Shaun Murphy

Early Years

As one of the Young Players of Distinction in 2000, he was long expected to become a star, but his progress was gradual until his world championship in 2005. His previous best performance was reaching the semi-finals of the British Open in 2004. He also reached the Crucible in 2002 and 2003.

Style

Murphy is best noted for his excellent cue action and his consistent long potting. Murphy, who picked up a cue at age 8, is coached by Steve Prest, who says his pupil has spent a lot of time perfecting his cue action and developing the tactical side of his game.

Professional Career

The highlight of Murphy's career was the 2005 Snooker World Championship, where he beat former world champions John Higgins (13-8), Steve Davis (13-4), Peter Ebdon (17-12), and finalist Matthew Stevens (18-16) to win the title.

At the age of 22, Murphy became the second youngest player ever to win the World Championships, following Stephen Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21. He also became only the second-ever qualifier to win the World Championships, the other being Terry Griffiths in 1979.

Murphy began the 2005 World Championships ranked number 48 on the world ranking and with the odds of 125-1. He had to play two qualifying matches to reach the final stages. Never before had a World Champion played that many matches (7 in total) to lift the title. After winning the title he was ranked number 21, which makes him the first World Champion to start the new season outside of the top 16.

In the first three events of the 2005/2006 season, he reached the last 16, losing deciding-frame matches to Stuart Bingham, Neil Robertson and Graeme Dott. He was more successful at the Welsh Open, reaching the final before losing to Stephen Lee.

Despite his faith, he could not overcome the perhaps darker force otherwise known as the "Crucible Curse" (no first-time champion ever successfully defending the title at the Crucible) in the 2006 World Championships losing in the quarter-finals, 13-7 to Peter Ebdon.

Personal Life

Murphy was born in Northampton, but lives in Rotherham with his wife Clare, whom he met on an online Christian chatroom. He has told the BBC Snooker that he found faith as a teenager, and sees it as the biggest influence on his life, praying before each match.

According to his Worldsnooker.com profile, Murphy spent a part of a recent summer doing humanitarian work in Zimbabwe.

Murphy is a keen piano player and single-figure handicap golfer.

Ranked Tournaments Won

World Championship: 2005