Shaun Murphy
Shaun Peter Murphy (born 10 August 1982) is an English professional snooker player who won the 2005 World Championship. Nicknamed "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight cue action and his long potting.
Murphy at the 2015 German Masters | |
| Born | 10 August 1982 Harlow, England |
|---|---|
| Sport country | England |
| Nickname | the Magician |
| Professional | 1998/1999, 2001–present |
| Highest ranking | 3 (May 2007 – May 2010) |
| Current ranking | 6 (as of 5 February 2024) |
| Maximum breaks | 8 |
| Century breaks | 648 (as of 15 February 2024) |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 12 |
| Minor-ranking | 4 |
| World Champion | 2005 |
Born in Harlow, Essex, and raised in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, Murphy turned professional in 1998. His victory at the 2005 World Championship was considered a major surprise as he was only the third qualifier to win the title after Alex Higgins and Terry Griffiths. He has won twelve ranking titles, placing him tenth on the all time list of ranking tournament victories, and he has also reached a second World Championship final in 2009, a third in 2015 and a fourth in 2021. Murphy has also won eleven non-ranking tournaments, including the 2015 Masters, which completed his career Triple Crown.
Murphy has won over £4 million in prize money and has compiled more than 600 century breaks in his professional career, including eight maximum breaks. His highest world ranking was number three, which he maintained for three seasons following 2007–08.
On 12 November 2017, Murphy won the Champion of Champions title beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final. At the 2019 World Snooker Championship, Murphy became only the second person to perform a whitewash at the world championships, defeating Luo Honghao 10–0 in the opening round.