Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Infobox snooker player
| name = Shaun Murphy
| image = Shaun Murphy at the Paul Hunter Classic 2008.jpg|alt=A dark-haired man, dressed in a white dress-shirt, black vest and black bow-tie
|caption = Murphy at the [[Paul Hunter Classic]] in 2008
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|8|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Harlow]], England
| Sport country = {{ENG}}
| Nickname = {{Unbulleted list|The Magician|The Whiston Warrior}}
| Professional = 1998–
| High ranking = 3 (3 years)
| Current rank = 7
| Prize money = £1,052,845 <small>(up to the end of 2008/2009)</small>
| High break = [[Maximum break|147]] <small>([[2002 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2001 Benson & Hedges Championship]])</small>
| Century break = 197
| Ranking wins = 4
| Minor wins = 1
| Other wins = 6
| World champ = [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]]
| website = {{url|http://www.shaun-murphy.co.uk/}}<br/>{{url|http://www.shaunmurphy.net/}}}}
'''Shaun Murphy''' (born 10 August 1982) is an English professional [[snooker]] player, who won the [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005 World Championship]]. [[List of snooker player nicknames|Nicknamed]] "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight [[Cue stick|cue]] action and his long potting. He is known for his dedication and for being a devout [[Christianity|Christian]].
Born in [[Harlow]], England, Murphy turned professional in 1998. His victory at the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] was considered a major surprise as he was only the second qualifier to lift the title. His other [[List of snooker tournaments|ranking tournament]] victories came in the [[2007 Malta Cup]] and the [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|2008 UK Championship]], while he reached a second World Championship final in [[2009 World Snooker Championship|2009]]. He also has won six non-ranking tournaments.
Murphy has won over £1 million in prize money and has [[List of snooker players with over 100 century breaks|compiled over 190 century breaks]] in his professional career. His highest [[Snooker world rankings|world ranking]] was number three, which he maintained for three seasons following [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/2008]], while his ranking for the [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/2011 season]] is seventh. Murphy also became engaged in a public rivalry with fellow player [[Stephen Maguire]], while his separation from his wife in 2008, after three years of marriage, made the headlines.
==Career==
Born in [[Harlow]], England, Murphy began playing [[snooker]] at the age of 8 after his parents bought him a [[Billiard table#Snooker tables|snooker table]] for Christmas.<ref name=Mott>{{Cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2359420/Murphy-earns-big-break.html | title=Murphy earns big break | publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | first=Sue | last=Mott | date=10 May 2005 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He made his first [[century break]] at the age of 10<ref name=dyk>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4508509.stm | title=Shaun Murphy – Did you know...? | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=5 May 2007}}</ref> and practised at the [[Rushden]] Snooker Centre, where players such as [[Stephen Hendry]], [[Mark Williams (Welsh snooker player)|Mark Williams]], and [[Ken Doherty]] have also practised.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/04/snooker.paulweaver | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy puts Rushden in frame | first=Paul |last=Weaver | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> At the age of 13, he secured a five-year £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with the [[Dr. Martens|Doc Martens]] shoe company<ref name=dyk /><ref name=Everton4Feb01>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1153418.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Murphy's got the right stuff | first=Clive | last=Everton | date=4 February 2001 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> and stated his ambitions of winning the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] and becoming [[List of snooker world number ones|world number one]].<ref name="rise">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4507087.stm|title=Murphy's rise to the world summit|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=3 May 2005|accessdate=2 July 2010 | first=Julian | last=Shea}} For the interview, see "Interview: Thirteen-year-old Shaun Murphy on his aspirations for his career in snooker".</ref> He turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15.<ref name=who>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4489329.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Who is Shaun Murphy? | first=Saj | last=Chowdhury |date=30 April 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref>
Murphy was coached by [[Steve Prest]] until the 2006/2007 season.<ref name=Yates5Feb07>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1329385.ece | title=Forgotten man Murphy relishing his long-awaited second coming | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=5 February 2007 | accessdate=30 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> [[Willie Thorne]]<ref name=Yates5Feb07 /> and [[Ray Reardon]] also gave him guidance,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1015807/I-quit-shocked-world-says-Crucible-hero-Murphy.html | title=I almost quit, then shocked the world says Crucible hero Murphy | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | first=Peter | last=Ferguson | date=17 April 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and when he was 15, he was given the latter's old [[cue stick|cue]] by his father.<ref name=Kidd />
===Early career===
Murphy began his career on the [[International Open Series|UK Tour]] (renamed the Challenge Tour in 2000), at the time the second-level professional tour. He was runner-up in the fourth event on the UK tour for the 1997/1998 season and, for the 2000/2001 season, won the third and fourth events on the Challenge Tour, topping the Order of Merit rankings .<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html | title=WPBSA Secondary Professional Tour | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award<ref>{{cite news| last=Chowdhury | first=Saj | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4489329.stm | title=Who is Shaun Murphy? | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=28 August 2010 | date=30 April 2005}}</ref> and one of six Young Player of Distinction of the Year awards from the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/uk_championship_snooker/1030338.stm | title=Young guns fall by the wayside | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=18 November 2000 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In 2000, he won the [[Paul Hunter English Open|English Open Championship]].<ref name=Everton4Feb01 />
Murphy won his first professional tournament at the [[2001 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2000 Benson & Hedges Championship]], defeating [[Mark Davis (snooker player)|Mark Davis]] by six {{Cuegloss|Frame|frames}} to one (6–1) in the semi-final,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1025369.stm | title=Murphy too strong for Davis | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=15 November 2000 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> and [[Stuart Bingham]] 9–7 in the final, recovering from 2–5 down.<ref name=BBC17Nov00>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1027402.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Murphy battles to claim crown | date=17 November 2000 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> Although he was not yet on the first-level main tour, this victory brought qualification for the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]]<ref name=BBC17Nov00 />—a prestigious non-ranking invitation tournament with places for members of the top 16, the winner of the [[Masters Qualifying Event|qualifying tournament]], and a limited number of wildcards. In [[2001 Masters (snooker)|the 2001 tournament]], he showed promise in his first televised match, defeating world number 15, [[Marco Fu]],<ref name=Everton4Feb01 /> and building a 4–1 lead over seven-time world champion Hendry, before losing the match.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1155000.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Hendry tames Murphy | date=5 February 2001 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He made his only [[maximum break]] in the [[2002 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2001 Benson & Hedges Championship]].<ref name=WS>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/player_list-7944.htm | title=Shaun Murphy | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>
===Early ranking results===
Murphy first reached the final stages of a ranking event at the [[2002 World Snooker Championship|2002 World Championship]], hosted at the [[Crucible Theatre]], where he lost 4–10 to Hendry in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1943567.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Hendry eases into second round | date=22 April 2002 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> In the [[Snooker season 2002/2003|2002/2003 season]], he reached the final stages of the [[2003 Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]], where he was defeated 3–5 by [[Drew Henry]] in the first round,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/so2003_res.shtml | title=Regal Scottish Open 2003 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> and the [[2003 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he lost 9–10 against Doherty on the final black in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/3358901.stm | title=Unsung heroes of the year | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | first=Phil | last=Harlow | date=31 December 2003 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref>
For the [[Snooker season 2003/2004|2003/2004 season]], Murphy was [[Snooker world rankings 2003/2004|ranked number 64]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0304/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2003/2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> and qualified for the final stages of three ranking tournaments. In the [[2003 LG Cup (snooker)|LG Cup]], Murphy defeated [[Steve Davis]] 5–4 in the second round,<ref name=BBC6Oct03>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3166420.stm | title=Murphy stuns Davis | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=6 October 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> before losing 2–5 to [[John Higgins (snooker player)|John Higgins]] in third round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3178908.stm | title=Stevens stuns O'Sullivan | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=9 October 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> After the victory over Davis, Murphy said "This is one of the greatest days in my snooker career."<ref name=BBC6Oct03 /> In the [[2003 British Open (snooker)|British Open]], he defeated [[Dave Harold]] 5–1 in the first round,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3254219.stm | title=Parrott falls at the first | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=9 November 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> before losing to [[Paul Hunter]] 2–5 in the second round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3258455.stm | title=O'Sullivan returns to form | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 November 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]]—the new name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual champion [[Jimmy White]] in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/pc2004_res.shtml | title=Daily Record Players Championship 2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> He failed to reach the [[2004 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], losing a qualifying match 7–10 against [[Stuart Pettman]], in which Pettman was docked a frame for arriving late.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3508547.stm | title=Pettman angry after victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 February 2004 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref>
For the [[Snooker season 2004/2005|2004/2005 season]], Murphy was [[Snooker world rankings 2004/2005|ranked number 48]]<ref name=04/05>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0405/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2004/2005 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> and reached the final stages of four ranking events, including the World Championship victory. In the [[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]]—the new name of the LG Cup—he lost 2–5 to [[Stephen Maguire]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/gp2004_res.shtml | title=totesport Grand Prix 2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> This was followed by his first ranking semi-final, at the [[2004 British Open (snooker)|British Open]], where he was whitewashed 0–6 by Higgins.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3987191.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=British Open draw | date=13 November 2004 | accessdate=4 July 2010}}</ref><ref name=Yates4May05>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article1079494.ece | title=Murphy gives warning of shape of things to come | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2005 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]], he lost 2–5 to [[Matthew Stevens]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/mc2005_res.shtml | title=Malta Cup 2005 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref>
===2005 World Championship===
{{Main|2005 World Snooker Championship}}
Murphy won two qualifying matches to qualify for the [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005 World Championship]]. He defeated former world champions Higgins 13–8, Davis 13–4, and [[Peter Ebdon]] 17–12 to reach the final to face Stevens, the world number six.<ref name=04/05 /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388897.stm | title=World Snooker draw and results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2005 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> He trailed Stevens 6–10 at the end of the first day (the World Championship final is played over two days),<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/02/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2005 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Stevens takes control as Murphy stutters | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=2 May 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> but made a comeback to bring the score to 16–16. He then made two frame-winning breaks to lift the title.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/03/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship20051 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy pots back to claim his crown | first=Paul |last=Weaver | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=4 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> His 11 century breaks were the most in that year's tournament.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4451759.stm | title=Crucible century breaks | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=27 April 2005 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref>
Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. His pre-tournament odds were 150–1, and before his win, he was considered an underachiever.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article575734.ece | title=Ruthless Murphy enjoys going from David to Goliath | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=7 October 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> He became only the second qualifier to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) after [[Terry Griffiths]] in [[1979 World Snooker Championship|1979]]. At the age of 22, Murphy was the second youngest player to win the World Championship, following Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21.<ref name=Yates4May05 /> No previous world champion had played as many matches (seven) to lift the title,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article387909.ece | title=Murphy savours his long road to glory | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=22 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and he was the lowest ranked player, at number 48, to win the tournament.<ref name=BBC3Dec07>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7127086.stm | title=UK Championship 2007: Shaun Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 December 2007 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> No player had won the World Championship as his first ranking event win since [[Joe Johnson (snooker player)|Joe Johnson]] in [[1986 World Snooker Championship|1986]].<ref name=Yates4May05 /> His run in the tournament earned him the nickname "Magician" and the tournament doubled his previous career prize money, with which he purchased a [[Mercedes-Benz]] and a house.<ref name=Kidd>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28910-2135111,00.html | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Murphy seeks win and a prayer after taking cue from his faith | first=Patrick | last=Kidd | date=15 April 2006 | accessdate=2 |July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> After his win, in July 2005, he married his fiancee Clare.<ref name=Townsend16Apr06>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-emotional-year-for-long-journey-man-474347.html | title=Snooker: Emotional year for long journey man | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | first=Nick | last=Townsend | date=16 April 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=split>{{Cite web| url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1825937.ece | publisher=''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'' | title=Snooker ace splits from wife | first1=Gary | last1=O'Shea | first2=Andy | last2=Dillon | date=18 October 2008 | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1Wh20x | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref>
===2005/2006===
For the [[Snooker season 2005/2006|new season]], he improved his ranking to [[Snooker world rankings 2005/2006|number 21]],<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0506/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2005/2006 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-murphy-starts-new-journey-as-old-era-goes-up-in-smoke-494913.html | title=Snooker: Murphy starts new journey as old era goes up in smoke | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | first=Nick | last=Harris | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=3 September 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He was invited to play in the [[2005 Premier League Snooker (2005/06)|Premier League Snooker]], a non-ranking tournament with a 25-a-second shot clock, but he went out in the round-robin stage.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://premierleaguesnooker.matchroomcms.com/results/2005_winter_results.htm | title=2005 (Winter) Results – 04/12/2005 | publisher=[[Premier League Snooker]] | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref>
In the inaugural, non-ranking [[2005 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]], he reached the quarter-finals before he was defeated 4–5 by [[Neil Robertson (snooker player)|Neil Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4167590.stm | title=Robertson comeback sinks Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=19 August 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the first three ranking events of the season—the [[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]], the [[2005 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], and the [[2006 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]]—he reached the last 16, losing final-frame matches to Bingham,<ref name=Everton14Oct05>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/oct/14/snooker.sport2 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy blasts outside table after losing to Bingham | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=14 October 2005 | accessdate=4 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Robertson,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4526330.stm | title=Vintage Davis into quarter-finals | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 December 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and [[Graeme Dott]],<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4674612.stm | title=Higgins overcomes illness to win | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 February 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> respectively. After his loss to Bingham, he complained about having to play his match on an outside table, given his world champion status.<ref name=Everton14Oct05 /> In the revival of [[2005 Pot Black|Pot Black]], a single-frame knockout tournament not staged since 1991,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4382776.stm | title=Pot Black returns | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=27 October 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> Murphy was defeated in the final by Stevens.<ref name=2005PB>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388810.stm | title=Stevens wins Pot Black comeback | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=29 October 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> He was awarded Sportsman Of The Year at the [[BBC East Midlands]] Sports Awards in December 2005.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2005/12/06/east_midlands_sports_awards_2005_feature.shtml | title=County triumphs at Sports' Awards | publisher=[[BBC Northamptonshire]] | date=6 December 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>
In the [[2006 Masters (snooker)|Masters]], Murphy lost 4–6 to Higgins in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4632964.stm | title=Higgins sinks Murphy at Wembley | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 January 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> but reached his second ranking final in the [[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], losing 4–9 to [[Stephen Lee]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4777206.stm | title=Lee eases to Welsh Open victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=5 March 2006 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2006 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], he reached the quarter-finals, but fell victim to the "[[Crucible Curse]]"—no first-time champion has successfully defended the title at the Crucible Theatre<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2335342/Snooker-Murphy-aiming-to-exorcise-the-Crucible-curse.html | title=Snooker: Murphy aiming to exorcise the Crucible curse | publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | first=John | last=Dee | date=15 April 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref>— when he was defeated 7–13 by Ebdon.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4869790.stm | title=Full World Championship results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2006 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref>
===2006/2007===
For the [[Snooker season 2006/2007|next season]], Murphy moved to [[Snooker world rankings 2006/2007|number five]] in the world rankings,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0607/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2006/2007 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref> entering the elite [[List of Top 16 snooker players|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 [[2006 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]] (a ranking event in this season), he lost 4–5 to Lee in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/5263986.stm | title=Speedy O'Sullivan into last four | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=18 August 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and in the [[2006 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], he lost 3–9 to [[Alan McManus]] in the second round.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6157563.stm | title=UK Championship draw & results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=5 December 2006}}</ref> A 3–6 defeat by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals of the [[2007 Masters (snooker)|Masters]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6260605.stm | title=2007 Masters Draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=18 January 2007}}</ref> was followed by his second ranking title, when he defeated [[Ryan Day]] 9–4 in the final of the [[2007 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6305805.stm | title=2007 Malta Cup Draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=27 January 2007}}</ref> After the victory, he said it was a relief to get rid of the one-hit wonder label.<ref name=BBC4Feb07>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6329895.stm | title=Murphy cruises to Malta victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 February 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In his next match, a victory over [[Jamie Cope]] in the [[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], he scored centuries in four consecutive frames, becoming only the second player to do this (after Higgins in the [[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|2005 Grand Prix]] final) and the only person to do so in a best-of-nine match.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6363307.stm | title=Magic Murphy sets century record | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 February 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He went on to lose 3–5 to Maguire in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6368197.stm | title=O'Sullivan suffers Welsh defeat | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=16 February 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2007 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], Murphy defeated Stevens 13–12 in the quarter-finals—recovering from 5–11 down and knocking the latter out of the top 16<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm | title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6618955.stm | title=Stevens dazed by Crucible defeat | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=3 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>—before losing 16–17 against [[Mark Selby]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6621799.stm | title=Selby pips Murphy to reach final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=5 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>
===2007/2008===
For the [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/2008 season]], he was [[Snooker world rankings 2007/2008|ranked number three]], his highest ever ranking,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0708/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2007/2008 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events, without winning any.
In the inaugural [[2007 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]], he was defeated 2–5 by [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/sm2007_res.shtml | title=Roewe Shanghai Masters 2007 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[2007 Pot Black|Pot Black]], where he was defeated by Doherty.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7031830.stm | title=Doherty secures Pot Black title | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=6 October 2007 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2007 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]], he reached the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], despite leading 5–2.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/gp2007_res.shtml | title=Royal London Watches Grand Prix 2007 | publisher=www.snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7054481.stm | title=Fu sets up O'Sullivan final clash | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 October 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> Further semi-finals followed at the [[2007 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]] and the [[2007 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], where he was defeated on both occasions by Maguire, 5–6<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7089092.stm | title=Maguire faces O'Brien in NI final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 November 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and 5–9,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7145388.stm | title=Superb Maguire claims final spot | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 December 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> respectively, making it three consecutive semi-final losses. Before the UK Championship, he was provisionally ranked number one.<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /><ref name=Everton15Dec07>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/dec/15/snooker.sport | title=Maguire wins grudge match | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=15 December 2007 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He successfully defended his [[2008 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]] title (that year the tournament was not a ranking event) with a 9–3 victory over Doherty in the final.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7238078.stm | title=Murphy thrashes Doherty in final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 February 2008 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2008 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], he defeated Selby 6–3 in the semi-final<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7320396.stm | title=Maguire sinks 147 to reach final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=29 March 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>—his sixth semi-final in the past seven ranking events<ref name=BBC26Apr10>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7368836.stm | title=Super Carter breezes past Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=26 April 2008 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>—but lost 9–10 to Maguire in the final.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7321721.stm | title=Maguire holds nerve for China win | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=30 March 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> Before the World Championship, he was again provisional number one.<ref name=Yates19Apr08>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3775482.ece | title=Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to prove age is no barrier | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=19 April 2008 | accessdate=30 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref>
In the [[2008 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], as one of the favourties, he reached the second round, before losing 4–13 to [[Allister Carter|Ali Carter]].<ref name=BBC26Apr10 /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7346265.stm | title=World Championship draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 April 2008 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> After his loss, Murphy criticised the state of the tables.<ref name=BBC26Apr10 /> Up to this point, on the five occasions Murphy had been defeated at the Crucible Theatre, his conqueror had always gone on to lose the World Championship final.
===2008/2009===
Murphy maintained his [[Snooker world rankings 2008/2009|number three ranking]] for the [[Snooker season 2008/2009|2008/2009 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0809/ranking.asp | title=World Rankings 2008/2009 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> He won the non-ranking [[Paul Hunter Classic]], defeating Selby 4–0 in the final,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp | title=Paul Hunter Classic History | publisher=global-snooker.com | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> but lost in the first round of the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 defeat by world number 47 [[Mike Dunn (snooker player)|Mike Dunn]] in the [[2008 Bahrain Championship|Bahrain Championship]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/nov/09/snooker | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy's season goes from bad to worse with Bahrain defeat | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=10 November 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> In October, Murphy and his wife separated, after three years of marriage, and he did not wear his wedding ring in the [[2008 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]].<ref name=split />
Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed to the split from his wife<ref name=Yates19Dec08>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article5367882.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy's luck changes as he puts himself back in frame | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=19 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref>—Murphy claimed his third ranking title at the [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], defeating Fu 10–9 in a low-quality final, in which he fluked a pink in the deciding frame that was effectively match ball.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/dec/22/snooker | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy rides luck to snatch UK title with fluke pink in last frame | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=22 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article5380682.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy finally edges fighting Marco Fu | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=22 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> The victory meant he joined Davis, [[Alex Higgins]], Griffiths, [[John Parrott]], Hendry, O'Sullivan, Williams, John Higgins and Ebdon as the tenth player to have won both the World title and the UK title, cementing his place as one of the elite top players in the world.
In the [[2009 World Snooker Championship|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]]. However, nothing transpired and he defeated Higginson 10–8, although his wife's parents were present in the arena and were asked to leave.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/apr/22/snooker-murphy-higginson-fu | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy overcomes health and wife fears to set up Fu showdown | date=22 April 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=Pitt>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article6210750.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy goes distance to reach final | first=Nick | last=Pitt | date=3 May 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He went on to defeat Fu 13–3, Hendry 13–11, and Robertson 17–14 to earn a place in his second world final, with two-time world champion Higgins as the opponent.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7987891.stm | title=World Snooker 2009 | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=3 September 2010 | date=25 April 2009}}</ref> In the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day, and was beaten 18–9 by Higgins.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8032814.stm | title=Higgins earns third world crown | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 May 2010 | accessdate=18 May 2009 | first=Mark | last=Ashenden}}</ref> On the first day of the final, a newspaper published a "kiss and tell" story involving Murphy.<ref name=sex>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-murphy-shows-the-strain-on-a-day-to-forget-1678575.html | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | title=Snooker: Murphy shows the strain on a day to forget | first=Nick | last=Harris | date=4 May 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=Tadeo>{{Cite web| url=http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=snooker-hero-murphy-and-pound-100-escort&method=full&objectid=21328337&siteid=93463-name_page.html | title=Snooker Hero Murphy and £100 an hour escort | publisher=''[[The People]]'' | first=Daniel | last=Jones | accessdate=22 August 2010 | date=3 May 2009}}</ref>
===2009/2010===
Murphy maintained his [[Snooker world rankings 2009/2010|number three ranking]] for a third year in the [[Snooker season 2009/2010|2009/2010 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0910/ranking.asp | title=World Rankings 2009/2010 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> He successfully defended his [[Paul Hunter Classic]] title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Global-Snooker-News-160809-Paul-Hunter-Classic-final.asp | title=Murphy retains Paul Hunter Classic title | publisher=globalsnooker.com | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1Gavkn | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref> He won the [[2009 Premier League Snooker|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.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12243_5733174,00.html | title=Murphy ends Ronnie's reign | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | date=30 November 2009 | accessdate=30 November 2009}}</ref>
He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the [[2009 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]], before losing 5–6 against [[Liang Wenbo]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8240873.stm | title=Shanghai Masters results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=13 September 2009}}</ref> This would be his only run to the semi-finals or better in a ranking tournament that season. In the [[2009 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], as the defending champion, he lost 5–9 to eventual winner [[Ding Junhui]] in the second round.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8390702.stm | title=UK Championship 2009 – full results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=5 December 2009}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Everton (2009-12-9)">{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/dec/09/snooker-told-limit-loo-breaks | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Snooker told to limit loo breaks | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=9 December 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He reached the quarter-finals of the [[2010 Masters (snooker)|Masters]], where he lost 4–6 against Williams.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8418809.stm | title=Masters snooker final - Frame scores from Wembley | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=16 January 2010}}</ref> In the [[2010 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] and the [[2010 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], he lost his first-round matches to Stevens<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jan/26/matthew-stevens-newport-shaun-murphy | title=Matthew Stevens surprises Newport with win over Shaun Murphy | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=26 January 2010 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and [[Nigel Bond]],<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8595160.stm | title=China Open draw and results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=2 April 2010}}</ref> respectively. In the [[2010 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], he defeated [[Gerard Greene]] and Ding, but lost 12–13 against Carter in the quarter-finals, despite leading 8–4.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8620855.stm | title=World Championship results | accessdate=30 August 2010 | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=15 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8649244.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Graeme Dott and Ali Carter make world semi-finals | date=28 April 2010 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> This was the first season in which he did not reach a final or better of a ranking tournament since the 2003/2004 season.
===2010/2011===
After three seasons ranked number three, he dropped to [[Snooker world rankings 2010/2011|number seven]] for the [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/2011 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rankings5.html | title=World Rankings (from 2010/11) | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> He won the [[2010 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]], a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding 9–8, recovering from 2–8 down.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12243_6193953,00.html | title=Murphy comeback stuns Ding | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | date=6 June 2010 | accessdate=30 August}}</ref> Murphy reached the semi-finals of the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 1|Paul Hunter Classic]], now part of the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011|Players Tour Championship]] minor-ranking series, but lost 2–4 against eventual winner [[Judd Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/EPTC1_Draw.htm?tid=187 | title=Euro Players Tour Championship 1 Drawsheet | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | accessdate=9 September 2010}}</ref> Murphy won the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 2|Brugge Open]], the second European event of the Players Tour Championship, with defeating [[Matthew Couch]] 4–2 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/PTC6_news(Murphy_Enjoys_Comfortable_Couch_Victory)-2673.htm?tid=188|title=Murphy Enjoys Comfortable Couch Victory|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=4 October 2010|accessdate=4 October 2010}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 5|Ruhr Championship]], but lost 2–4 against [[John Higgins (snooker player)|John Higgins]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/EPTC5_Draw.htm?tid=192|title=Euro Players Tour Championship 5 Drawsheet|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=22 October 2010|accessdate=22 October 2010}}</ref> Murphy finished 1st on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2010|title=2010/2011 PTC Order of Merit|publisher=WWW Snooker|date=21 November 2010|accessdate=21 November 2010}}</ref> Murphy failed to defend his [[2010 Premier League Snooker|Premier League Snooker]] title, as he lost 1–7 against [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker Play-Offs|url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com//results/2010_partycasinocom_premier_league_snooker_playoffs.htm|publisher=Premier League Snooker|accessdate=27 November 2010}}</ref> He than reached the semi-finals of the [[2010 UK Championship (snooker)|2010 UK Championship]], where he lost to eventuel runner-up [[Mark Williams (Welsh snooker player)|Mark Williams]] 8–9.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 12BET.com UK Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=23|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=23 November 2010}}</ref>
Murphy lost in the first round of the [[2011 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] 3–6 against [[Jamie Cope]],<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Masters|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=29|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=17 December 2010}}</ref> in the second round of the [[2011 German Masters|German Masters]] 2–5 against [[Joe Swail]]<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 German Masters|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=24|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=24 January 2011}}</ref> and in the first round of the [[2011 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] 0–4 against [[Matthew Stevens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Welsh Open|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=25|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=3 January 2011}}</ref> Murphy then won the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|finals]] of the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|Players Tour Championship]], by defeating [[Martin Gould]] 4–0 in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=PTC 2010/2011 Finals|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=32|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=22 December 2010}}</ref> The next week Murphy also reached the final of the [[2011 Championship League|Championship League]], but lost 1–3 against [[Matthew Stevens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 CLS – Winners Group results|url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com/championship/results/2011_cls_winners_group_results.htm|publisher=Championship League|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref> Murphy reached the semi-final of the [[2011 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], where he lost 1–6 against [[Judd Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|title=China Open (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=27|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref> Murphy's last tournament of the season was the [[2011 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he lost in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Betfred.com World Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=28|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=26 April 2011}}</ref>
==Rivalry==
Murphy has clashed with [[Stephen Maguire]], another of the 2000 Young Players of Distinction, on several occasions. During their [[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|2004 Grand Prix]] match, Murphy was instrumental in Maguire forfeiting a frame.<ref name=Everton15Dec07 /> As the match was about to begin and after they had shaken hands, Maguire realised he had forgotten to bring his {{Cuegloss|Chalk|chalk}} with him and asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave the arena. While Maguire was away, Murphy spoke to the referee; the tournament director Mike Ganley was summoned and he docked Maguire a frame for technically not being ready to start at the scheduled time—an incident which angered and surprised Maguire.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1730660.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Top five frame dockings | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=1 May 2007 | accessdate=3 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name="rivalry">{{Cite web| url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/07/02/17/SNOOKER_Welsh_Higginson.html | publisher=''[[Sporting Life (newspaper)|Sporting Life]]'' | title=Higginson Revelling in Spotlight | date=17 February 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> Maguire won the match 5–2 and later commented: "Rules are rules but I've never heard of anything like that happening before".<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3714886.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Williams crashes out | date=4 October 2004 | accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref> Further incidents came in subsequent years. During the 2006 World Championship, Maguire said "I don't want to be a fat world champion", a reference to Murphy.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://news.williamhill.com/a/uk-championship/prepare-for-fireworks-as-murphy-and-maguire-go-to-war/ | publisher=[[William Hill (bookmaker)|William Hill]] | title=Prepare for fireworks as Murphy and Maguire go to war | first=Martin | last=Dalgleish | date=19 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> After beating Murphy in the [[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|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."<ref name="rivalry"/>
Murphy has been outspoken on several other of his rivals, criticising them for having too many toilet breaks and complaining about table conditions, among other things.<ref name="Everton (2009-12-9)"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Trevor |title=Murphy tables no complaints |date=23 April 2006 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2335788/Murphy-tables-no-complaints.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref> His harshest criticism has been reserved for [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], highlighting what he perceives to be O'Sullivan's lack of professionalism, and suggesting that his popularity in the game is not deserved.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ronnie gets a real Rocket |date=11 December 2010 |work=[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]] |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/3271606/Ronnie-gets-a-real-Rocket.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Speck |first=Ivan |title=Murphy re-opens old wounds by firing broadside at 'selfish' Rocket |date=23 April 2011 |work=[[Daily Mail]] |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1379772/Shaun-Murphy-opens-old-wounds-firing-broadside-selfish-Ronnie-OSullivan.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref>
Murphy realises that he is not well liked. <ref>http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/article580249.ece</ref>
==Playing style==
[[List of snooker player nicknames|Nicknamed]] "The Magician" and "The Whiston Warrior",<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16974_5626760,00.html | title=Warrior faces battle | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | first=Neal | last=Foulds | authorlink=Neal Foulds | date=14 October 2009 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> Murphy is noted for his straight cue action<ref name=Kidd />—which Davis once called "the best cue action I’ve ever seen"<ref name=Kidd />—his long potting,<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-451321/Parrott-sick-Murphy-powers-on.html | title=Parrott sick as Murphy powers on | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | date=28 April 2007 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and his breakbuilding.<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /> Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in ''[[The Times]]'' that Murphy has improved his tactical game since his World Championship victory.<ref name=Yates19Apr08 /> He has compiled [[List of snooker players with over 100 century breaks|more than 190 century breaks]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/snooker_stats(The_Game%26rsquo%3Bs_Top_50_Century_Makers)-1057.htm | title=The Game’s Top 50 Century Makers | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | year=2009 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Centuries.htm | title=Snooker's Leading Century Makers | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | year=2010 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> and has made one maximum break. His career earnings amount to £1,052,845 (up to the end of the 2008/2009 season).<ref name=yahoo />
==Personal life==
Murphy was born in [[Harlow]] and grew up in [[Irthlingborough]]. He moved to [[Rotherham]] during the 2003/2004 season to be with his fiancee,<ref name=Yates4May05 /> and has lived in [[Sale, Greater Manchester|Sale]] since the separation.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2009/0430/snooker.html | title=Murphy and Robertson all square | publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] | date=30 April 2009 | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref> Homeschooled from age 13 after being bullied at school,<ref name=Mott /><ref name=Kidd /> Murphy's 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.<ref name=Mott /><ref>For his father being a former professional golfer, see {{Cite web| url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61157016.html | title=The amazing stories of four boys tipped to become the main men of the next century | publisher=''[[The People]]'' (via [[HighBeam Research]]) | first=Jane | last=Simon | date=30 June 1996 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> During the [[2007 World Snooker Championship|2007 World Championship]], it was reported that he had developed a rift with his father who was a member of the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/news?articleid=2845456 | title=Champ's anguish at rift with dad | publisher=''[[Sheffield Star]]'' | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010 }}</ref><ref name=fightback>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm | title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=5 May 2007}}</ref> He said that they had not spoken in over a year, but that he would willingly speak to his father again if he was called.<ref name=fightback />
Murphy has been a devout [[Christian]] since the age of 17, after meeting a religious family on holiday.<ref name=Kidd /><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/life/snooker_champion_shares_his_faith/17590/p1/ | publisher=[[Cross Rhythms]] | title=Snooker Champion Shares His Faith | first=Mike | last=Rimmer | date=1 December 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He prays in his dressing room before every match,<ref name="rise"/> once said "I believe I was put here to play snooker well", and donates one-tenth of his income to the church.<ref name=Kidd /> He is known for his confidence,<ref name=Yates5Feb07 /> dedication,<ref name=Yates19Dec08 /> and well-spoken demeanor.
Murphy married fiancee Clare, whom he met on an online Christian chatroom, in July 2005.<ref name=Townsend16Apr06 /> They spent some of the summer of 2005 doing aid work in Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite news| title=The Crucible contenders | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1677033.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | accessdate=28 August 2010 | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=22 December 2008}}</ref> The pair separated in October 2008.<ref name=split /><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Snooker-star-Murphy-splits-from.4608499.jp | publisher=''[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]]'' | title=Snooker star Murphy splits from wife | date=20 October 2008 | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1R4TqK | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref> In an article in ''[[The People]]'' newspaper, Abigayle Tadeo, an escort girl and an old friend of Murphy's, claimed that the two had had sex in a hotel room in November 2008.<ref name=sex /><ref name=Tadeo />
==Performance and rankings timeline==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! '''Tournament'''
! [[Snooker season 1998/1999|1998/<br/>99]]
! [[Snooker season 1999/2000|1999/<br/>00]]
! [[Snooker season 2000/2001|2000/<br/>01]]
! [[Snooker season 2001/2002|2001/<br/>02]]
! [[Snooker season 2002/2003|2002/<br/>03]]
! [[Snooker season 2003/2004|2003/<br/>04]]
! [[Snooker season 2004/2005|2004/<br/>05]]
! [[Snooker season 2005/2006|2005/<br/>06]]
! [[Snooker season 2006/2007|2006/<br/>07]]
! [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/<br/>08]]
! [[Snooker season 2008/2009|2008/<br/>09]]
! [[Snooker season 2009/2010|2009/<br/>10]]
! [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/<br/>11]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" |[[Snooker world rankings|Ranking]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 1998/1999|UR]]<ref group="nb">New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking</ref>
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 1999/2000|147]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2000/2001|151]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2001/2002|169]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2002/2003|72]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2003/2004|64]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2004/2005|48]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2005/2006|21]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2006/2007|5]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2007/2008|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2008/2009|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2009/2010|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2010/2011|7]]
|-
|colspan="17" | '''Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Shanghai Masters (snooker)|Shanghai Masters]]
|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2007 Shanghai Masters|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Shanghai Masters|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 Shanghai Masters|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 Shanghai Masters|2R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Open (snooker)|World Open]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the names LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004) and Grand Prix (1998/1999–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 LG Cup (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 Grand Prix (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 UK Championship (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 UK Championship (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 UK Championship (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 UK Championship (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2010 UK Championship (snooker)|SF]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[German Masters]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| NR
|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 German Masters (snooker)|2R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;"| [[Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2008 Welsh Open (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 Welsh Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 Welsh Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Welsh Open (snooker)|1R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;"| [[China Open (snooker)|China Open]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the name China International (1998/1999)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 China Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 China Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2008 China Open (snooker)|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 China Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 China Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2008 China Open (snooker)|SF]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2002 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2005 World Snooker Championship|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 World Snooker Championship|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2009 World Snooker Championship|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
|-
|colspan="17" | '''Non-Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2001 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2008 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Premier League Snooker|Premier League]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Premier League Snooker (2005/06)|RR]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2009 Premier League Snooker|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2010 Premier League Snooker|F]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Wuxi Classic]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the name Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)</ref>
|align="center" colspan="10" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Jiangsu Classic|RR]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 Jiangsu Classic|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2010 Wuxi Classic|W]]'''
|-
|colspan="17"| '''Former Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Players Championship (snooker)|Scottish Open]]<ref group="nb" >The event ran under the name Players Championship (2003/2004)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 Scottish Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" colspan="7" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[British Open (snooker)|British Open]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 British Open (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2004 British Open (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Malta Cup]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the names European Open (2001/2002–2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Malta Cup|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Malta Cup|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2007 Malta Cup|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"| ''[[2008 Malta Cup|W]]''
|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Northern Ireland Trophy]]
|align="center" colspan="7" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"| ''[[2005 Northern Ireland Trophy|QF]]''
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 Northern Ireland Trophy|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 Northern Ireland Trophy|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Northern Ireland Trophy|2R]]
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Bahrain Championship]]
|align="center" colspan="10" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Bahrain Championship|1R]]
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:78%;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan="4"|Performance Table Legend
|-
| align="center" width="30"|NH
|tournament not held in that season
| align="center" width="30"|A
|did not participate in the tournament
|-
| align="center" width="30"|LQ
| lost in qualifying draw
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|#R
| lost in the early rounds of the tournament <br>(RR = round robin)
|-
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF
|advanced to but not past the quarter-finals
| align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF
|advanced to but not past the semi-finals
|-
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|F
|advanced to the final, tournament runner-up
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''W'''
|won the tournament
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
|align=center colspan=4|''Italics'' or NR|| means the event offered no ranking points for that season (this does not imply that those in roman type were ranking events)
|}
<small><references group="nb"/></small>
==Career finals==
===Ranking event finals: 7 (4 titles, 3 runner-ups)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| World Championship (1–1)
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| UK Championship (1–0)
|- bgcolor=
| Other (2–2)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]]
| [[World Snooker Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|18–16
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSC">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=World Professional Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| [[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|2006]]
| [[Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Stephen|Lee}}
| align="center"|4–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Welsh">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Welsh Open|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/welshopen.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| [[2007 Malta Cup|2007]]
| [[Malta Cup]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Ryan|Day}}
| align="center"|9–4
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Malta">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Malta Grand Prix, Malta Cup|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Malta.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[2008 China Open (snooker)|2008]]
| [[China Open (snooker)|China Open]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Stephen|Maguire}}
| align="center"|9–10
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner China">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Major Snooker Events in China|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/China.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#dfe2e9;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|2008]]
| [[UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|HKG}} {{sortname|Marco|Fu}}
| align="center"|10–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner UK">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=UK Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/uk.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[2009 World Snooker Championship|2009]]
| [[World Snooker Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|9–18
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSC"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4
| 2011
| [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|Players Tour Championship – Finals]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Martin|Gould}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=PTC|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ptc.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref>
|}
|}
===Non-ranking event finals: 11 (6 titles, 5 runner-ups)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| Masters (0–0)
|- bgcolor="d0f0c0"
| Premier League (1–1)
|-
| Other (5–4)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
|
| [[International Open Series|UK Tour 1997/1998 – Event 4]]
| {{Flagicon|NIR}} {{sortname|Patrick|Wallace}}
| align="center"|4–6
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=UK Tour, Challenge Tour|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[2001 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2000]]
| [[Masters Qualifying Event|Benson & Hedges Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Stuart|Bingham}}
| align="center"|9–7
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Benson & Hedges Championship, Masters Qualifying Tournament|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masqual.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
|
| [[International Open Series|Challenge Tour 2000/2001 – Event 3]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Andrew|Norman}}
| align="center"|6–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
|
| [[International Open Series|Challenge Tour 2000/2001 – Event 4]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Luke|Simmonds}}
| align="center"|6–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[2005 Pot Black|2005]]
| [[Pot Black]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|0–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Pot Black">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Pot Black, Junior Pot Black|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/PotBlack.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukl|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[2007 Pot Black|2007]]
| [[Pot Black]] <small>(2)</small>
| {{Flagicon|IRL}} {{sortname|Ken|Doherty}}
| align="center"|0–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Pot Black"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| [[2008 Malta Cup|2008]]
| [[Malta Cup]]
| {{Flagicon|IRL}} {{sortname|Ken|Doherty}}
| align="center"|9–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Malta"/>
|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 5.
| [[2009 Premier League Snooker|2009]]
| [[Premier League Snooker]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}
| align="center"|7–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Premier / Matchroom League|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 6.
| [[2010 Wuxi Classic|2010]]
| [[Wuxi Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|CHN}} [[Ding Junhui]]
| align="center"|9–8
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner China"/>
|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 4.
| [[2010 Premier League Snooker|2010]]
| [[Premier League Snooker]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}
| align="center"|1–7
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 5.
| [[2011 Championship League|2011]]
| [[Championship League]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|1–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League"/>
|}
|}
===Minor-ranking event finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1
| 2010
| [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 2|Brugge Open]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Matthew|Couch}}
| align="center"|4–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2010
| [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 5|Ruhr Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|2–4
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC"/>
|}
===Pro-am event finals: 5 (4 titles, 1 runner-up)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="#F9CCCA"
| World Series (2–1)
|-
| Other (2–0)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2008
| [[World Series of Snooker 2008/2009#Tournament in Berlin|World Series – Berlin event]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Graeme|Dott}}
| align="center"|1–6
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=World Series of Snooker|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/wss.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| 2008
| [[Paul Hunter Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Mark|Selby}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="GS PHC">{{cite web|title=Paul Hunter Classic History|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp|publisher=Global Snooker|accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| 2009
| [[World Series of Snooker 2008/2009#Grand Final|World Series – Grand Final]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|6–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS"/>
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| 2009
| {{nowrap|[[World Series of Snooker 2009/2010#Champion of Champions Challenge|World Series – Champion of Champions Challenge]]}}
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jimmy|White}}
| align="center"|5–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| 2009
| [[Paul Hunter Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jimmy|White}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="GS PHC"/>
|}
|}
==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name=yahoo>{{Cite web| url = http://uk.yahoo.eurosport.com/snooker/person_prs32333.shtml| title = Shaun Murphy| publisher = [[Eurosport|Eurosport UK]]| year = 2009| accessdate = 22 August 2010}}</ref>
}}
==External links==
* {{World Snooker|active|13165~2234645,00|23 August 2010|Shaun Murphy}}
* [http://www.global-snooker.com/Shaun-Murphy.asp Profile at Global Snooker]
* [http://prosnookerblog.com/players/shaun-murphy/ Profile at Pro Snooker Blog]
* {{Official website|http://www.shaunmurphy.net/}}
* {{Official website|http://www.shaun-murphy.co.uk/}}
{{World snooker champions}}
{{Top sixteen male snooker players}}
{{Cue sports bios}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Murphy Shaun
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = snooker player
| DATE OF BIRTH = 10 August 1982
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Harlow, England
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Shaun}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:English snooker players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Harlow]]
[[Category:English Christians]]
[[bg:Шон Мърфи]]
[[cs:Shaun Murphy]]
[[de:Shaun Murphy (Snookerspieler)]]
[[fr:Shaun Murphy (snooker)]]
[[it:Shaun Murphy]]
[[lt:Shaun Murphy]]
[[nl:Shaun Murphy]]
[[ja:ショーン・マーフィー (スヌーカー)]]
[[no:Shaun Murphy]]
[[pl:Shaun Murphy]]
[[pt:Shaun Murphy (jogador de snooker)]]
[[ru:Мёрфи, Шон]]
[[sk:Shaun Murphy]]
[[sl:Shaun Murphy (snooker)]]
[[fi:Shaun Murphy]]
[[sv:Shaun Murphy]]
[[tr:Shaun Murphy]]
[[zh:肖恩·墨菲]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Infobox snooker player
| name = Shaun Murphy
| image = Shaun Murphy at the Paul Hunter Classic 2008.jpg|alt=A dark-haired man, dressed in a white dress-shirt, black vest and black bow-tie
|caption = Murphy at the [[Paul Hunter Classic]] in 2008
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|8|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Harlow]], England
| Sport country = {{ENG}}
| Nickname = {{Unbulleted list|The Magician|The Whiston Warrior}}
| Professional = 1998–
| High ranking = 3 (3 years)
| Current rank = 7
| Prize money = £1,052,845 <small>(up to the end of 2008/2009)</small>
| High break = [[Maximum break|147]] <small>([[2002 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2001 Benson & Hedges Championship]])</small>
| Century break = 197
| Ranking wins = 4
| Minor wins = 1
| Other wins = 6
| World champ = [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]]
| website = {{url|http://www.shaun-murphy.co.uk/}}<br/>{{url|http://www.shaunmurphy.net/}}}}
'''Shaun Murphy''' (born 10 August 1982) is an English professional [[snooker]] player, who won the [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005 World Championship]]. [[List of snooker player nicknames|Nicknamed]] "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight [[Cue stick|cue]] action and his long potting. He is known for his dedication and for being a devout [[Christianity|Christian]].
Born in [[Harlow]], England, Murphy turned professional in 1998. His victory at the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] was considered a major surprise as he was only the second qualifier to lift the title. His other [[List of snooker tournaments|ranking tournament]] victories came in the [[2007 Malta Cup]] and the [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|2008 UK Championship]], while he reached a second World Championship final in [[2009 World Snooker Championship|2009]]. He also has won six non-ranking tournaments.
Murphy has won over £1 million in prize money and has [[List of snooker players with over 100 century breaks|compiled over 190 century breaks]] in his professional career. His highest [[Snooker world rankings|world ranking]] was number three, which he maintained for three seasons following [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/2008]], while his ranking for the [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/2011 season]] is seventh. Murphy also became engaged in a public rivalry with fellow player [[Stephen Maguire]], while his separation from his wife in 2008, after three years of marriage, made the headlines.
==Career==
Born in [[Harlow]], England, Murphy began playing [[snooker]] at the age of 8 after his parents bought him a [[Billiard table#Snooker tables|snooker table]] for Christmas.<ref name=Mott>{{Cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2359420/Murphy-earns-big-break.html | title=Murphy earns big break | publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | first=Sue | last=Mott | date=10 May 2005 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He made his first [[century break]] at the age of 10<ref name=dyk>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4508509.stm | title=Shaun Murphy – Did you know...? | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=5 May 2007}}</ref> and practised at the [[Rushden]] Snooker Centre, where players such as [[Stephen Hendry]], [[Mark Williams (Welsh snooker player)|Mark Williams]], and [[Ken Doherty]] have also practised.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/04/snooker.paulweaver | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy puts Rushden in frame | first=Paul |last=Weaver | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> At the age of 13, he secured a five-year £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with the [[Dr. Martens|Doc Martens]] shoe company<ref name=dyk /><ref name=Everton4Feb01>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1153418.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Murphy's got the right stuff | first=Clive | last=Everton | date=4 February 2001 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> and stated his ambitions of winning the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] and becoming [[List of snooker world number ones|world number one]].<ref name="rise">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4507087.stm|title=Murphy's rise to the world summit|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=3 May 2005|accessdate=2 July 2010 | first=Julian | last=Shea}} For the interview, see "Interview: Thirteen-year-old Shaun Murphy on his aspirations for his career in snooker".</ref> He turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15.<ref name=who>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4489329.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Who is Shaun Murphy? | first=Saj | last=Chowdhury |date=30 April 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref>
Murphy was coached by [[Steve Prest]] until the 2006/2007 season.<ref name=Yates5Feb07>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1329385.ece | title=Forgotten man Murphy relishing his long-awaited second coming | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=5 February 2007 | accessdate=30 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> [[Willie Thorne]]<ref name=Yates5Feb07 /> and [[Ray Reardon]] also gave him guidance,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1015807/I-quit-shocked-world-says-Crucible-hero-Murphy.html | title=I almost quit, then shocked the world says Crucible hero Murphy | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | first=Peter | last=Ferguson | date=17 April 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and when he was 15, he was given the latter's old [[cue stick|cue]] by his father.<ref name=Kidd />
===Early career===
Murphy began his career on the [[International Open Series|UK Tour]] (renamed the Challenge Tour in 2000), at the time the second-level professional tour. He was runner-up in the fourth event on the UK tour for the 1997/1998 season and, for the 2000/2001 season, won the third and fourth events on the Challenge Tour, topping the Order of Merit rankings .<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html | title=WPBSA Secondary Professional Tour | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award<ref>{{cite news| last=Chowdhury | first=Saj | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4489329.stm | title=Who is Shaun Murphy? | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=28 August 2010 | date=30 April 2005}}</ref> and one of six Young Player of Distinction of the Year awards from the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/uk_championship_snooker/1030338.stm | title=Young guns fall by the wayside | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=18 November 2000 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In 2000, he won the [[Paul Hunter English Open|English Open Championship]].<ref name=Everton4Feb01 />
Murphy won his first professional tournament at the [[2001 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2000 Benson & Hedges Championship]], defeating [[Mark Davis (snooker player)|Mark Davis]] by six {{Cuegloss|Frame|frames}} to one (6–1) in the semi-final,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1025369.stm | title=Murphy too strong for Davis | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=15 November 2000 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> and [[Stuart Bingham]] 9–7 in the final, recovering from 2–5 down.<ref name=BBC17Nov00>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1027402.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Murphy battles to claim crown | date=17 November 2000 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> Although he was not yet on the first-level main tour, this victory brought qualification for the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]]<ref name=BBC17Nov00 />—a prestigious non-ranking invitation tournament with places for members of the top 16, the winner of the [[Masters Qualifying Event|qualifying tournament]], and a limited number of wildcards. In [[2001 Masters (snooker)|the 2001 tournament]], he showed promise in his first televised match, defeating world number 15, [[Marco Fu]],<ref name=Everton4Feb01 /> and building a 4–1 lead over seven-time world champion Hendry, before losing the match.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1155000.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Hendry tames Murphy | date=5 February 2001 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He made his only [[maximum break]] in the [[2002 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2001 Benson & Hedges Championship]].<ref name=WS>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/player_list-7944.htm | title=Shaun Murphy | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>
===Early ranking results===
Murphy first reached the final stages of a ranking event at the [[2002 World Snooker Championship|2002 World Championship]], hosted at the [[Crucible Theatre]], where he lost 4–10 to Hendry in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1943567.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Hendry eases into second round | date=22 April 2002 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> In the [[Snooker season 2002/2003|2002/2003 season]], he reached the final stages of the [[2003 Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]], where he was defeated 3–5 by [[Drew Henry]] in the first round,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/so2003_res.shtml | title=Regal Scottish Open 2003 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> and the [[2003 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he lost 9–10 against Doherty on the final black in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/3358901.stm | title=Unsung heroes of the year | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | first=Phil | last=Harlow | date=31 December 2003 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref>
For the [[Snooker season 2003/2004|2003/2004 season]], Murphy was [[Snooker world rankings 2003/2004|ranked number 64]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0304/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2003/2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> and qualified for the final stages of three ranking tournaments. In the [[2003 LG Cup (snooker)|LG Cup]], Murphy defeated [[Steve Davis]] 5–4 in the second round,<ref name=BBC6Oct03>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3166420.stm | title=Murphy stuns Davis | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=6 October 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> before losing 2–5 to [[John Higgins (snooker player)|John Higgins]] in third round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3178908.stm | title=Stevens stuns O'Sullivan | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=9 October 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> After the victory over Davis, Murphy said "This is one of the greatest days in my snooker career."<ref name=BBC6Oct03 /> In the [[2003 British Open (snooker)|British Open]], he defeated [[Dave Harold]] 5–1 in the first round,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3254219.stm | title=Parrott falls at the first | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=9 November 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> before losing to [[Paul Hunter]] 2–5 in the second round.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3258455.stm | title=O'Sullivan returns to form | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 November 2003 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]]—the new name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual champion [[Jimmy White]] in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/pc2004_res.shtml | title=Daily Record Players Championship 2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> He failed to reach the [[2004 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], losing a qualifying match 7–10 against [[Stuart Pettman]], in which Pettman was docked a frame for arriving late.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3508547.stm | title=Pettman angry after victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 February 2004 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref>
For the [[Snooker season 2004/2005|2004/2005 season]], Murphy was [[Snooker world rankings 2004/2005|ranked number 48]]<ref name=04/05>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0405/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2004/2005 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> and reached the final stages of four ranking events, including the World Championship victory. In the [[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]]—the new name of the LG Cup—he lost 2–5 to [[Stephen Maguire]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/gp2004_res.shtml | title=totesport Grand Prix 2004 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> This was followed by his first ranking semi-final, at the [[2004 British Open (snooker)|British Open]], where he was whitewashed 0–6 by Higgins.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3987191.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=British Open draw | date=13 November 2004 | accessdate=4 July 2010}}</ref><ref name=Yates4May05>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article1079494.ece | title=Murphy gives warning of shape of things to come | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2005 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]], he lost 2–5 to [[Matthew Stevens]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/mc2005_res.shtml | title=Malta Cup 2005 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref>
===2005 World Championship===
{{Main|2005 World Snooker Championship}}
Murphy won two qualifying matches to qualify for the [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005 World Championship]]. He defeated former world champions Higgins 13–8, Davis 13–4, and [[Peter Ebdon]] 17–12 to reach the final to face Stevens, the world number six.<ref name=04/05 /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388897.stm | title=World Snooker draw and results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2005 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> He trailed Stevens 6–10 at the end of the first day (the World Championship final is played over two days),<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/02/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2005 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Stevens takes control as Murphy stutters | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=2 May 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> but made a comeback to bring the score to 16–16. He then made two frame-winning breaks to lift the title.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/may/03/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship20051 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy pots back to claim his crown | first=Paul |last=Weaver | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=4 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> His 11 century breaks were the most in that year's tournament.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4451759.stm | title=Crucible century breaks | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=27 April 2005 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref>
Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. His pre-tournament odds were 150–1, and before his win, he was considered an underachiever.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article575734.ece | title=Ruthless Murphy enjoys going from David to Goliath | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=7 October 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> He became only the second qualifier to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) after [[Terry Griffiths]] in [[1979 World Snooker Championship|1979]]. At the age of 22, Murphy was the second youngest player to win the World Championship, following Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21.<ref name=Yates4May05 /> No previous world champion had played as many matches (seven) to lift the title,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article387909.ece | title=Murphy savours his long road to glory | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=3 May 2005 | accessdate=22 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and he was the lowest ranked player, at number 48, to win the tournament.<ref name=BBC3Dec07>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7127086.stm | title=UK Championship 2007: Shaun Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 December 2007 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> No player had won the World Championship as his first ranking event win since [[Joe Johnson (snooker player)|Joe Johnson]] in [[1986 World Snooker Championship|1986]].<ref name=Yates4May05 /> His run in the tournament earned him the nickname "Magician" and the tournament doubled his previous career prize money, with which he purchased a [[Mercedes-Benz]] and a house.<ref name=Kidd>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28910-2135111,00.html | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Murphy seeks win and a prayer after taking cue from his faith | first=Patrick | last=Kidd | date=15 April 2006 | accessdate=2 |July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> After his win, in July 2005, he married his fiancee Clare.<ref name=Townsend16Apr06>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-emotional-year-for-long-journey-man-474347.html | title=Snooker: Emotional year for long journey man | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | first=Nick | last=Townsend | date=16 April 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=split>{{Cite web| url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1825937.ece | publisher=''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'' | title=Snooker ace splits from wife | first1=Gary | last1=O'Shea | first2=Andy | last2=Dillon | date=18 October 2008 | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1Wh20x | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref>
===2005/2006===
For the [[Snooker season 2005/2006|new season]], he improved his ranking to [[Snooker world rankings 2005/2006|number 21]],<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0506/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2005/2006 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-murphy-starts-new-journey-as-old-era-goes-up-in-smoke-494913.html | title=Snooker: Murphy starts new journey as old era goes up in smoke | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | first=Nick | last=Harris | date=4 May 2005 | accessdate=3 September 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He was invited to play in the [[2005 Premier League Snooker (2005/06)|Premier League Snooker]], a non-ranking tournament with a 25-a-second shot clock, but he went out in the round-robin stage.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://premierleaguesnooker.matchroomcms.com/results/2005_winter_results.htm | title=2005 (Winter) Results – 04/12/2005 | publisher=[[Premier League Snooker]] | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref>
In the inaugural, non-ranking [[2005 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]], he reached the quarter-finals before he was defeated 4–5 by [[Neil Robertson (snooker player)|Neil Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4167590.stm | title=Robertson comeback sinks Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=19 August 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the first three ranking events of the season—the [[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]], the [[2005 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], and the [[2006 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]]—he reached the last 16, losing final-frame matches to Bingham,<ref name=Everton14Oct05>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/oct/14/snooker.sport2 | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy blasts outside table after losing to Bingham | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=14 October 2005 | accessdate=4 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Robertson,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4526330.stm | title=Vintage Davis into quarter-finals | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 December 2005 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and [[Graeme Dott]],<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4674612.stm | title=Higgins overcomes illness to win | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 February 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> respectively. After his loss to Bingham, he complained about having to play his match on an outside table, given his world champion status.<ref name=Everton14Oct05 /> In the revival of [[2005 Pot Black|Pot Black]], a single-frame knockout tournament not staged since 1991,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4382776.stm | title=Pot Black returns | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=27 October 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> Murphy was defeated in the final by Stevens.<ref name=2005PB>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388810.stm | title=Stevens wins Pot Black comeback | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=29 October 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> He was awarded Sportsman Of The Year at the [[BBC East Midlands]] Sports Awards in December 2005.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2005/12/06/east_midlands_sports_awards_2005_feature.shtml | title=County triumphs at Sports' Awards | publisher=[[BBC Northamptonshire]] | date=6 December 2005 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>
In the [[2006 Masters (snooker)|Masters]], Murphy lost 4–6 to Higgins in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4632964.stm | title=Higgins sinks Murphy at Wembley | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 January 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> but reached his second ranking final in the [[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], losing 4–9 to [[Stephen Lee]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4777206.stm | title=Lee eases to Welsh Open victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=5 March 2006 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2006 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], he reached the quarter-finals, but fell victim to the "[[Crucible Curse]]"—no first-time champion has successfully defended the title at the Crucible Theatre<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2335342/Snooker-Murphy-aiming-to-exorcise-the-Crucible-curse.html | title=Snooker: Murphy aiming to exorcise the Crucible curse | publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | first=John | last=Dee | date=15 April 2006 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref>— when he was defeated 7–13 by Ebdon.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4869790.stm | title=Full World Championship results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2006 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref>
===2006/2007===
For the [[Snooker season 2006/2007|next season]], Murphy moved to [[Snooker world rankings 2006/2007|number five]] in the world rankings,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0607/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2006/2007 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref> entering the elite [[List of Top 16 snooker players|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 [[2006 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]] (a ranking event in this season), he lost 4–5 to Lee in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/5263986.stm | title=Speedy O'Sullivan into last four | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=18 August 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and in the [[2006 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], he lost 3–9 to [[Alan McManus]] in the second round.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6157563.stm | title=UK Championship draw & results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=5 December 2006}}</ref> A 3–6 defeat by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals of the [[2007 Masters (snooker)|Masters]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6260605.stm | title=2007 Masters Draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=18 January 2007}}</ref> was followed by his second ranking title, when he defeated [[Ryan Day]] 9–4 in the final of the [[2007 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6305805.stm | title=2007 Malta Cup Draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=2 September 2010 | date=27 January 2007}}</ref> After the victory, he said it was a relief to get rid of the one-hit wonder label.<ref name=BBC4Feb07>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6329895.stm | title=Murphy cruises to Malta victory | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 February 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In his next match, a victory over [[Jamie Cope]] in the [[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], he scored centuries in four consecutive frames, becoming only the second player to do this (after Higgins in the [[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|2005 Grand Prix]] final) and the only person to do so in a best-of-nine match.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6363307.stm | title=Magic Murphy sets century record | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 February 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He went on to lose 3–5 to Maguire in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6368197.stm | title=O'Sullivan suffers Welsh defeat | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=16 February 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2007 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], Murphy defeated Stevens 13–12 in the quarter-finals—recovering from 5–11 down and knocking the latter out of the top 16<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm | title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6618955.stm | title=Stevens dazed by Crucible defeat | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=3 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>—before losing 16–17 against [[Mark Selby]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6621799.stm | title=Selby pips Murphy to reach final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=5 May 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>
===2007/2008===
For the [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/2008 season]], he was [[Snooker world rankings 2007/2008|ranked number three]], his highest ever ranking,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0708/ranking.asp | title=Embassy World Rankings 2007/2008 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events, without winning any.
In the inaugural [[2007 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]], he was defeated 2–5 by [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]] in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/sm2007_res.shtml | title=Roewe Shanghai Masters 2007 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[2007 Pot Black|Pot Black]], where he was defeated by Doherty.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7031830.stm | title=Doherty secures Pot Black title | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=6 October 2007 | accessdate=25 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2007 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]], he reached the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], despite leading 5–2.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/gp2007_res.shtml | title=Royal London Watches Grand Prix 2007 | publisher=www.snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7054481.stm | title=Fu sets up O'Sullivan final clash | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 October 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> Further semi-finals followed at the [[2007 Northern Ireland Trophy|Northern Ireland Trophy]] and the [[2007 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], where he was defeated on both occasions by Maguire, 5–6<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7089092.stm | title=Maguire faces O'Brien in NI final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 November 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and 5–9,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7145388.stm | title=Superb Maguire claims final spot | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=14 December 2007 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> respectively, making it three consecutive semi-final losses. Before the UK Championship, he was provisionally ranked number one.<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /><ref name=Everton15Dec07>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/dec/15/snooker.sport | title=Maguire wins grudge match | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=15 December 2007 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He successfully defended his [[2008 Malta Cup|Malta Cup]] title (that year the tournament was not a ranking event) with a 9–3 victory over Doherty in the final.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7238078.stm | title=Murphy thrashes Doherty in final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 February 2008 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In the [[2008 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], he defeated Selby 6–3 in the semi-final<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7320396.stm | title=Maguire sinks 147 to reach final | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=29 March 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>—his sixth semi-final in the past seven ranking events<ref name=BBC26Apr10>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7368836.stm | title=Super Carter breezes past Murphy | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=26 April 2008 | accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>—but lost 9–10 to Maguire in the final.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7321721.stm | title=Maguire holds nerve for China win | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=30 March 2008 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> Before the World Championship, he was again provisional number one.<ref name=Yates19Apr08>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3775482.ece | title=Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to prove age is no barrier | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=19 April 2008 | accessdate=30 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref>
In the [[2008 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], as one of the favourties, he reached the second round, before losing 4–13 to [[Allister Carter|Ali Carter]].<ref name=BBC26Apr10 /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7346265.stm | title=World Championship draw | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 April 2008 | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> After his loss, Murphy criticised the state of the tables.<ref name=BBC26Apr10 /> Up to this point, on the five occasions Murphy had been defeated at the Crucible Theatre, his conqueror had always gone on to lose the World Championship final.
===2008/2009===
Murphy maintained his [[Snooker world rankings 2008/2009|number three ranking]] for the [[Snooker season 2008/2009|2008/2009 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0809/ranking.asp | title=World Rankings 2008/2009 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> He won the non-ranking [[Paul Hunter Classic]], defeating Selby 4–0 in the final,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp | title=Paul Hunter Classic History | publisher=global-snooker.com | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> but lost in the first round of the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 defeat by world number 47 [[Mike Dunn (snooker player)|Mike Dunn]] in the [[2008 Bahrain Championship|Bahrain Championship]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/nov/09/snooker | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy's season goes from bad to worse with Bahrain defeat | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=10 November 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> In October, Murphy and his wife separated, after three years of marriage, and he did not wear his wedding ring in the [[2008 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]].<ref name=split />
Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed to the split from his wife<ref name=Yates19Dec08>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article5367882.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy's luck changes as he puts himself back in frame | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=19 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref>—Murphy claimed his third ranking title at the [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], defeating Fu 10–9 in a low-quality final, in which he fluked a pink in the deciding frame that was effectively match ball.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/dec/22/snooker | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy rides luck to snatch UK title with fluke pink in last frame | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=22 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article5380682.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy finally edges fighting Marco Fu | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=22 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> The victory meant he joined Davis, [[Alex Higgins]], Griffiths, [[John Parrott]], Hendry, O'Sullivan, Williams, John Higgins and Ebdon as the tenth player to have won both the World title and the UK title, cementing his place as one of the elite top players in the world.
In the [[2009 World Snooker Championship|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]]. However, nothing transpired and he defeated Higginson 10–8, although his wife's parents were present in the arena and were asked to leave.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/apr/22/snooker-murphy-higginson-fu | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Murphy overcomes health and wife fears to set up Fu showdown | date=22 April 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=Pitt>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article6210750.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Shaun Murphy goes distance to reach final | first=Nick | last=Pitt | date=3 May 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He went on to defeat Fu 13–3, Hendry 13–11, and Robertson 17–14 to earn a place in his second world final, with two-time world champion Higgins as the opponent.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7987891.stm | title=World Snooker 2009 | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=3 September 2010 | date=25 April 2009}}</ref> In the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day, and was beaten 18–9 by Higgins.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8032814.stm | title=Higgins earns third world crown | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=4 May 2010 | accessdate=18 May 2009 | first=Mark | last=Ashenden}}</ref> On the first day of the final, a newspaper published a "kiss and tell" story involving Murphy.<ref name=sex>{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-murphy-shows-the-strain-on-a-day-to-forget-1678575.html | publisher=''[[The Independent]]'' | title=Snooker: Murphy shows the strain on a day to forget | first=Nick | last=Harris | date=4 May 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name=Tadeo>{{Cite web| url=http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=snooker-hero-murphy-and-pound-100-escort&method=full&objectid=21328337&siteid=93463-name_page.html | title=Snooker Hero Murphy and £100 an hour escort | publisher=''[[The People]]'' | first=Daniel | last=Jones | accessdate=22 August 2010 | date=3 May 2009}}</ref>
===2009/2010===
Murphy maintained his [[Snooker world rankings 2009/2010|number three ranking]] for a third year in the [[Snooker season 2009/2010|2009/2010 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0910/ranking.asp | title=World Rankings 2009/2010 | publisher=snooker.org (WWW Snooker) | accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> He successfully defended his [[Paul Hunter Classic]] title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Global-Snooker-News-160809-Paul-Hunter-Classic-final.asp | title=Murphy retains Paul Hunter Classic title | publisher=globalsnooker.com | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1Gavkn | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref> He won the [[2009 Premier League Snooker|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.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12243_5733174,00.html | title=Murphy ends Ronnie's reign | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | date=30 November 2009 | accessdate=30 November 2009}}</ref>
He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the [[2009 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]], before losing 5–6 against [[Liang Wenbo]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8240873.stm | title=Shanghai Masters results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=13 September 2009}}</ref> This would be his only run to the semi-finals or better in a ranking tournament that season. In the [[2009 UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]], as the defending champion, he lost 5–9 to eventual winner [[Ding Junhui]] in the second round.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8390702.stm | title=UK Championship 2009 – full results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=5 December 2009}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Everton (2009-12-9)">{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/dec/09/snooker-told-limit-loo-breaks | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | title=Snooker told to limit loo breaks | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=9 December 2009 | accessdate=2 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He reached the quarter-finals of the [[2010 Masters (snooker)|Masters]], where he lost 4–6 against Williams.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8418809.stm | title=Masters snooker final - Frame scores from Wembley | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=16 January 2010}}</ref> In the [[2010 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] and the [[2010 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], he lost his first-round matches to Stevens<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jan/26/matthew-stevens-newport-shaun-murphy | title=Matthew Stevens surprises Newport with win over Shaun Murphy | publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' | first=Clive | last=Everton | authorlink=Clive Everton | date=26 January 2010 | accessdate=23 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and [[Nigel Bond]],<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8595160.stm | title=China Open draw and results | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=30 August 2010 | date=2 April 2010}}</ref> respectively. In the [[2010 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], he defeated [[Gerard Greene]] and Ding, but lost 12–13 against Carter in the quarter-finals, despite leading 8–4.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8620855.stm | title=World Championship results | accessdate=30 August 2010 | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=15 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8649244.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Graeme Dott and Ali Carter make world semi-finals | date=28 April 2010 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> This was the first season in which he did not reach a final or better of a ranking tournament since the 2003/2004 season.
===2010/2011===
After three seasons ranked number three, he dropped to [[Snooker world rankings 2010/2011|number seven]] for the [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/2011 season]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rankings5.html | title=World Rankings (from 2010/11) | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref> He won the [[2010 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]], a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding 9–8, recovering from 2–8 down.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12243_6193953,00.html | title=Murphy comeback stuns Ding | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | date=6 June 2010 | accessdate=30 August}}</ref> Murphy reached the semi-finals of the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 1|Paul Hunter Classic]], now part of the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011|Players Tour Championship]] minor-ranking series, but lost 2–4 against eventual winner [[Judd Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/EPTC1_Draw.htm?tid=187 | title=Euro Players Tour Championship 1 Drawsheet | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | accessdate=9 September 2010}}</ref> Murphy won the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 2|Brugge Open]], the second European event of the Players Tour Championship, with defeating [[Matthew Couch]] 4–2 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/PTC6_news(Murphy_Enjoys_Comfortable_Couch_Victory)-2673.htm?tid=188|title=Murphy Enjoys Comfortable Couch Victory|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=4 October 2010|accessdate=4 October 2010}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 5|Ruhr Championship]], but lost 2–4 against [[John Higgins (snooker player)|John Higgins]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/EPTC5_Draw.htm?tid=192|title=Euro Players Tour Championship 5 Drawsheet|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=22 October 2010|accessdate=22 October 2010}}</ref> Murphy finished 1st on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2010|title=2010/2011 PTC Order of Merit|publisher=WWW Snooker|date=21 November 2010|accessdate=21 November 2010}}</ref> Murphy failed to defend his [[2010 Premier League Snooker|Premier League Snooker]] title, as he lost 1–7 against [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker Play-Offs|url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com//results/2010_partycasinocom_premier_league_snooker_playoffs.htm|publisher=Premier League Snooker|accessdate=27 November 2010}}</ref> He than reached the semi-finals of the [[2010 UK Championship (snooker)|2010 UK Championship]], where he lost to eventuel runner-up [[Mark Williams (Welsh snooker player)|Mark Williams]] 8–9.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 12BET.com UK Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=23|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=23 November 2010}}</ref>
Murphy lost in the first round of the [[2011 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] 3–6 against [[Jamie Cope]],<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Masters|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=29|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=17 December 2010}}</ref> in the second round of the [[2011 German Masters|German Masters]] 2–5 against [[Joe Swail]]<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 German Masters|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=24|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=24 January 2011}}</ref> and in the first round of the [[2011 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] 0–4 against [[Matthew Stevens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Welsh Open|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=25|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=3 January 2011}}</ref> Murphy then won the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|finals]] of the [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|Players Tour Championship]], by defeating [[Martin Gould]] 4–0 in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=PTC 2010/2011 Finals|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=32|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=22 December 2010}}</ref> The next week Murphy also reached the final of the [[2011 Championship League|Championship League]], but lost 1–3 against [[Matthew Stevens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 CLS – Winners Group results|url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com/championship/results/2011_cls_winners_group_results.htm|publisher=Championship League|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref> Murphy reached the semi-final of the [[2011 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], where he lost 1–6 against [[Judd Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|title=China Open (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=27|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref> Murphy's last tournament of the season was the [[2011 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he lost in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Betfred.com World Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=28|publisher=WWW Snooker|accessdate=26 April 2011}}</ref>
==Rivalry==
Murphy has clashed with [[Stephen Maguire]], another of the 2000 Young Players of Distinction, on several occasions. During their [[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|2004 Grand Prix]] match, Murphy was instrumental in Maguire forfeiting a frame.<ref name=Everton15Dec07 /> As the match was about to begin and after they had shaken hands, Maguire realised he had forgotten to bring his {{Cuegloss|Chalk|chalk}} with him and asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave the arena. While Maguire was away, Murphy spoke to the referee; the tournament director Mike Ganley was summoned and he docked Maguire a frame for technically not being ready to start at the scheduled time—an incident which angered and surprised Maguire.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1730660.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | title=Top five frame dockings | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=1 May 2007 | accessdate=3 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name="rivalry">{{Cite web| url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/07/02/17/SNOOKER_Welsh_Higginson.html | publisher=''[[Sporting Life (newspaper)|Sporting Life]]'' | title=Higginson Revelling in Spotlight | date=17 February 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> Maguire won the match 5–2 and later commented: "Rules are rules but I've never heard of anything like that happening before".<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3714886.stm | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | title=Williams crashes out | date=4 October 2004 | accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref> Further incidents came in subsequent years. During the 2006 World Championship, Maguire said "I don't want to be a fat world champion", a reference to Murphy.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://news.williamhill.com/a/uk-championship/prepare-for-fireworks-as-murphy-and-maguire-go-to-war/ | publisher=[[William Hill (bookmaker)|William Hill]] | title=Prepare for fireworks as Murphy and Maguire go to war | first=Martin | last=Dalgleish | date=19 December 2008 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> After beating Murphy in the [[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|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."<ref name="rivalry"/>
Murphy has been outspoken on several other of his rivals, criticising them for having too many toilet breaks and complaining about table conditions, among other things.<ref name="Everton (2009-12-9)"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Trevor |title=Murphy tables no complaints |date=23 April 2006 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2335788/Murphy-tables-no-complaints.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref> His harshest criticism has been reserved for [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], highlighting what he perceives to be O'Sullivan's lack of professionalism, and suggesting that his popularity in the game is not deserved.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ronnie gets a real Rocket |date=11 December 2010 |work=[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]] |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/3271606/Ronnie-gets-a-real-Rocket.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Speck |first=Ivan |title=Murphy re-opens old wounds by firing broadside at 'selfish' Rocket |date=23 April 2011 |work=[[Daily Mail]] |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1379772/Shaun-Murphy-opens-old-wounds-firing-broadside-selfish-Ronnie-OSullivan.html |accessdate=22 June 2011}}</ref> Murphy's forthright manner has made him unpopular with some of the other professional players.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dillon |first=Andrew |title=Shaun: I hate old pals act |date=14 December 2007 |work=[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]] |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/article580249.ece |accessdate=23 June 2011}}
==Playing style==
[[List of snooker player nicknames|Nicknamed]] "The Magician" and "The Whiston Warrior",<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16974_5626760,00.html | title=Warrior faces battle | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | first=Neal | last=Foulds | authorlink=Neal Foulds | date=14 October 2009 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> Murphy is noted for his straight cue action<ref name=Kidd />—which Davis once called "the best cue action I’ve ever seen"<ref name=Kidd />—his long potting,<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-451321/Parrott-sick-Murphy-powers-on.html | title=Parrott sick as Murphy powers on | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | date=28 April 2007 | accessdate=25 August 2010 | location=London}}</ref> and his breakbuilding.<ref name=BBC3Dec07 /> Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in ''[[The Times]]'' that Murphy has improved his tactical game since his World Championship victory.<ref name=Yates19Apr08 /> He has compiled [[List of snooker players with over 100 century breaks|more than 190 century breaks]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/snooker_stats(The_Game%26rsquo%3Bs_Top_50_Century_Makers)-1057.htm | title=The Game’s Top 50 Century Makers | publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] | year=2009 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Centuries.htm | title=Snooker's Leading Century Makers | publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (Chris Turner's Snooker Archive) | year=2010 | accessdate=22 August 2010}}</ref> and has made one maximum break. His career earnings amount to £1,052,845 (up to the end of the 2008/2009 season).<ref name=yahoo />
==Personal life==
Murphy was born in [[Harlow]] and grew up in [[Irthlingborough]]. He moved to [[Rotherham]] during the 2003/2004 season to be with his fiancee,<ref name=Yates4May05 /> and has lived in [[Sale, Greater Manchester|Sale]] since the separation.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2009/0430/snooker.html | title=Murphy and Robertson all square | publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] | date=30 April 2009 | accessdate=3 September 2010}}</ref> Homeschooled from age 13 after being bullied at school,<ref name=Mott /><ref name=Kidd /> Murphy's 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.<ref name=Mott /><ref>For his father being a former professional golfer, see {{Cite web| url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61157016.html | title=The amazing stories of four boys tipped to become the main men of the next century | publisher=''[[The People]]'' (via [[HighBeam Research]]) | first=Jane | last=Simon | date=30 June 1996 | accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref> During the [[2007 World Snooker Championship|2007 World Championship]], it was reported that he had developed a rift with his father who was a member of the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/news?articleid=2845456 | title=Champ's anguish at rift with dad | publisher=''[[Sheffield Star]]'' | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=2 July 2010 }}</ref><ref name=fightback>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm | title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=2 May 2007 | accessdate=5 May 2007}}</ref> He said that they had not spoken in over a year, but that he would willingly speak to his father again if he was called.<ref name=fightback />
Murphy has been a devout [[Christian]] since the age of 17, after meeting a religious family on holiday.<ref name=Kidd /><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/life/snooker_champion_shares_his_faith/17590/p1/ | publisher=[[Cross Rhythms]] | title=Snooker Champion Shares His Faith | first=Mike | last=Rimmer | date=1 December 2005 | accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> He prays in his dressing room before every match,<ref name="rise"/> once said "I believe I was put here to play snooker well", and donates one-tenth of his income to the church.<ref name=Kidd /> He is known for his confidence,<ref name=Yates5Feb07 /> dedication,<ref name=Yates19Dec08 /> and well-spoken demeanor.
Murphy married fiancee Clare, whom he met on an online Christian chatroom, in July 2005.<ref name=Townsend16Apr06 /> They spent some of the summer of 2005 doing aid work in Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite news| title=The Crucible contenders | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1677033.ece | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | accessdate=28 August 2010 | location=London | first=Phil | last=Yates | date=22 December 2008}}</ref> The pair separated in October 2008.<ref name=split /><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Snooker-star-Murphy-splits-from.4608499.jp | publisher=''[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]]'' | title=Snooker star Murphy splits from wife | date=20 October 2008 | accessdate=11 November 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5uC1R4TqK | archivedate=11 November 2010}}</ref> In an article in ''[[The People]]'' newspaper, Abigayle Tadeo, an escort girl and an old friend of Murphy's whom he had met at a religious youth group, claimed that the two had sex in a hotel room in November 2008. Murphy's manager confirmed that Murphy slept with Tadeo.<ref name=sex /><ref name=Tadeo />
==Performance and rankings timeline==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! '''Tournament'''
! [[Snooker season 1998/1999|1998/<br/>99]]
! [[Snooker season 1999/2000|1999/<br/>00]]
! [[Snooker season 2000/2001|2000/<br/>01]]
! [[Snooker season 2001/2002|2001/<br/>02]]
! [[Snooker season 2002/2003|2002/<br/>03]]
! [[Snooker season 2003/2004|2003/<br/>04]]
! [[Snooker season 2004/2005|2004/<br/>05]]
! [[Snooker season 2005/2006|2005/<br/>06]]
! [[Snooker season 2006/2007|2006/<br/>07]]
! [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/<br/>08]]
! [[Snooker season 2008/2009|2008/<br/>09]]
! [[Snooker season 2009/2010|2009/<br/>10]]
! [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/<br/>11]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" |[[Snooker world rankings|Ranking]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 1998/1999|UR]]<ref group="nb">New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking</ref>
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 1999/2000|147]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2000/2001|151]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2001/2002|169]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2002/2003|72]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2003/2004|64]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2004/2005|48]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2005/2006|21]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2006/2007|5]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2007/2008|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2008/2009|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2009/2010|3]]
| align="center" |[[Snooker world rankings 2010/2011|7]]
|-
|colspan="17" | '''Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Shanghai Masters (snooker)|Shanghai Masters]]
|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2007 Shanghai Masters|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Shanghai Masters|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 Shanghai Masters|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 Shanghai Masters|2R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Open (snooker)|World Open]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the names LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004) and Grand Prix (1998/1999–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 LG Cup (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 Grand Prix (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 Grand Prix (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 UK Championship (snooker)|3R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 UK Championship (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 UK Championship (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 UK Championship (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2010 UK Championship (snooker)|SF]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[German Masters]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| NR
|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 German Masters (snooker)|2R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;"| [[Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Welsh Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2008 Welsh Open (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 Welsh Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 Welsh Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Welsh Open (snooker)|1R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;"| [[China Open (snooker)|China Open]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the name China International (1998/1999)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 China Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 China Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2008 China Open (snooker)|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 China Open (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2010 China Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2008 China Open (snooker)|SF]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2002 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 World Snooker Championship|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2005 World Snooker Championship|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 World Snooker Championship|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2009 World Snooker Championship|F]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 World Snooker Championship|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 World Snooker Championship|2R]]
|-
|colspan="17" | '''Non-Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Masters (snooker)|The Masters]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2001 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2008 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2009 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 Masters (snooker)|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Masters (snooker)|1R]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Premier League Snooker|Premier League]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| A
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Premier League Snooker (2005/06)|RR]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|A
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2009 Premier League Snooker|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2010 Premier League Snooker|F]]
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Wuxi Classic]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the name Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)</ref>
|align="center" colspan="10" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Jiangsu Classic|RR]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 Jiangsu Classic|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2010 Wuxi Classic|W]]'''
|-
|colspan="17"| '''Former Ranking Tournaments'''
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Players Championship (snooker)|Scottish Open]]<ref group="nb" >The event ran under the name Players Championship (2003/2004)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 Scottish Open (snooker)|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" colspan="7" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[British Open (snooker)|British Open]]
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"| LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2003 British Open (snooker)|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2004 British Open (snooker)|SF]]
|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Malta Cup]]<ref group="nb">The event ran under the names European Open (2001/2002–2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999)</ref>
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="color:#cccccc;"|LQ
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Malta Cup|1R]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Malta Cup|2R]]
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''[[2007 Malta Cup|W]]'''
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"| ''[[2008 Malta Cup|W]]''
|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Northern Ireland Trophy]]
|align="center" colspan="7" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"| ''[[2005 Northern Ireland Trophy|QF]]''
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2006 Northern Ireland Trophy|QF]]
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|[[2007 Northern Ireland Trophy|SF]]
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Northern Ireland Trophy|2R]]
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | [[Bahrain Championship]]
|align="center" colspan="10" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 Bahrain Championship|1R]]
|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#cccccc;"| Not Held
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:78%;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan="4"|Performance Table Legend
|-
| align="center" width="30"|NH
|tournament not held in that season
| align="center" width="30"|A
|did not participate in the tournament
|-
| align="center" width="30"|LQ
| lost in qualifying draw
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|#R
| lost in the early rounds of the tournament <br>(RR = round robin)
|-
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF
|advanced to but not past the quarter-finals
| align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF
|advanced to but not past the semi-finals
|-
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|F
|advanced to the final, tournament runner-up
|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|'''W'''
|won the tournament
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
|align=center colspan=4|''Italics'' or NR|| means the event offered no ranking points for that season (this does not imply that those in roman type were ranking events)
|}
<small><references group="nb"/></small>
==Career finals==
===Ranking event finals: 7 (4 titles, 3 runner-ups)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="#e5d1cb"
| World Championship (1–1)
|- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
| UK Championship (1–0)
|- bgcolor=
| Other (2–2)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]]
| [[World Snooker Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|18–16
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSC">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=World Professional Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| [[2006 Welsh Open (snooker)|2006]]
| [[Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Stephen|Lee}}
| align="center"|4–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Welsh">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Welsh Open|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/welshopen.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| [[2007 Malta Cup|2007]]
| [[Malta Cup]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Ryan|Day}}
| align="center"|9–4
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Malta">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Malta Grand Prix, Malta Cup|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Malta.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[2008 China Open (snooker)|2008]]
| [[China Open (snooker)|China Open]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Stephen|Maguire}}
| align="center"|9–10
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner China">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Major Snooker Events in China|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/China.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#dfe2e9;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| [[2008 UK Championship (snooker)|2008]]
| [[UK Championship (snooker)|UK Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|HKG}} {{sortname|Marco|Fu}}
| align="center"|10–9
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner UK">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=UK Championship|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/uk.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[2009 World Snooker Championship|2009]]
| [[World Snooker Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|9–18
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSC"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4
| 2011
| [[Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals|Players Tour Championship – Finals]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Martin|Gould}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=PTC|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ptc.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref>
|}
|}
===Non-ranking event finals: 11 (6 titles, 5 runner-ups)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="ffffcc"
| Masters (0–0)
|- bgcolor="d0f0c0"
| Premier League (1–1)
|-
| Other (5–4)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
|
| [[International Open Series|UK Tour 1997/1998 – Event 4]]
| {{Flagicon|NIR}} {{sortname|Patrick|Wallace}}
| align="center"|4–6
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=UK Tour, Challenge Tour|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| [[2001 Masters (snooker)#Qualifying|2000]]
| [[Masters Qualifying Event|Benson & Hedges Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Stuart|Bingham}}
| align="center"|9–7
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Benson & Hedges Championship, Masters Qualifying Tournament|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masqual.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
|
| [[International Open Series|Challenge Tour 2000/2001 – Event 3]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Andrew|Norman}}
| align="center"|6–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
|
| [[International Open Series|Challenge Tour 2000/2001 – Event 4]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Luke|Simmonds}}
| align="center"|6–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Secondary"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 2.
| [[2005 Pot Black|2005]]
| [[Pot Black]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|0–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Pot Black">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Pot Black, Junior Pot Black|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/PotBlack.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukl|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 3.
| [[2007 Pot Black|2007]]
| [[Pot Black]] <small>(2)</small>
| {{Flagicon|IRL}} {{sortname|Ken|Doherty}}
| align="center"|0–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Pot Black"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| [[2008 Malta Cup|2008]]
| [[Malta Cup]]
| {{Flagicon|IRL}} {{sortname|Ken|Doherty}}
| align="center"|9–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner Malta"/>
|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 5.
| [[2009 Premier League Snooker|2009]]
| [[Premier League Snooker]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}
| align="center"|7–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Premier / Matchroom League|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archvie|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 6.
| [[2010 Wuxi Classic|2010]]
| [[Wuxi Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|CHN}} [[Ding Junhui]]
| align="center"|9–8
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner China"/>
|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 4.
| [[2010 Premier League Snooker|2010]]
| [[Premier League Snooker]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}
| align="center"|1–7
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 5.
| [[2011 Championship League|2011]]
| [[Championship League]]
| {{Flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}
| align="center"|1–3
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner League"/>
|}
|}
===Minor-ranking event finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1
| 2010
| [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 2|Brugge Open]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Matthew|Couch}}
| align="center"|4–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC"/>
|-
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2010
| [[Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 5|Ruhr Championship]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|2–4
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner PTC"/>
|}
===Pro-am event finals: 5 (4 titles, 1 runner-up)===
{|
| valign=top width=40% align=left |
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''Legend'''
|- bgcolor="#F9CCCA"
| World Series (2–1)
|-
| Other (2–0)
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|width="80"|'''Outcome'''
|width="20"|'''No.'''
|width="50"|'''Year'''
|width="250"|'''Championship'''
|width="200"|'''Opponent in the final'''
|align="center" width="50"|'''Score'''
|width="30"|'''Ref.'''
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up
| 1.
| 2008
| [[World Series of Snooker 2008/2009#Tournament in Berlin|World Series – Berlin event]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Graeme|Dott}}
| align="center"|1–6
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=World Series of Snooker|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/wss.html|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 1.
| 2008
| [[Paul Hunter Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Mark|Selby}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="GS PHC">{{cite web|title=Paul Hunter Classic History|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp|publisher=Global Snooker|accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 2.
| 2009
| [[World Series of Snooker 2008/2009#Grand Final|World Series – Grand Final]]
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins (snooker player)}}
| align="center"|6–2
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS"/>
|-style="background:#F9CCCA;"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 3.
| 2009
| {{nowrap|[[World Series of Snooker 2009/2010#Champion of Champions Challenge|World Series – Champion of Champions Challenge]]}}
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jimmy|White}}
| align="center"|5–1
| align="center"|<ref name="Turner WSoS"/>
|-
| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner
| 4.
| 2009
| [[Paul Hunter Classic]]
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jimmy|White}}
| align="center"|4–0
| align="center"|<ref name="GS PHC"/>
|}
|}
==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name=yahoo>{{Cite web| url = http://uk.yahoo.eurosport.com/snooker/person_prs32333.shtml| title = Shaun Murphy| publisher = [[Eurosport|Eurosport UK]]| year = 2009| accessdate = 22 August 2010}}</ref>
}}
==External links==
* {{World Snooker|active|13165~2234645,00|23 August 2010|Shaun Murphy}}
* [http://www.global-snooker.com/Shaun-Murphy.asp Profile at Global Snooker]
* [http://prosnookerblog.com/players/shaun-murphy/ Profile at Pro Snooker Blog]
* {{Official website|http://www.shaunmurphy.net/}}
* {{Official website|http://www.shaun-murphy.co.uk/}}
{{World snooker champions}}
{{Top sixteen male snooker players}}
{{Cue sports bios}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Murphy Shaun
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = snooker player
| DATE OF BIRTH = 10 August 1982
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Harlow, England
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Shaun}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:English snooker players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Harlow]]
[[Category:English Christians]]
[[bg:Шон Мърфи]]
[[cs:Shaun Murphy]]
[[de:Shaun Murphy (Snookerspieler)]]
[[fr:Shaun Murphy (snooker)]]
[[it:Shaun Murphy]]
[[lt:Shaun Murphy]]
[[nl:Shaun Murphy]]
[[ja:ショーン・マーフィー (スヌーカー)]]
[[no:Shaun Murphy]]
[[pl:Shaun Murphy]]
[[pt:Shaun Murphy (jogador de snooker)]]
[[ru:Мёрфи, Шон]]
[[sk:Shaun Murphy]]
[[sl:Shaun Murphy (snooker)]]
[[fi:Shaun Murphy]]
[[sv:Shaun Murphy]]
[[tr:Shaun Murphy]]
[[zh:肖恩·墨菲]]' |
