Shaun Murphy was ‘totally blown away’ as he joined one of the most elite clubs in snooker.
Murphy cruised to a 5-0 victory over Zhou Jinhao in their second round match at the 2025 World Open in Yushan, China.
But it was the way in which he capped off the win that made it a memorable outing for Murphy, as he sealed the game with a maximum 147-break.
A 147 maximum break is achieved when a player pots all 15 red balls, all 15 black balls and then the colours.
The fabled 147 break is the equivalent of a nine-dart leg in darts or a hole-in-one in golf.
Murphy shared his delight at picking up the victory on X after the match.
“Well, what a day,” Murphy wrote.
“Delighted to win against a very dangerous opponent with a very bright future.
“So happy to make my 700th career century and to finish off with a 147. I’m totally blown away.”
Murphy’s maximum against Jinhao marked the tenth time he’d hit a 147 break in his career.
It meant the 42-year-old entered rarefied air, as he became just the fourth player to have made ten or more 147 breaks.
The other three to have done so include snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan (15 times), John Higgins (13 times) and Stephen Hendry (11 times).
Murphy’s latest maximum break is the second he’s notched this year having accomplished the feat at the Masters in January.
He hit the 147 break in his semi-final victory over Mark Allen, marking the sixth time in tournament history a player had hit a maximum.
Along with the satisfaction of making a maximum break at the Masters, Murphy picked up £15,000 for his troubles as that is the prize given to the player with the highest break of the tournament.
Unfortunately the prize money for the highest break at the World Open isn’t as high as what was on offer at the Masters.
However, if Murphy’s 147 break remains the highest in Yushan, he will pocket £5,000.
The 42-year-old, seeded eighth, will take on Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the round of 32.
