R | 1R | W | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xi'an Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | 2R | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Ireland Open | Tournament Not Held | 1R | 1R | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | 2R | 3R | QF | 3R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International Championship | Tournament Not Held | SF | 1R | 2R | 3R | QF | 3R | LQ | F | Not Held | 1R | 2R | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK Championship | LQ | A | A | LQ | WD | LQ | LQ | 3R | 2R | SF | W | 2R | SF | QF | F | 4R | 4R | 4R | SF | F | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | SF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoot-Out | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | SF | 1R | 2R | 4R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Open | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | 1R | 2R | Tournament Not Held | MR | Not Held | 2R | 1R | F | 4R | 3R | 1R | 1R | LQ | 2R | 2R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| German Masters | NR | Tournament Not Held | 2R | SF | QF | 3R | F | 1R | LQ | SF | 1R | SF | 1R | 2R | LQ | LQ | 3R | F | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | NR | W | QF | QF | 1R | 1R | 1R | DNQ | SF | 2R | SF | 1R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Players Championship | Tournament Not Held | W | DNQ | DNQ | 2R | 2R | SF | 1R | F | DNQ | SF | DNQ | DNQ | W | DNQ | QF | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Welsh Open | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | F | QF | SF | QF | 1R | 1R | SF | 1R | 3R | 2R | 3R | 2R | 1R | 2R | W | QF | 2R | F | LQ | 1R | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Open | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | 3R | 1R | 3R | RR | SF | 1R | 1R | LQ | QF | 2R | W | Not Held | QF | 1R | LQ | 2R | Not Held | 3R | QF | 3R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tour Championship | Tournament Not Held | DNQ | QF | DNQ | DNQ | W | DNQ | 1R | QF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championship | LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | 1R | LQ | W | QF | SF | 2R | F | QF | 2R | 1R | QF | QF | F | 1R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 1R | F | 1R | 1R | 2R | 2R | F | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shanghai Masters | Tournament Not Held | Ranking Event | WD | F | Not Held | 2R | F | 2R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Champion of Champions | Tournament Not Held | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | W | SF | QF | 1R | 1R | A | QF | 1R | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Riyadh Season Championship | Tournament Not Held | QF | 2R | QF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Masters | LQ | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | A | QF | QF | QF | 1R | QF | 1R | F | SF | SF | W | 1R | 1R | QF | 1R | SF | QF | 1R | QF | SF | W | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship League | Tournament Not Held | SF | RR | RR | F | 2R | RR | SF | WD | A | RR | WD | A | A | A | A | WD | A | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand Masters | LQ | A | A | LQ | NR | Not Held | NR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Irish Masters | Non-Ranking Event | LQ | LQ | LQ | NH | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Ireland Trophy | Tournament Not Held | NR | QF | SF | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bahrain Championship | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wuxi Classic | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking | 1R | LQ | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian Goldfields Open | Tournament Not Held | SF | QF | 2R | 2R | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shanghai Masters | Tournament Not Held | 1R | 1R | SF | 2R | QF | SF | 2R | 2R | 2R | 1R | LQ | NR | Not Held | Non-Ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Hunter Classic | 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 | 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 | Tournament Not Held | MR | A | LQ | 2R | LQ | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Championship | Tournament Not Held | NR | F | 3R | W | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WST Pro Series | Tournament Not Held | 2R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turkish Masters | Tournament Not Held | SF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gibraltar Open | Tournament Not Held | MR | W | WD | 3R | A | 3R | WD | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WST Classic | Tournament Not Held | 2R | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Masters | LQ | Not Held | LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | 2R | W | NR | Tournament Not Held | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | SF | 1R | 3R | 3R | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former non-ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Masters Qualifying Event | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. | |||
Career Finals
Ranking Finals: 30 (13 titles)
Minor-ranking Finals: 6 (4 titles)
Non-ranking Finals: 25 (12 titles)
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