Shaun Murphy

Shaun Peter Murphy was born on 10 August 1982 in Harlow, England.{{cite web|title=Shaun Peter MURPHY – Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/1pwuOzEvkrfapnJlCX1zkofOeRk/appointments|publisher=Companies House|access-date=20 January 2018}} Murphy began playing snooker at the age of eight after his parents bought him a snooker table for Christmas.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2359420/Murphy-earns-big-break.html|title=Murphy earns big break|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first=Sue|last=Mott|date=10 May 2005|access-date=25 August 2010|location=London, UK}} He made his first century break at the age of 10{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4508509.stm|title=Shaun Murphy – Did you know...?|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2005|access-date=5 May 2007}} and practised at the Rushden Snooker Centre, where players such as Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty have also played.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/may/04/snooker.paulweaver|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Murphy puts Rushden in frame|first=Paul |last=Weaver|date=4 May 2005|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London}} At the age of 13, he secured a five-year £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with the Doc Martens shoe company{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1153418.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Murphy's got the right stuff|first=Clive|last=Everton|date=4 February 2001|access-date=22 August 2010}} and stated his ambitions of winning the World Championship and becoming world number one.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4507087.stm|title=Murphy's rise to the world summit|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2005|access-date=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". He turned professional in 1998 at the age of 15.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4489329.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Who is Shaun Murphy?|first=Saj|last=Chowdhury |date=30 April 2005|access-date=2 July 2010}}

Murphy was coached by Steve Prest until the 2006–07 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/forgotten-man-murphy-relishing-his-long-awaited-second-coming-zrf2z5g8mf9|title=Forgotten man Murphy relishing his long-awaited second coming|newspaper=The Times|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=5 February 2007|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London, UK}} He also received guidance from Willie Thorne and Ray Reardon,{{Cite web|date=19 March 2020|title=Murphy Regains Magic Touch|url=https://wst.tv/murphy-regains-magic-touch/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320211340/https://wst.tv/murphy-regains-magic-touch/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2020|access-date=8 May 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} and when he was 15 he was given Reardon's old cue by his father.

Murphy began his career on the UK Tour in 1998 (renamed the Challenge Tour in 2000), at the time the second-level professional tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.cuetracker.net/pages/players.php?ID=4&season=1997/1998|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221222724/http://www.cuetracker.net/pages/players.php?ID=4&season=1997/1998|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2013|title=Shaun Murphy – Season 1997/1998|access-date=16 January 2013}} He was runner-up in the fourth event on the UK tour for the 1997–98 season and, for the 2000–01 season, won the third and fourth events on the Challenge Tour, topping the Order of Merit rankings.{{Cite web| url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228200859/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/challenge.html|archive-date=28 February 2012|title=WPBSA Secondary Professional Tour|publisher=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|access-date=28 August 2010}}

In 2000, he received the World Snooker Newcomer of the Year award and one of six Young Player of Distinction of the Year awards from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2000/uk_championship_snooker/1030338.stm|title=Young guns fall by the wayside|work=BBC Sport|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=18 November 2000|access-date=28 August 2010}} In 2000, he won the English Open Championship.

Murphy won his first professional tournament at the 2000 Benson & Hedges Championship, defeating Mark Davis 6–1 in the semi-final,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/1025369.stm|title=Murphy too strong for Davis|work=BBC Sport|date=15 November 2000|access-date=23 August 2010}} and Stuart Bingham 9–7 in the final, recovering from 2–5 down.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/1027402.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Murphy battles to claim crown|date=17 November 2000|access-date=2 July 2010}} Although he was not yet on the first-level main tour, this victory brought qualification for the Masters—a prestigious non-ranking invitation tournament with places for members of the top 16, the winner of the qualifying tournament and a limited number of wildcards. In the 2001 tournament, he showed promise in his first televised match, defeating world number 15, Marco Fu, and building a 4–1 lead over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, before losing the match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1155000.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Hendry tames Murphy|date=5 February 2001|access-date=2 July 2010}} He made his first maximum break in the 2001 Benson & Hedges Championship.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/player_list-7944.htm|title=Shaun Murphy profile|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=31 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206081522/http://www.worldsnooker.com/player_list-7944.htm|archive-date=6 December 2010 }}

Murphy first reached the final stages of a ranking event at the 2002 World Championship, hosted at the Crucible Theatre, where he lost 4–10 to Stephen Hendry in the first round.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/world_champs_2002/1943567.stm | work=BBC Sport|title=Hendry eases into second round | date=22 April 2002|access-date=2 July 2010}} In the 2002–03 season, he reached the final stages of the Scottish Open, where he was defeated 3–5 by Drew Henry in the first round,{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/so2003_res.shtml|title=Regal Scottish Open 2003|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=2 September 2010}} and the World Championship, where he lost 9–10 against Ken Doherty on the final black in the first round.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/3358901.stm|title=Unsung heroes of the year|work=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=Harlow|date=31 December 2003|access-date=22 August 2010}}

For the 2003–04 season, Murphy was ranked number 64{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0304/ranking.asp|title=Embassy World Rankings 2003/2004|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=31 August 2010}} and qualified for the final stages of three ranking tournaments. In the LG Cup, he defeated Steve Davis 5–4 in the second round,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3166420.stm|title=Murphy stuns Davis|work=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2003|access-date=28 August 2010}} before losing 2–5 to John Higgins in the third.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3178908.stm|title=Stevens stuns O'Sullivan|work=BBC Sport|date=9 October 2003|access-date=28 August 2010}} After the victory over Davis, Murphy said "This is one of the greatest days in my snooker career." In the British Open, he defeated Dave Harold 5–1 in the first round,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3254219.stm|title=Parrott falls at the first|work=BBC Sport|date=9 November 2003|access-date=28 August 2010}} before losing to Paul Hunter 2–5 in the second round.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3258455.stm|title=O'Sullivan returns to form|work=BBC Sport|date=10 November 2003|access-date=28 August 2010}}

In the Players Championship—the new name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual champion Jimmy White in the second round.{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/pc2004_res.shtml|title=Daily Record Players Championship 2004|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=2 September 2010}} He failed to reach the World Championship, losing a qualifying match 7–10 against Stuart Pettman, in which Pettman was docked a frame for arriving late.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3508547.stm|title=Pettman angry after victory|work=BBC Sport|date=20 February 2004|access-date=25 August 2010}}

Murphy was ranked number 48 for the 2004–05 season{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0405/ranking.asp|title=Embassy World Rankings 2004/2005|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=25 August 2010}} and reached the final stages of four ranking events. In the Grand Prix—the new name of the LG Cup—he lost 2–5 to Stephen Maguire in the first round.{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/gp2004_res.shtml|title=totesport Grand Prix 2004|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=31 August 2010}} This was followed by his first ranking semi-final, at the British Open, where he was whitewashed 0–6 by John Higgins.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3987191.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=British Open draw|date=13 November 2004|access-date=4 July 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/murphy-gives-warning-of-shape-of-things-to-come-59n2w65p9l0|title=Murphy gives warning of shape of things to come|newspaper=The Times|location=London, UK|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=4 May 2005|access-date=29 April 2021}} In the Malta Cup, he lost 2–5 to Matthew Stevens in the first round.{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/mc2005_res.shtml|title=Malta Cup 2005|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=3 September 2010}}

Murphy won two qualifying matches to reach the main stage of the 2005 World Championship and then defeated former world champions Higgins 13–8, Steve Davis 13–4 and Peter Ebdon 17–12 to reach the final where he faced Stevens, the world number six.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388897.stm|title=World Snooker draw and results|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2005|access-date=30 August 2010}} After trailing 6–10 at the end of the first day (the World Championship final is played over two days),{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/may/02/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2005|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Stevens takes control as Murphy stutters|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=2 May 2005|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London, UK}} he made a comeback to level the score at 16–16. He then made two frame-winning breaks to lift the title.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/may/03/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship20051|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Murphy pots back to claim his crown|first=Paul|last=Weaver|date=3 May 2005|access-date=4 July 2010|location=London, UK}} His 11 century breaks were the most in that year's tournament.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4451759.stm|title=Crucible century breaks|work=BBC Sport|date=27 April 2005|access-date=22 August 2010}}

Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. His pre-tournament odds were 150–1 and before his win he was considered an underachiever.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/snooker/article/ruthless-murphy-enjoys-going-from-david-to-goliath-8cvq6msh7ck|title=Ruthless Murphy enjoys going from David to Goliath|newspaper=The Times|location=London, UK|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=7 October 2005|access-date=29 April 2021}} He became only the third qualifier to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) after Alex Higgins in 1972 and Terry Griffiths in 1979. Aged 22, Murphy was the second-youngest player to win the World Championship, following Stephen Hendry who first lifted the title when he was 21. No previous world champion had played as many matches (seven) to lift the title,{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/snooker/article/murphy-savours-his-long-road-to-glory-j9d5zzksw9t|title=Murphy savours his long road to glory|newspaper=The Times|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=3 May 2005|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London}} and he was the lowest-ranked player, at number 48, to win the tournament.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7127086.stm|title=UK Championship 2007: Shaun Murphy|work=BBC Sport|date=4 December 2007|access-date=30 August 2010}} No player had won the World Championship as his first ranking event win since Joe Johnson in 1986. Murphy's run in the tournament earned him the nickname "The Magician" and the tournament doubled his previous career prize money, with which he purchased a house and a Mercedes-Benz.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/article/snooker-murphy-seeks-win-and-a-prayer-after-taking-cue-from-his-faith-j8j7q25bvsv|newspaper=The Times|title=Murphy seeks win and a prayer after taking cue from his faith|first=Patrick|last=Kidd|date=15 April 2006|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London, UK}} After his win, in July 2005, he married his fiancée Clare.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-emotional-year-for-long-journey-man-474347.html|title=Snooker: Emotional year for long journey man|newspaper=The Independent|first=Nick|last=Townsend|date=16 April 2006|access-date=25 August 2010|location=London, UK|archive-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108214013/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-emotional-year-for-long-journey-man-474347.html|url-status=dead}}

For the new season, Murphy improved his ranking to number 21,{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0506/ranking.asp|title=Embassy World Rankings 2005/2006|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=27 August 2010}} 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).{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/snooker-murphy-starts-new-journey-as-old-era-goes-up-in-smoke-257393.html|title=Snooker: Murphy starts new journey as old era goes up in smoke|newspaper=The Independent|first=Nick|last=Harris|date=4 May 2005|access-date=3 September 2010|location=London, UK}} He was invited to play in the Premier League Snooker, a non-ranking tournament with a 25-a-second shot clock, but he went out in the round-robin stage.{{Cite web|url=http://premierleaguesnooker.matchroomcms.com/results/2005_winter_results.htm |title=2005 (Winter) Results |publisher=Premier League Snooker |access-date=3 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227195757/http://premierleaguesnooker.matchroomcms.com/results/2005_winter_results.htm |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}

He reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural, non-ranking Northern Ireland Trophy before being defeated 4–5 by Neil Robertson.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4167590.stm|title=Robertson comeback sinks Murphy|work=BBC Sport|date=19 August 2005|access-date=28 August 2010}} In the first three ranking events of the season—the Grand Prix, the UK Championship and the Malta Cup—Murphy reached the last 16, losing final-frame matches to Stuart Bingham,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/14/snooker.sport2|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Murphy blasts outside table after losing to Bingham|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=14 October 2005|access-date=4 July 2010|location=London}} Robertson,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4526330.stm|title=Vintage Davis into quarter-finals|work=BBC Sport|date=14 December 2005|access-date=28 August 2010}} and Graeme Dott,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4674612.stm|title=Higgins overcomes illness to win|work=BBC Sport|date=2 February 2006|access-date=28 August 2010}} respectively. After his loss to Bingham, he complained about having to play his match on an outside table, given his world champion status. In the revival of Pot Black, a single-frame knockout tournament not staged since 1991,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4382776.stm|title=Pot Black returns|work=BBC Sport|date=27 October 2005|access-date=23 August 2010}} he was defeated in the final by Matthew Stevens.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4388810.stm|title=Stevens wins Pot Black comeback|work=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2005|access-date=23 August 2010}} Murphy was awarded Sportsman of the Year at the BBC East Midlands Sports Awards in December 2005.{{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|access-date=23 August 2010}}

At the Masters, Murphy lost 4–6 to John Higgins in the quarter-finals,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4632964.stm|title=Higgins sinks Murphy at Wembley|work=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2006|access-date=25 August 2010}} but reached his second ranking final in the Welsh Open, losing 4–9 to Stephen Lee.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4777206.stm|title=Lee eases to Welsh Open victory|work=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2006|access-date=22 August 2010}} In the World Championship, he reached the quarter-finals, but fell victim to the so-called "Crucible curse", where no first-time champion has successfully defended the title at the Crucible Theatre,{{cite news|url=https://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|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first=John|last=Dee|date=15 April 2006|access-date=25 August 2010|location=London}} when he was defeated 7–13 by Peter Ebdon.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4869790.stm|title=Full World Championship results|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2006|access-date=30 August 2010}}

For the next season, Murphy moved to number five in the world rankings,{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0607/ranking.asp|title=Embassy World Rankings 2006/2007|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=27 August 2010}} entering the elite 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 Northern Ireland Trophy (a ranking event in this season), he lost 4–5 to Stephen Lee in the quarter-finals,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/5263986.stm|title=Speedy O'Sullivan into last four|work=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2006|access-date=28 August 2010}} and in the UK Championship, he lost 3–9 to Alan McManus in the second round.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6157563.stm|title=UK Championship draw & results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 September 2010|date=5 December 2006}} A 3–6 defeat by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals of the Masters{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6260605.stm|title=2007 Masters Draw|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 September 2010|date=18 January 2007}} was followed by his second ranking title, when he defeated Ryan Day 9–4 in the final of the Malta Cup.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6305805.stm|title=2007 Malta Cup Draw|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 September 2010|date=27 January 2007}} After the victory, he said it was a relief to get rid of the one-hit wonder label.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6329895.stm|title=Murphy cruises to Malta victory|work=BBC Sport|date=4 February 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}} In his next match, a victory over Jamie Cope in the Welsh Open, he scored centuries in four consecutive frames, becoming only the second player to do so (after John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final) and the only person to achieve this in a best-of-nine-frames match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6363307.stm|title=Magic Murphy sets century record|work=BBC Sport|date=14 February 2007|access-date=2 July 2010}} He went on to lose 3–5 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6368197.stm|title=O'Sullivan suffers Welsh defeat|work=BBC Sport|date=16 February 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}} In the World Championship, Murphy defeated Matthew Stevens 13–12 in the quarter-finals—recovering from 5–11 down and knocking Stevens out of the top 16{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm|title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6618955.stm|title=Stevens dazed by Crucible defeat|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}}—before losing 16–17 against Mark Selby in the semi-finals.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6621799.stm|title=Selby pips Murphy to reach final|work=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}}

For the 2007–08 season, Murphy was ranked number three, his highest-ever ranking,{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0708/ranking.asp|title=Embassy World Rankings 2007/2008|publisher=snooker.org (Snooker.org) | access-date=28 August 2010}} and reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events but without winning any.

In the inaugural Shanghai Masters, he was defeated 2–5 by Ian McCulloch in the first round.{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/sm2007_res.shtml|title=Roewe Shanghai Masters 2007|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=28 August 2010}} He reached the final of the 2007 Pot Black tournament, where he was defeated by Ken Doherty.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7031830.stm|title=Doherty secures Pot Black title|work=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2007|access-date=25 August 2010}} In the Grand Prix, he reached the semi-finals, where he lost 5–6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan, despite an earlier 5–2 lead.{{Cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/gp2007_res.shtml|title=Royal London Watches Grand Prix 2007|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=28 August 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7054481.stm|title=Fu sets up O'Sullivan final clash|work=BBC Sport|date=20 October 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}} Further semi-finals followed at the Northern Ireland Trophy and the UK Championship, where he was defeated on both occasions by Stephen Maguire, 5–6{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7089092.stm|title=Maguire faces O'Brien in NI final|work=BBC Sport|date=10 November 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}} and 5–9,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7145388.stm|title=Superb Maguire claims final spot|work=BBC Sport|date=14 December 2007|access-date=28 August 2010}} respectively, making it three consecutive semi-final losses. Before the UK Championship, Murphy was provisionally ranked world number one.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/dec/15/snooker.sport|title=Maguire wins grudge match|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=15 December 2007|access-date=23 August 2010|location=London, UK}} He successfully defended his Malta Cup title (that year the tournament was not a ranking event) with a 9–3 victory over Doherty in the final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7238078.stm|title=Murphy thrashes Doherty in final|work=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2008|access-date=28 August 2010}} In the China Open, he defeated Mark Selby 6–3 in the semi-finals{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7320396.stm|title=Maguire sinks 147 to reach final|work=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2008|access-date=23 August 2010}}—his sixth semi-final appearance in the past seven ranking events{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7368836.stm|title=Super Carter breezes past Murphy|work=BBC Sport|date=26 April 2008|access-date=28 August 2010}}—but lost 9–10 to Maguire in the final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7321721.stm|title=Maguire holds nerve for China win|work=BBC Sport|date=30 March 2008|access-date=23 August 2010}}

Before the World Championship, Murphy was again provisional world number one.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/snooker/article/ronnie-osullivan-aims-to-prove-age-is-no-barrier-v3rkh75tf9q|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to prove age is no barrier|newspaper=The Times|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=19 April 2008|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London, UK}} As one of the favourites for the championship, he reached the second round where he lost 4–13 to Ali Carter.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7346265.stm|title=World Championship draw|work=BBC Sport|date=20 April 2008|access-date=30 August 2010}} After his loss, Murphy criticised the state of the tables.

File:PHC01.jpg before the final of the 2008 Paul Hunter Classic]]

Murphy maintained his number three ranking for the 2008–09 season.{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0809/ranking.asp|title=World Rankings 2008/2009|publisher=snooker.org|access-date=31 August 2010}} He won the non-ranking Paul Hunter Classic, defeating Mark Selby 4–0 in the final,{{Cite web|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp|title=Paul Hunter Classic History|publisher=global-snooker.com|access-date=30 August 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609230133/http://www.global-snooker.com/Paul-Hunter-Classic-Historic-Results.asp|archive-date=9 June 2012}} but lost in the first round of the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 defeat by world number 47 Mike Dunn in the Bahrain Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/nov/09/snooker|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Murphy's season goes from bad to worse with Bahrain defeat|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=10 November 2008|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London, UK}} Murphy and his wife separated in October, after three years of marriage.{{Cite web

| title = Snooker star Shaun 'separates from wife'

| work = northamptonchron.co.uk

| date = 18 October 2008

| access-date = 16 January 2020

| url = https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/snooker-star-shaun-separates-from-wife-1-933684

}}{{Dead link|date=October 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed to the split from his wife{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/shaun-murphys-luck-changes-as-he-puts-himself-back-in-frame-mqlzt6xrmgc|newspaper=The Times|title=Shaun Murphy's luck changes as he puts himself back in frame|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=19 December 2008|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London, UK}}—he claimed his third ranking title at the UK Championship, defeating Marco Fu 10–9 in a low-quality final, in which he fluked a pink in the deciding frame that was effectively match ball.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/dec/22/snooker|work=Guardian.co.uk|title=Murphy rides luck to snatch UK title with fluke pink in last frame|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=22 December 2008|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London, UK}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/shaun-murphy-finally-edges-fighting-marco-fu-gbcp0l55x8j|newspaper=The Times|title=Shaun Murphy finally edges fighting Marco Fu|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=22 December 2008|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London}} The victory meant that Murphy joined Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, John Parrott, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins and Peter Ebdon as one of only ten players to have won both the World title and the UK title.

In the 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. He defeated Higginson 10–8 without incident, although his wife's parents were present in the arena and were asked to leave.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/22/snooker-murphy-higginson-fu|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Murphy overcomes health and wife fears to set up Fu showdown|date=22 April 2009|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London, UK}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/snooker/article/shaun-murphy-goes-distance-to-reach-final-53gpcx68g3n|newspaper=The Times|title=Shaun Murphy goes distance to reach final|first=Nick|last=Pitt|date=3 May 2009|access-date=29 April 2021|location=London}} He went on to defeat Fu 13–3, Hendry 13–11 and Neil Robertson 17–14, to earn a place in his second world final with two-time world champion Higgins as his opponent.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7987891.stm|title=World Snooker 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 September 2010|date=25 April 2009}} In the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day and was beaten 9–18 by Higgins.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8032814.stm|title=Higgins earns third world crown|work=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2009|first=Mark|last=Ashenden}} On the first day of the final, a newspaper published a "kiss and tell" story involving Murphy.

File:Shaun Murphy PHC09 02.jpg]]

Murphy maintained his number three ranking for a third year in the 2009–10 season.{{Cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0910/ranking.asp | title=World Rankings 2009/2010 | publisher=snooker.org (Snooker.org) | access-date=30 August 2010}} He successfully defended his Paul Hunter Classic title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.{{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 |access-date=11 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227140228/http://www.global-snooker.com/Global-Snooker-News-160809-Paul-Hunter-Classic-final.asp |archive-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=usurped }} He won the 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.{{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 | access-date=30 November 2009}}

He reached the semi-finals of the first ranking tournament, the Shanghai Masters, before losing 5–6 against Liang Wenbo.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8240873.stm|title=Shanghai Masters results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010|date=13 September 2009}} This would be his only run to the semi-finals or better in a ranking tournament that season. In the UK Championship, as the defending champion, he lost 5–9 to eventual winner Ding Junhui in the second round.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8390702.stm|title=UK Championship 2009 – full results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010|date=5 December 2009}} 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."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/dec/09/snooker-told-limit-loo-breaks|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Snooker told to limit loo breaks|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=9 December 2009|access-date=2 July 2010|location=London, UK}} He reached the quarter-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 against Mark Williams.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8418809.stm|title=Masters snooker final – Frame scores from Wembley|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010|date=16 January 2010}} In the Welsh Open and the China Open, he lost his first-round matches to Matthew Stevens{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/26/matthew-stevens-newport-shaun-murphy|title=Matthew Stevens surprises Newport with win over Shaun Murphy|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Clive|last=Everton|author-link=Clive Everton|date=26 January 2010|access-date=23 August 2010|location=London, UK}} and Nigel Bond,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8595160.stm|title=China Open draw and results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010|date=2 April 2010}} respectively. In the World Championship, he defeated Gerard Greene and Ding, but lost 12–13 against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals, despite leading 8–4.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8620855.stm|title=World Championship results|access-date=30 August 2010|work=BBC News|date=15 April 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8649244.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Graeme Dott and Ali Carter make world semi-finals|date=28 April 2010|access-date=2 July 2010}} This was the first season in which he did not reach a final or better of a ranking tournament since the 2003–04 season.

After three seasons ranked world number three, Murphy dropped to number seven for the 2010–11 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/HistoricRank3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313150350/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/HistoricRank3.html|archive-date=13 March 2012|title=World Rankings (from 2010/11)|website=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|access-date=2 September 2010}} He won the Wuxi Classic, a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding Junhui 9–8 after recovering from 2–8 down.{{Cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12243_6193953,00.html|title=Murphy comeback stuns Ding|work=Sky Sports|date=6 June 2010|access-date=30 August 2010}} He progressed to the semi-finals of the Paul Hunter Classic, the first European event of the season's Players Tour Championship minor-ranking series, but lost 2–4 to eventual winner Judd Trump.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2363069,00.html|title=Euro Players Tour Championship 1|website=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=9 September 2010}} Murphy won the Brugge Open, the second European event of the series, defeating Matthew Couch 4–2 in the final.{{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|access-date=4 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007111358/http://www.worldsnooker.com/PTC6_news%28Murphy_Enjoys_Comfortable_Couch_Victory%29-2673.htm?tid=188|archive-date=7 October 2010}} He then reached the final of the Ruhr Championship, but lost 2–4 against John Higgins.{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2363023,00.html|title=Euro Players Tour Championship 5|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|date=22 October 2010|access-date=22 October 2010}} Murphy finished first on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit,{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2010|title=2010/2011 PTC Order of Merit|website=Snooker.org|date=21 November 2010|access-date=21 November 2010}} but could not defend his Premier League Snooker title, as he lost 1–7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.{{cite web|title=2010 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker Play-offs |url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com//results/2010_partycasinocom_premier_league_snooker_playoffs.htm |website=premierleaguesnooker.com |access-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211025506/http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com//results/2010_partycasinocom_premier_league_snooker_playoffs.htm |archive-date=11 December 2013 }} He reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship, where he lost to eventual runner-up Mark Williams 8–9.{{cite web|title=2010 12BET.com UK Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=23|website=Snooker.org|access-date=23 November 2010}}

Murphy lost in the first round of the Masters 3–6 against Jamie Cope,{{cite web|title=2011 Masters|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=29|website=Snooker.org|access-date=17 December 2010}} in the second round of the German Masters 2–5 against Joe Swail,{{cite web|title=2011 German Masters|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=24|website=Snooker.org|access-date=24 January 2011}} and in the first round of the Welsh Open 0–4 against Matthew Stevens.{{cite web|title=2011 Welsh Open|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=25|website=Snooker.org|access-date=3 January 2011}} He won his fourth ranking title in March 2011,{{cite web|title=Shaun Murphy wins the PTC Grand Final|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2320663,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|date=20 March 2011 |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=7 September 2011}} with a 4–0 victory over Martin Gould in the finals of the Players Tour Championship.{{cite web|title=PTC 2010/2011 Finals|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=32|website=Snooker.org|access-date=22 December 2010}} The following week, he also reached the final of the Championship League, but lost 1–3 against Stevens.{{cite web|title=2011 CLS – Winners Group results|url=http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com/championship/results/2011_cls_winners_group_results.htm|website=premierleaguesnooker.com|access-date=24 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326041755/http://www.premierleaguesnooker.com/championship/results/2011_cls_winners_group_results.htm|archive-date=26 March 2011}} He progressed to the semi-final of the China Open, where he lost 1–6 against Trump.{{cite web|title=China Open (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=27|website=Snooker.org|access-date=23 February 2011}} Murphy's last tournament of the season was the World Championship, where he lost in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.{{cite web|title=2011 Betfred.com World Championship|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=28|website=Snooker.org|access-date=26 April 2011}}

Murphy began the 2011–12 season ranked number seven.{{cite web |title=Rankings after 2011 World Championship |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/64/71/0,,13165~160100,00.pdf |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614041647/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/64/71/0,,13165~160100,00.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2012 }} He could not defend his Wuxi Classic title, as he lost 3–6 against Ali Carter.{{cite web|title=Selby holds off Ding to set up Carter final|url=http://au.eurosport.com/snooker/selby-reaches-wuxi-final_sto2864418/story.shtml|publisher=Eurosport Australia|access-date=9 September 2011}} Murphy reached the semi-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 2–6 against eventual champion Stuart Bingham.{{cite web|title=2011 Australian Goldfields Open Main Draw|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0,,13165~2394712,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=6 July 2011}} At the Shanghai Masters Murphy reached the quarter-finals, but lost 4–5 against Mark Selby.{{cite web|title=2011 Shanghai Masters Draw|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0,,13165~2441317,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=9 September 2011}} Murphy's next tournament was the Brazil Masters, where he defeated Graeme Dott 5–0 in the final. Murphy also participated at the Premier League and ended the league stage with two wins and four losses. As a result, he did not advance to the play-off.{{cite web|title=Premier League (2011) |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=107 |publisher=Snooker.org |access-date=1 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127201849/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=107 |archive-date=27 November 2011 |url-status=dead }} Murphy then reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, but lost 3–6 against Ricky Walden.{{cite web|title=UK Championship (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=98|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=12 October 2011}} He also participated at the Players Tour Championship, where his best results came at the Warsaw Classic and the Kay Suzanne Memorial Trophy, where he reached the quarter-finals, but lost 3–4 against Neil Robertson and 2–4 against Matthew Stevens respectively.{{cite web|title=Shaun Murphy 2011/2012 stats|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=97&season=2011|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=2 March 2012}} He finished number 37 on the Order of Merit,{{cite web |title=PTC Order of Merit after PTC12 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/ae/98/0,,13165~170158,00.pdf |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=29 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210225922/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/ae/98/0,,13165~170158,00.pdf |archive-date=10 December 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2011|title=Order of Merit|publisher=Snooker.org|date=8 January 2012|access-date=8 January 2012}} and could not qualify to the Finals to defend his title.{{cite web|title=Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 Entry Pack for Event 11 and 12|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/87/92/0,,13165~168583,00.pdf|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=8 December 2011}}

Murphy reached his first Masters final,{{cite web|title=Three Tons Help Murphy Stun Higgins|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2584797,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=22 January 2012}} but lost 6–10 against Robertson.{{cite web|title=Masters (2012)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=104|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=28 October 2011}} Murphy then reached the semi-finals of the next two ranking tournaments, but lost 0–6 against Stephen Maguire at the German Masters,{{cite web|title=2012 PartyPoker.net German Masters results |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2204254,00.html |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=1 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016201933/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2204254%2C00.html |archive-date=16 October 2011 }} 2–6 against Ding Junhui at the Welsh Open.{{cite web|title=2012 Welsh Open draw and format|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0,,13165~2608577,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=19 February 2012}} He then lost in the quarter-finals of the World Open 0–5 against Mark Selby.{{cite news|title=2012 World Open scores and schedule|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17157508|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 March 2012}} Murphy ended the season with two first round losses. He lost 2–5 against wild-card Lu Ning at the China Open and 8–10 against Jamie Jones at the World Snooker Championship.{{cite web|title=2012 China Open results |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2395611,00.html |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=24 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118222743/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2395611%2C00.html |archive-date=18 January 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0,,13165~2741487,00.html |title=2012 Betfred.com World Championship Draw |publisher=World Snooker |access-date=20 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423162435/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0%2C%2C13165~2741487%2C00.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 }}

File:Shaun Murphy PHC 2012.jpg]]

File:Shaun Murphy at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2013-01-30 11.jpg]]

Murphy began the 2012–13 season ranked number six.{{cite web|title=Rankings after 2012 World Championship |date=8 May 2012 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |work=World Snooker |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=19 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616125200/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0%2C%2C13165~176157%2C00.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2013 }} The first tournament for Murphy was the Wuxi Classic, where he lost in the first round 1–5 against Ken Doherty.{{cite web | url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=175 | title=Wuxi Classic (2012) | publisher=Snooker.org | access-date=4 June 2012}} Murphy's next tournament was the Six-red World Championship, where he finished first in Group E with four wins out of five matches and advanced to the knock-out stage.{{cite web|title=Six Red World Championship 2012 Group Tables |url=http://www.thailandsnooker.org/data/schedules/files/1341416466_42.pdf |publisher=Billiards Sports Association of Thailand |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610021218/http://www.thailandsnooker.org/data/schedules/files/1341416466_42.pdf |archive-date= 10 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} There he defeated James Wattana, Barry Hawkins, Dominic Dale and Judd Trump to reach the final, but lost 4–8 against Mark Davis.{{cite web|title=2012 Sangsom 6 Red World Championship knockout draw |url=http://www.thailandsnooker.org/data/schedules/files/1341672736_45.pdf |publisher=Billiards Sports Association of Thailand |access-date=7 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220150935/http://thailandsnooker.org/data/schedules/files/1341672736_45.pdf |archive-date= 20 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=SangSom 6 Red World Championship (2012)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=179|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=27 June 2012}} He then reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open, but lost 4–5 against Peter Ebdon.{{cite web|title=Australian Goldfields Open 2012 draw|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/Drawspage/0,,13165~2834339,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=7 July 2012}} Murphy went one better in the next two ranking tournaments, as he reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters and the International Championship, but lost 3–6 against John Higgins and 5–9 against Neil Robertson respectively.{{cite news|title=Shanghai Masters 2012: schedule and results|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/19600409|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921003343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/19600409|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=International Championship 2012: schedule and results|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20097570|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 November 2012}} Murphy than reached the final of the 2012 UK Championship courtesy of two tight victories. The first against teenager Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals, after Brecel twice had the chance to pot the final pink and black to win the match,{{cite news|title=UK Snooker Championship 2012: Luca Brecel pipped by Murphy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20633460|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 December 2012}} then against Ali Carter in which Murphy recovered from 4–8 down and 0–32 in points behind in the deciding frame to win 9–8.{{cite news|last=Hafez|first=Shamoon|title=UK Snooker Championship 2012: Shaun Murphy beats Ali Carter|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20643682|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 December 2012}} He was ultimately defeated by good friend Mark Selby 6–10 in the final.{{cite news|last=Hafez|first=Shamoon|title=UK Snooker Championship 2012: Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20658965|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 December 2012}} He also participated at the Players Tour Championship, with his best result coming at the third English event, where he reached the semi-finals, but lost 0–4 against Marco Fu.{{cite web|title=Shaun Murphy 2012/2013 stats|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=97&season=2012|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=19 January 2013}} He finished number 29 on the Order of Merit,{{cite web|title=Order of Merit issued after Munich Open 2013 (ET6) |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/7a/ba/0,,13165~178810,00.pdf |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=7 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127034421/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/7a/ba/0%2C%2C13165~178810%2C00.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2013 }}{{cite web|title=Order of Merit 2012/2013|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2012|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=6 January 2013}} and couldn't qualify to the Finals.{{cite web |title=Betfair European Open 2012/2013 Entry pack for the Munich Open (ET6) |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/85/b8/0,,13165~178309,00.pdf |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=21 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122223318/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/85/b8/0,,13165~178309,00.pdf |archive-date=22 January 2013 }}

Murphy began the year by reaching the semi-finals at the Masters, but lost 2–6 against Robertson.{{cite news|title=The Masters 2013: schedule and results|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20950536|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 January 2013}} He then reached the quarter-final of the German Masters, but lost 4–5 against Robertson.{{cite news|title=German Masters 2013: Schedule and results from Berlin|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21253174|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 February 2013}} In the first round of the 2013 World Snooker Championship, Murphy defeated Martin Gould 10–5 to advance to the second round, where he faced Graeme Dott, winning 13–11. In the quarter-final, he faced Trump in a tense match that went to a deciding frame, after Trump won five consecutive frames from 7–12 down to level at 12–12. Trump ultimately prevailed in a nervy last frame to go through to the semi-final.{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Dirs |title=Trump wins Murphy thriller |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/22370248 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 May 2013 |access-date=2 May 2013}}

File:Shaun Murphy at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-30 02.jpg]]

Murphy's 2013–14 season began with a shock 1–5 defeat by Alex Davies in the qualifying round of the 2013 Wuxi Classic.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3195338,00.html |title=Murphy Misses Out on Wuxi |publisher=World Snooker |access-date=31 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607182718/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3195338%2C00.html |archive-date= 7 June 2013 }} The tournament was the first to use a new format that required top-16 players to compete in qualifiers.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/22716590 | title=Shaun Murphy fails to qualify for season-opening major | work=BBC Sport | access-date=2 June 2013}}

Between August 2013 and January 2014, Murphy lost 3 stones (42 pounds or 19 kg) in weight, due to a new diet and fitness regime. He stated that one of his health and fitness goals was to improve his stamina and concentration at the table.{{cite web | url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-lights-go-faulty-ding-murphy-seals-masters-181233997--spt.html | title=Snooker – Lights go out on faulty Ding as Murphy seals Masters win | publisher=Eurosport | date=14 January 2014}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25652527 | title=Masters snooker 2014: Shaun Murphy opts for healthier diet | work=BBC Sport | date=9 January 2014}}

In group two of the 2014 Championship League, he made his second official maximum break in his round-robin match against Mark Davis.{{cite web|title=Murphy 147 / Robertson Centuries Record |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3611925,00.html |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=9 January 2014 |date=9 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109140018/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3611925%2C00.html |archive-date= 9 January 2014 }}

In the first round of the Masters, Murphy came back from 2–4 behind to defeat Ding Junhui 6–4.{{cite web | url=http://www.london24.com/sport/shaun_murphy_stuns_ding_junhui_with_fightback_victory_at_the_masters_1_3206618 | title=Shaun Murphy stuns Ding Junhui with fightback victory at the Masters | publisher=London24 | date=14 January 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133124/http://www.london24.com/sport/shaun_murphy_stuns_ding_junhui_with_fightback_victory_at_the_masters_1_3206618 | archive-date=22 February 2014 | df=dmy-all }} He produced another comeback in the quarter-finals, where he trailed Marco Fu 1–4 before winning five frames in a row to clinch a 6–4 victory.{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9118930/masters-snooker-mark-selby-and-shaun-murphy-dig-deep-at-alexandra-palace|title=Masters Snooker: Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy dig deep at Alexandra Palace|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 January 2014}} He faced defending champion Mark Selby in the semi-finals, but lost 1–6.{{cite web|url=http://www.london24.com/sport/champ_mark_selby_thumps_shaun_murphy_to_book_masters_final_1_3219118|title=Champ Mark Selby thumps Shaun Murphy to book Masters final|publisher=London24|date=18 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133248/http://www.london24.com/sport/champ_mark_selby_thumps_shaun_murphy_to_book_masters_final_1_3219118|archive-date=22 February 2014}}

In February 2014, while playing Jamie Jones in the last 16 of the minor-ranking Gdynia Open, Murphy made his second 147 break of the season and the third of his professional career.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/281775.html|title=Murphy makes maximum 147 en route to title|publisher=ESPN|date=10 February 2014}} He went on to win the tournament, defeating Fergal O'Brien 4–1 in the final to capture his first title in 29 months.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26128659|title=Shaun Murphy makes maximum break on way to Gdynia Open win|work=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9159591/murphy-ends-trophy-drought|title=Murphy ends trophy drought|publisher=SportingLife|date=9 February 2014|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304044959/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9159591/murphy-ends-trophy-drought|url-status=dead}} The following month, he defeated Selby 10–6 in the final of the World Open, winning the fifth ranking title of his career and his first ranking title in three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26601655|title=Shaun Murphy holds off Mark Selby to win Haikou World Open|work=BBC Sport|date=16 March 2014}}

At the World Championship, Murphy defeated Jamie Cope 10–9 and Marco Fu 13–8 to reach the quarter-finals,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/27073924|title=World Snooker Championship 2014: Scores and results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 April 2014}} where he faced defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. Murphy was defeated 3–13 with a session to spare.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/27218146|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan eases into World Snooker semi-finals|work=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2014}}

File:Shaun Murphy at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2015-02-08 19.jpg]]

Murphy won the Bulgarian Open in October, with a 4–2 victory over Martin Gould in the final.{{cite web|title=Murphy Storms To Bulgaria Title|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4196699,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|date=5 October 2014|access-date=11 October 2014}} Two weeks later, he reached the final of the General Cup but lost 6–7 against Ali Carter.{{cite web|title=General Cup (2014)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=383|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=18 October 2014}} In November, he won the Ruhr Open by defeating Robert Milkins 4–0 in the final. In the second frame of this match, he achieved the fourth maximum break of his career after missing out on the maximum on two previous occasions earlier that day—in a match against Joe Swail where Murphy made a break of 129 before missing the blue ball, and in a match against Mark Williams where the maximum attempt ended on a break of 122 as he missed the green ball.{{cite web|title=Murphy Wins in Mulheim – And Makes 147|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4322599,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|date=23 November 2014|access-date=23 November 2014}} In 2014, Murphy became the first player to make three maximums in a calendar year.

At the Masters in January, he defeated Mark Selby, Stephen Maguire and Mark Allen en route to the final against Neil Robertson. Murphy won the match 10–2, completing his career Triple Crown.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30871086|title=Masters 2015 final: Shaun Murphy thrashes Neil Robertson|date=18 January 2015|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/18/shaun-murphy-triple-crown-masters-hammering-neil-robertson|title=Shaun Murphy seals Triple Crown with Masters hammering of Neil Robertson|date=18 January 2015 |work=Guardian|access-date=19 January 2015}}

In the World Championship, seeded eighth, Murphy beat Robin Hull 10–3, Joe Perry 13–5, Anthony McGill 13–8 and Barry Hawkins 17–9, to reach his third final, where he met tenth seed Stuart Bingham.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/32267904|title=World Snooker Championship 2015: Scores and results|work=BBC Sport|access-date=29 July 2015}} Despite leading 3–0 and 8–5, Murphy fell behind 11–14 in the third session; after fighting back to level the score at 15–15, he lost the next three frames and the final 15–18.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/32584278|title=World Snooker Championship: Bingham beats Murphy 18–15|work=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2015|access-date=29 July 2015|first=Shamoon|last=Hafeez}}

At the UK Championship, Murphy defeated Ashley Hugill, Zhou Yuelong and Ben Woollaston to reach the last 16, but then lost 4–6 to Marco Fu.{{Cite news|title=Fu must dislike me, jokes Murphy|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/34994096|access-date=15 February 2021}} In defence of his title at the Masters, he was knocked out in the first round by Mark Allen, losing 4–6.{{Cite news|title=Murphy forfeits frame in Masters loss|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/35276888|access-date=15 February 2021}} Murphy's only ranking title this season came at the World Grand Prix in March. With wins over Michael White, Martin Gould, Liang Wenbo and Ding Junhui, he met Stuart Bingham in the final—a repeat of the previous year's World Championship final—and claimed the victory this time by winning 10–9.{{Cite web|date=13 March 2016|title=Shaun Murphy beats Stuart Bingham 10-9 to win World Grand Prix title|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/13/shaun-murphy-stuart-bingham-world-grand-prix|access-date=15 February 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}} At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy suffered a shocking first-round exit, losing 8–10 to Anthony McGill.{{Cite web|title=Former champion Murphy shocked by McGill at snooker worlds - Sports - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2016-04/18/content_24628129.htm|access-date=15 February 2021|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}

Murphy reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship but lost 2–6 to the eventual champion Mark Selby.{{Cite news|date=3 December 2016|title=Selby defeats Murphy in thrilling semi-final|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/38196419|access-date=15 February 2021}} He faced another first-round exit at the Masters, this time losing heavily to Barry Hawkins 1–6.{{Cite web|date=18 January 2017|title=Hawk Soars To Murphy Win|url=https://wst.tv/hawk-soars-to-murphy-win/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220231658/https://wst.tv/hawk-soars-to-murphy-win/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2020|access-date=15 February 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} In March 2017, Murphy won his seventh ranking title, and his first of the season, by beating Judd Trump 4–2 in the Gibraltar Open final.{{Cite web|title=Gibraltar Open 2017: Murphy beats Trump in final|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/murphy-wins-gibraltar-title/41342|access-date=15 February 2021|website=www.sportinglife.com|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204527/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/murphy-wins-gibraltar-title/41342|url-status=dead}} At the World Snooker Championship, his 10–8 victory over Yan Bingtao earned him a place in the second round, where he was defeated by Ronnie O'Sullivan 13–7.{{Cite news|date=17 April 2017|title=Murphy edges past Bingtao - best five shots|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/39624932|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Short|first=Joe|date=22 April 2017|title=World Snooker Championship 2017: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats rival Shaun Murphy|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/795071/World-Snooker-Championship-2017-Ronnie-O-Sullivan-beats-rival-Murphy-match-report|access-date=15 February 2021|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}}

Murphy reached the final of the China Championship in August, with victories over Zhang Anda, Ken Doherty, Anthony Hamilton, Stephen Maguire, Zhou Yuelong and Ali Carter, but he was defeated 5–10 by Luca Brecel in the final.{{Cite news|title=Brecel beats Murphy in China final|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41016125|access-date=16 February 2021}} Later that month, he reached the second ranking tournament final of the season, the Paul Hunter Classic, this time losing 2–4 to Michael White.{{Cite news|title=White beats Murphy in Paul Hunter Classic|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41069526|access-date=16 February 2021}} In November, he won the invitational Champion of Champions tournament for the first time, beating Mark King, White and Brecel on the way to the final, before claiming a 10–8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan.{{Cite web|date=13 November 2017|title=Shaun Murphy Stuns Ronnie O'Sullivan To Win Champion Of Champions Title|url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/shaun-murphy-stuns-ronnie-osullivan-to-win-champion-of-champions-title|access-date=16 February 2021|website=The Sportsman|language=EN}} The pair faced each other again in the final of the UK Championship in December, but this time Murphy lost 5–10.{{Cite web|date=10 December 2017|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan demolishes Shaun Murphy to seal UK Championship title|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/10/ronnie-osullivan-shaun-murphy-uk-championship-final|access-date=16 February 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

At the Masters, he avoided another first-round exit by beating Carter 6–4, though it was a hard-fought victory as Carter recovered from a 0–4 deficit to pull up to 4–5 behind.{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Andy|date=17 January 2018|title=Masters snooker: Ali Carter reveals how Shaun Murphy beat him|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/906262/Masters-snooker-Ali-Carter-reveals-how-Shaun-Murphy-beat-him|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}} However, Murphy was knocked out of the tournament in the next round by Judd Trump, losing 4–6.{{Cite news|title=Trump moves into Masters semi-finals|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42751555|access-date=16 February 2021}} He reached his third ranking final of the season at the Players Championship in March. After defeating Kyren Wilson, Anthony McGill and Mark Williams, he met Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final for the third time this season; trailing 3–6 at the end of the afternoon session, he eventually lost the match 4–10.{{Cite web|date=25 March 2018|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan wins Players' Championship but again criticises 'numpties'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/25/ronnie-osullivan-players-championship-llandudno-snooker-numpties|access-date=16 February 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Gibbs|first=Dan|date=26 March 2018|title=Players Championship 2018 final: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy 10-4|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/936749/Players-Championship-2018-final-LIVE-updates-Ronnie-OSullivan-vs-Shaun-Murphy-snooker|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}} At the end of the season, Murphy suffered another shocking first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship, losing 9–10 to Jamie Jones.{{Cite news|title=Youth key to my world title win - Murphy|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43878137|access-date=16 February 2021}}

In December 2018, Murphy was defeated by world number 124 Chen Feilong in the first round of the UK Championship. Despite taking an early lead of 3–1, Murphy lost the next five frames and lost the match 3–6.{{Cite news|title=Murphy stunned by world number 124|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46372361|access-date=16 February 2021}}{{Cite web|title=China's Chen Feilong shocks Murphy to reach 2nd round at UK Championship - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/29/c_137639261.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129045649/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/29/c_137639261.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2018|access-date=16 February 2021|website=www.xinhuanet.com}} He bounced back later that month and reached the final of the Scottish Open after winning against the likes of Michael Holt, Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump to face Mark Allen in the final. After trailing 3–6, Murphy won four frames out of the next five to level the match at 7–7, but Allen eventually claimed the title by winning 9–7.{{Cite news|title=Allen beats Murphy to win Scottish Open|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46585868|access-date=16 February 2021}} In January 2019, Murphy lost 2–6 to Barry Hawkins in the first round of the Masters.{{Cite news|date=15 January 2019|title=Hawkins too strong for Murphy at Masters - best shots|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/46884371|access-date=16 February 2021}} At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy whitewashed debutant Luo Honghao in the first round, winning 10–0, the joint biggest defeat in Crucible history.{{Cite web|date=22 April 2019|title=Luo Honghao suffers heaviest Crucible defeat of all time as Shaun Murphy enjoys 10-0 whitewash|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championships/2019/luo-honghao-suffers-heaviest-crucible-defeat-of-all-time-as-shaun-murphy-enjoys-10-0-whitewash-romp_sto7239923/story.shtml|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Eurosport UK|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=22 April 2019|title=Murphy beats Honghao in record-equalling whitewash - best shots|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/48013183|access-date=16 February 2021}} But he was knocked out of the tournament by Neil Robertson in the next round, losing 6–13.{{Cite news|title=Robertson thrashes Murphy in last 16|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/48067003|access-date=16 February 2021}}

In August 2019, Murphy won against the likes of Yuan Sijun, Yan Bingtao, Neil Robertson, Graeme Dott and Mark Allen to face Judd Trump in the final of the International Championship. After trailing 0–5 at the beginning, Murphy eventually lost the match 3–10.{{Cite web|date=11 August 2019|title=Snooker news - Judd Trump demolishes Shaun Murphy to win International Championship|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/international-championship/2019-2020/snooker-news-judd-trump-demolishes-shaun-murphy-to-win-international-championship_sto7404467/story.shtml|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Eurosport UK|language=en}} In September, Murphy also reached the final of the Shanghai Masters, an invitational tournament, after beating Lyu Haotian, Mark Williams, Jack Lisowski and Mark Allen. He suffered another defeat in the final against Ronnie O'Sullivan, this time losing 9–11.{{Cite news|title=O'Sullivan retains Shanghai Masters crown|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/49709204|access-date=16 February 2021}} He defeated Williams in the final of the China Championship later that month and captured his first ranking title since winning the Gibraltar Open in March 2017.{{Cite news|title=Murphy holds off Williams in China|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/49872055|access-date=16 February 2021}}{{Cite web|date=29 September 2019|title=Snooker news - Murphy stages brilliant comeback to win China Championship against Williams|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/china-championship/2019-2020/snooker-news-murphy-stages-brilliant-comeback-to-win-china-championship-against-williams_sto7478923/story.shtml|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Eurosport|language=en}} At the UK Championship, Murphy lost 4–6 to Eden Sharav in the first round, despite taking an early lead of 3–1.{{Cite web|date=29 November 2019|title=Shaun Murphy Loses to Eden Sharav|url=https://snookerhq.com/2019/11/29/shaun-murphy-loses-eden-sharav/|access-date=16 February 2021|website=SnookerHQ|language=en-GB}} In January 2020, Murphy progressed to the semi-finals of the Masters for the first time since winning the title in 2015 after defeating Trump and Joe Perry,{{Cite news|title=Defending champion Trump out of Masters|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/51112891|access-date=16 February 2021}}{{Cite web|date=16 January 2020|title=Murphy Reaches Masters Semis|url=https://wst.tv/murphy-reaches-masters-semis/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220213239/https://wst.tv/murphy-reaches-masters-semis/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2020|access-date=16 February 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} but he eventually lost 3–6 to Ali Carter.{{Cite web|title=Dafabet Masters: Ali Carter beats Shaun Murphy to reach final|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/carter-through-to-masters-final/176333|access-date=16 February 2021|website=www.sportinglife.com}} In February 2020, Murphy claimed his ninth ranking title after thrashing Kyren Wilson in the final of the Welsh Open. He made three century breaks and three more breaks over 70 to win 9–1.{{Cite web|title=Welsh Open Snooker final report and reaction: Shaun Murphy beats Kyren Wilson 9-1|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/magnificent-murphy-blitzes-wilson/177379|access-date=16 February 2021|website=www.sportinglife.com}}{{Cite news|title=Murphy beats Wilson to win Welsh Open|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/51524438|access-date=16 February 2021}} At the World Snooker Championship, Murphy had another first round exit after losing to Noppon Saengkham 4–10.{{Cite news|last1=Media|first1=P. A.|last2=sport|first2=Guardian|date=4 August 2020|title=Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy crash out of world championship on day of shocks|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/04/mark-allen-and-shaun-murphy-crash-out-of-world-championship-on-day-of-shocks|access-date=16 February 2021|issn=0261-3077}}

Murphy reached the semi-finals of the European Masters in September, knocking out the defending champion Neil Robertson at the quarter-final stage, but was then himself defeated 3–6 by Mark Selby.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/european-masters/2020-2021/judd-trump-cruises-into-european-masters-semi-final_sto7905899/story.shtml |title=Mark Selby and Martin Gould to meet in European Masters final |date=26 September 2020 |access-date=2 May 2021 |work=Eurosport UK}} He made a quarter-final appearance at the Masters in January where he was defeated by the same scoreline by Stuart Bingham.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/55489374 |title=Masters snooker 2021: Full tournament results and highest break |date=17 January 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}

Defending his title at the Welsh Open in February, Murphy was defeated in the quarter-finals by Stephen Maguire in a ninth-frame decider after taking an earlier 4–3 lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/classy-maguire-guns-down-murphy/189389 |title=Welsh Open Snooker: Stephen Maguire beats Shaun Murphy as Ali Carter withdraws |date=19 February 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021 |work=Sporting Life}} Murphy met Mark Selby in the final of the World Championship in a repeat of the European Masters semi-final seven months earlier; he lost 18–15. This was the fourth time that Murphy reached the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/03/mark-selby-beats-shaun-murphy-win-fourth-world-snooker-championship-crucible-match-report |title=Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy to win fourth World Snooker Championship |last=Bower |first=Aaron |work=The Guardian |access-date=4 May 2021 |date=3 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56762588 |title=World Snooker Championship 2021: Tournament results, highest break and prize money |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 24 November, following his first-round loss to amateur player Si Jiahui in the 2021 UK Championship, Murphy commented, "he [Si] played like a man who does not have a care in the world, because he does not have a care in the world. It is not fair, it is not right. I am not picking on him as a young man, he deserved his victory. Amateurs should not be allowed in professional tournaments, the end. This is our livelihood. This is how I put food on the table. This is how I earn money. Since turning professional at 15, I have earned the right to call myself a professional snooker player. He hasn't done that. He shouldn't be on the table."{{Cite journal|journal=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/24/its-not-fair-shaun-murphy-rails-at-amateurs-in-pro-snooker-after-uk-championship-defeat-by-amateur|title='It is not fair': Murphy rails at amateurs in pro snooker … after defeat by amateur|date=24 November 2021|accessdate=27 November 2023}} He later regretted the timing of these comments and apologised to Si,{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/uk-championship/2021-2022/uk-championship-2021-shaun-murphy-appogises-to-opponent-si-jiahui-over-amateur-rant-following-shock-_sto8646323/story.shtml|title=UK Championship 2021: Shaun Murphy apologises to opponent Si Jiahui over amateur rant following shock loss|publisher=Eurosport|date=28 November 2021}} revealing in 2023 that he was "in a dark place" at the time of his "out of character" outburst.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/04/19/shaun-murphy-recalls-dark-time-that-led-to-si-jiahui-comments-i-was-hating-myself-18635892/|title='I was in constant pain and hating myself' – Shaun Murphy recalls dark time that led to Si Jiahui outburst|publisher=Metro|date=19 April 2023}} The highlight of his season was reaching the semi-final of the 2022 Turkish Masters, where he lost 6–2 to Judd Trump.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/turkish-masters/2022/turkish-masters-2022-judd-trump-fights-past-shaun-murphy-to-set-up-final-showdown-against-matthew-se_sto8841309/story.shtml|title=Turkish Masters 2022 - Judd Trump fights past Shaun Murphy to set up final showdown against Matthew Selt|publisher=Eurosport|date=13 March 2022}}

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Murphy revealed he had undergone gastric sleeve surgery after years of weight fluctuation and associated injuries, fat shaming on social media and a resurgence in over-eating after separating from his wife Elaine (although they later reconciled).{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/shaun-murphy-fat-shaming-weight-loss-social-media-b2147635.html|title=Snooker star Shaun Murphy undergoes weight loss surgery after 'fat-shaming' on social media|work=The Independent|date=18 August 2022}} The move precipitated an upturn in form, starting with reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship (for the first time since 2017) where he was defeated 6–1 by Jack Lisowski.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/uk-championship/2022-2023/uk-championship-2022-snooker-live-ding-junhui-whitewashes-off-form-ronnie-o-sullivan-to-reach-semi-f_sto9231025/story.shtml|title=UK Championship 2022 snooker – Jack Lisowski beats Shaun Murphy after Ding Junhui's thrashing of Ronnie O'Sullivan|publisher=Eurosport|date=18 November 2022}} He had an impressive second half of the season, reaching the final of the 2023 Welsh Open where he narrowly lost 9–7 to Robert Milkins,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/snooker-results-robert-milkins-beats-shaun-murphy-9-7-in-welsh-open-final/207482|title=Snooker results: Robert Milkins beats Shaun Murphy 9-7 in Welsh Open final|date=19 February 2023 |publisher=Sporting Life}} before winning the Players Championship in impressive fashion with a 10–4 win in the final over Ali Carter. He made five centuries during the final including a highest break of 145 to seal his first ranking title since the 2020 Welsh Open.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/players-championship/2022-2023/players-championship-2023-shaun-murphy-dominates-ali-carter-to-take-first-title-in-three-years_sto9431212/story.shtml|title=Players Championship 2023: Shaun Murphy dominates Ali Carter to take first title in three years|publisher=Eurosport|date=27 February 2023}} Just over a month later, he added the Tour Championship to his trophy collection, defeating Kyren Wilson 10–7 in the final despite being 4–0 down.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/snooker-scores-shaun-murphy-beats-kyren-wilson-10-7-in-tour-championship-final/208458|title=Snooker scores: Shaun Murphy beats Kyren Wilson 10-7 in Tour Championship final|publisher=Sporting Life|date=2 April 2023}}

On the eve of the World Championship he was in confident form, declaring "no one's playing better snooker than me right now", and was drawn against Si Jiahui, a match which created anticipation due to the backdrop of previous comments Murphy had made about Si in 2021.{{cite news |title=Shaun Murphy: 'What would I do without snooker? It's my drug' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/17/shaun-murphy-snooker-interview-world-championships |work=The Guardian |date=17 April 2023 |last=McRae |first=Donald |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417130350/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/17/shaun-murphy-snooker-interview-world-championships |url-status=live}} Si won on a deciding frame to seal a 10–9 victory.{{Cite web |title=Snooker results: Shaun Murphy beaten again by Si Jiahui in Crucible shock |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/snooker-results-shaun-murphy-beaten-again-by-si-jiahui-in-crucible-shock/208886 |date=20 April 2023 |website=Sporting Life |location=UK |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420215852/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/snooker-results-shaun-murphy-beaten-again-by-si-jiahui-in-crucible-shock/208886 |url-status=live }} Afterwards Murphy was gracious in defeat, saying Si had been "fabulous from start to finish" and "I threw everything at him, I tried my absolute best and I still lost."{{Cite web |date=20 April 2023 |title=Sensational Si Shocks Murphy |url=https://wst.tv/sensational-si-shocks-murphy/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=World Snooker |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420221647/https://wst.tv/sensational-si-shocks-murphy/ |url-status=dead }}

Murphy beat Zhang Anda 6{{nbnd}}2{{cite web |last1=Beattie |first1=Darren |title=Masters snooker 2024: Shaun Murphy brushes aside Zhang Anda to set up quarter-final showdown with Jack Lisowski |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/the-masters/2023-2024/masters-snooker-2024-shaun-murphy-brushes-aside-zhang-anda-to-set-up-quarter-final-showdown-with-jac_sto9948460/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=21 February 2025}} and Lisowski 6{{nbnd}}3{{cite web |title=Masters snooker 2024: Shaun Murphy denies spirited Jack Lisowski to book semi-final clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/the-masters/2023-2024/masters-snooker-2024-shaun-murphy-denies-spirited-jack-lisowski-to-book-semi-final-clash-with-ronnie_sto9954289/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=21 February 2025}} to reach the semi-final of the 2024 Masters. In his first Masters semi-final since 2020, Murphy was defeated 2{{nbnd}}6 by O'Sullivan.{{cite web |last1=Livie |first1=Alex |title=Masters Snooker 2024: Ronnie O'Sullivan continues dominance of Shaun Murphy to reach final |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/the-masters/2023-2024/masters-snooker-2024-ronnie-o-sullivan-continues-dominance-of-shaun-murphy-to-reach-final_sto9957262/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=21 February 2025}}

At the 2024 World Championship, Murphy beat Lyu Haotian 10{{nbnd}}5 in the first round,{{cite web |title=Shaun Murphy cruises past Lyu Haotian to reach second round at the Crucible |url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/sport/national/24269767.shaun-murphy-cruises-past-lyu-haotian-reach-second-round-crucible/ |website=Brent and Kilburn Times |access-date=20 February 2025}} before losing 9{{nbnd}}13 to Maguire in the last 16.{{cite web |last1=Emons |first1=Michael |title=Maguire beats Murphy to reach world quarters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cnke0qee7wgo |website=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2024 |access-date=20 February 2025}}

In August 2024, Murphy reached the final of the Shanghai Masters where he was defeated 11{{nbnd}}5 by Judd Trump.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Rhys |title=Shanghai Masters 2024 final: Judd Trump wins first Shanghai Masters title with dominant final victory over Shaun Murphy |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/shanghai-masters/2024-2025/shanghai-masters-2024-final-judd-trump-title-shaun-murphy_sto20019603/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=8 February 2025}} At the 2025 Masters, Murphy hit a 147 break in his semi-final win over Mark Allen.{{cite web |title=Shaun Murphy hits 147 break in Masters semi-final win versus Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/13291808/shaun-murphy-hits-147-break-in-masters-semi-final-win-versus-mark-allen-at-alexandra-palace |website=SkySports |access-date=8 February 2025}} Murphy went on to win the tournament with a 10{{nbnd}}7 victory over Kyren Wilson in the final at Alexandra Palace.{{cite web |last1=Sutcliffe |first1=Steve |title='Life in the old dog yet' - Murphy wins second Masters title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cp8kl40r8jyo |website=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025}} Murphy exited the 2025 World Championship at the second round stage. He was defeated 10{{nbnd}}13 by Judd Trump.{{cite web |title=Trump ends Murphy challenge |url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/april/28/trump-ends-murphy-challenge/ |website=World Snooker Tour |access-date=7 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501223510/https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/april/28/trump-ends-murphy-challenge/ |archive-date=1 May 2025}}

Murphy is noted for his straight {{cuegloss|cue action}}, which Steve Davis once called "the best cue action I've ever seen", as well as his {{cuegloss|long pot|long potting}} and breakbuilding. Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in The Times that Murphy has improved his tactical game since his World Championship victory. He has compiled more than 700 century breaks{{cite web |url=https://wst.tv/amateur-wells-sinks-trump |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216201703/https://wst.tv/amateur-wells-sinks-trump/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2023 |title=Amateur Wells sinks Trump |date=16 February 2023 |work=World Snooker Tour |access-date=20 January 2025}} and has completed ten maximum breaks.{{cite web |url=https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/147-breaks/ |title=147 Breaks (full list) |website=WPBSA |access-date=20 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118203305/https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/147-breaks/ |archive-date=18 January 2025 |url-status=live}} His total career earnings are in excess of £4 million.{{cite web|title=Snooker Players Slam Amateur Participation After UK Championship |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/snooker-shaun-murphy-slams-amateurs-after-uk-championship-loss-2021-11 |work=Business Insider |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |date=26 November 2021 |access-date=20 January 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719214845/https://www.businessinsider.com/snooker-shaun-murphy-slams-amateurs-after-uk-championship-loss-2021-11 |archive-date=19 July 2024 |url-access=subscription}}

Murphy has clashed with Stephen Maguire, another of the 2000 Young Players of Distinction, on several occasions. At the start of their 2004 Grand Prix match, there was an incident that resulted in Maguire being docked the opening frame. After they had shaken hands at the outset of the first frame, Maguire asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave the arena and retrieve his chalk, which he had forgotten. While Maguire was away, the referee and Murphy spoke before tournament director Mike Ganley arrived on the scene and docked Maguire a frame for technically not being ready to start at the scheduled time, which angered and surprised Maguire. Murphy refutes that the docking of the frame was down to him speaking to the referee. Maguire won the match 5–2 and later commented: "Rules are rules but I've never heard of anything like that happening before".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3714886.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Williams crashes out|date=4 October 2004|access-date=3 July 2010}}

Further incidents came in subsequent years. During the 2006 World Championship, Maguire said "I don't want to be a fat world champion", a perceived reference to Murphy.{{Cite web|url=http://news.williamhill.com/a/uk-championship/prepare-for-fireworks-as-murphy-and-maguire-go-to-war|publisher=William Hill|title=Prepare for fireworks as Murphy and Maguire go to war|first=Martin|last=Dalgliesh|date=19 December 2008|access-date=2 July 2010}} After beating Murphy in the 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."{{cite news|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/07/02/17/SNOOKER_Welsh_Higginson.html |newspaper=Sporting Life |title=Higginson Revelling in Spotlight |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=2 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716051857/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker%2F07%2F02%2F17%2FSNOOKER_Welsh_Higginson.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Murphy has been outspoken about several other of his rivals, criticising them for having too many toilet breaks and complaining about table conditions among other issues.{{Cite news|last=Baxter|first=Trevor|title=Murphy tables no complaints|date=23 April 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2335788/Murphy-tables-no-complaints.html|access-date=22 June 2011}} Murphy has also made collective criticisms of his fellow professionals for not attending events, and has branded other players' concerns over prize money as "a joke".{{cite news|title=No freebies here: Shaun Murphy slams players over prize money criticism|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/world-snooker-championship-shaun-murphy-1839824|work=Daily Mirror|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=18 April 2013|access-date=9 July 2013}}{{cite news|last=Nunns|first=Hector|title=Shaun Murphy hits out at rivals over Australian Open snub|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/shaun-murphy-hits-out-at-rivals-over-australian-open-snub-bdmpqk7vljw|work=The Times|date=5 July 2013|access-date=9 July 2013}}

Murphy was born in Harlow and grew up in Irthlingborough. He was home-schooled from age 13 after being bullied at school, and his 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-61157016|title=The amazing stories of four boys tipped to become the main men of the next century|publisher=The People|first=Jane|last=Simon|date=30 June 1996|access-date=7 January 2019|archive-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122132452/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-61157016/class-of-96-the-amazing-stories-of-four-boys-tipped|url-status=dead}} During the 2007 World Championship, it was reported that he had developed a rift with his father, who was a member of the World Snooker board.{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/champ-s-anguish-at-rift-with-dad-1-350224|title=Champ's anguish at rift with dad|newspaper=Sheffield Star|date=2 May 2007|access-date=2 July 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6611839.stm|title=Murphy fightback shocks Stevens|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2007|access-date=5 May 2007}} He said that they had not spoken in over a year, but that he would willingly speak to his father again if the other called him. In 2023, Murphy confirmed they were still estranged.

Murphy moved to Whiston, a suburb of Rotherham, during the 2004–05 season to live with his fiancée, Clare Llewellyn, whom he married in July 2005.{{Cite web |date=4 May 2005 |title=BBC - South Yorkshire - Sport - Shaun Murphy Interview |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2005/05/03/shaunmurphy_interview_feature.shtml |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}} She filed for divorce in 2009 after The People newspaper revealed he had spent the night with an escort. Murphy's then-manager Brandon Parker confirmed that Murphy had spent the night with the woman but denied he had been unfaithful, stating that Murphy did not have sex with her.{{Cite web|title=Snooker Hero Murphy and £100 an hour escort |work=The People |first=Daniel |last=Jones |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526095612/http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline%3Dsnooker-hero-murphy-and-pound-100-escort%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D21328337%26siteid%3D93463-name_page.html |archive-date=26 May 2010 |date=3 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news | work=The Independent | title=Snooker: Murphy shows the strain on a day to forget | first=Nick | last=Harris | date=4 May 2009 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-murphy-shows-the-strain-on-a-day-to-forget-1678575.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429172735/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-murphy-shows-the-strain-on-a-day-to-forget-1678575.html | archive-date=29 April 2010 | url-status=dead | location=London}} Murphy subsequently stated that he and the woman had dated as teenagers and reconnected through Facebook after he and his wife split up in 2008. Murphy stated that he did not know at the time that she had become an escort.{{Cite news |last=McRae |first=Donald |date=2023-04-17 |title=Shaun Murphy: ‘What would I do without snooker? It’s my drug’ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/17/shaun-murphy-snooker-interview-world-championships |access-date=2025-05-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Murphy subsequently dated Claire Chorlton, who was first introduced to the viewing public backstage during the final of the 2012 UK Championship.{{cite news|title=Shaun Murphy's Celine Dion secret|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20661039|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512234635/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20661039|archive-date=12 May 2020|url-status=dead}}

Murphy married Irish academic Elaine O'Reilly in June 2016. They had a son and daughter.{{cite web|last=Bowles|first=Tom|title=Shaun Murphy on becoming a dad, snooker and what he's learned from Danny Willett|url=https://blog.betway.com/snooker/shaun-murphy-on-becoming-a-dad-snooker-and-what-he-s-learned-from-danny-willett/|work=Betway|date=29 December 2016|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423061923/https://blog.betway.com/snooker/shaun-murphy-on-becoming-a-dad-snooker-and-what-he-s-learned-from-danny-willett/|url-status=dead}} The family moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/10/shaun-murphy-back-best-ahead-english-open-reaching-dark-place-10895865/|title=Murphy back to his best ahead of English Open after reaching 'very dark place'|date=10 October 2019|website=Metro|language=en|access-date=5 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby set up thrilling Crucible decider |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/shaun-murphy-and-mark-selby-set-up-thrilling-crucible-decider-1.4553526|date=1 May 2021 |access-date=18 January 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times}} They split up in May 2023, with Murphy calling the divorce "amicable" and saying "our whole lives now become about raising our children".{{cite news|title='My big break won't stop me aiming to be No1 in the world' Murphy reveals effect of marriage break-up |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-post-inverness/20230903/282789246014288 |work=The Sunday Post |via=PressReader |date=3 September 2023 |last=Goulding |first=Neil}} As of January 2025, Murphy was reported to be in a relationship with musician Jo Rochell, who appeared with him after he won the 2025 Masters.{{Cite web |last=Haigh |first=Phil |date=2025-01-21 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan names two reasons behind Shaun Murphy's Masters resurgence |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/21/ronnie-osullivan-names-two-reasons-behind-shaun-murphys-masters-resurgence-22401333/ |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Neil |date=2025-01-19 |title=Masters snooker 2025: Shaun Murphy wins final to take home £365k |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/snooker/article/shaun-murphy-wins-masters-kyren-wilson-pjd7kg6jp |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=The Times |language=en}}

Murphy became a Christian at the age of 15, after meeting a religious family on holiday.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-history-boy-shaun-murphy-is-pining-for-his-past-8581075.html|newspaper=independent.co.uk|title=Snooker Champion Shares His Faith|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121075433/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-history-boy-shaun-murphy-is-pining-for-his-past-8581075.html|url-status=dead}} Murphy became well known for his charitable nature, having spent some of the summer of 2006 doing aid work in Zimbabwe with his then wife, Clare.{{cite news|title=The Crucible contenders|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-crucible-contenders-tthmnz5schg|newspaper=The Times|access-date=28 August 2010|location=London, UK|first=Phil|last=Yates|date=22 December 2008}} He also donated one-tenth of his 2005 World Championship winnings to the church, and at the 2012 World Snooker Championship Murphy donated £100 to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity for every century he made.{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Zan|title=Shaun Murphy helps raising funds for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity|url=http://blogs.bettor.com/Shaun-Murphy-helps-raising-funds-for-Royal-Manchester-Childrens-Hospital-Charity-a180082|publisher=Blogs.bettor.com|access-date=2 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410215425/http://blogs.bettor.com/Shaun-Murphy-helps-raising-funds-for-Royal-Manchester-Childrens-Hospital-Charity-a180082|archive-date=10 April 2013}} In 2021, Murphy stated in an interview that his faith had diminished over time, saying it had always been "50/50 at best" and that he had "found faith and [has] since lost it". Looking back at past comments on his faith, he said he "didn't even really believe what [he was] saying".{{cite AV media |title=Shaun Murphy on his relationship with religion over the years 💭 |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@bbcsounds/video/7281251757022301473?lang=de-DE |author=BBC Sounds |website=TikTok |date=21 September 2021 |access-date=18 January 2025}} In 2023, he referred to himself as an atheist.

|}

| align="center"| 1–6

| align="center"|{{cite news|title=Hunger inspired Graeme Dott's World Series win|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/hunger-inspired-graeme-dotts-world-983699|work=Daily Record|publisher=Trinity Mirror|location=Glasgow|date=15 July 2008|access-date=6 April 2015}}

|-

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 5.

| 2009

| World Series of Snooker Grand Final

| {{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|John|Higgins|John Higgins}}

| align="center"| 6–2

| align="center"|{{cite news|title=Snooker: Murphy wins in Algarve|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/NewsGen/Edi%C3%A7%C3%A3o/RECORD/Modalidades/Outras/interior.aspx?content_id=385611|work=Record|publisher=Cofina|location=Lisbon|date=10 May 2009|access-date=6 April 2015|language=pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412011940/http://www.record.xl.pt/NewsGen/Edi%C3%A7%C3%A3o/RECORD/Modalidades/Outras/interior.aspx?content_id=385611|archive-date=12 April 2015}}

|-

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 6.

| 2009

| World Series of Snooker Killarney

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jimmy|White}}

| align="center"| 5–1

| align="center"|{{cite web|title=Shaun Murphy Crowned 2009 Sportingbet.com Champion|url=http://www.rballsports.com/cmsnews.php?fm=9&mid=5022|publisher=RB All Sports|access-date=6 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025203/http://www.rballsports.com/cmsnews.php?fm=9&mid=5022|url-status=dead}}

|-

|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 7.

| 2009

| Premier League

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}

| align="center"|{{sort|07–03|7–3}}

| align="center"|{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Premier / Matchroom League|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216154905/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/league.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=18 March 2011}}

|-

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 8.

| 2010

| Wuxi Classic

| {{flagicon|CHN}} Ding Junhui

| align="center"|{{sort|09–08|9–8}}

| align="center"|

|-style="background:#d0f0c0;"

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 6.

| 2010

| Premier League

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}

| align="center"|{{sort|01–07|1–7}}

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 7.

| 2011

| Championship League

| {{flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}

| align="center"|{{sort|01–03|1–3}}

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 9.

| 2011

| Brazil Masters

| {{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Graeme|Dott}}

| align="center"|{{sort|05–00|5–0}}

| align="center"|{{cite web|title=Brazil Masters (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=128|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=1 August 2011}}

|- bgcolor="ffffcc"

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 8.

| 2012

| The Masters

| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{sortname|Neil|Robertson}}

| align="center"|{{sort|06–10|6–10}}

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 9.

| 2012

| Six-red World Championship

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Mark|Davis|Mark Davis (snooker player)}}

| align="center"|4–8

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 10.

| 2014

| General Cup

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ali|Carter}}

| align="center"|6–7

| align="center"|

|- bgcolor="ffffcc"

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 10.

| 2015

| The Masters

| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{sortname|Neil|Robertson}}

| align="center"|10–2

| align="center"|

|- style="background:#ffe6cc;"

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 11.

| 2017

| Champion of Champions

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}

| align="center"|10–8

| align="center"|{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/41962959 |title=Champion of Champions: Shaun Murphy beats Ronnie O'Sullivan in final|date=12 November 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 February 2018}}

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 11.

| 2019

| Shanghai Masters

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}

| align="center"|9–11

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 12.

| 2024

| Shanghai Masters (2)

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Judd|Trump}}

| align="center"|5–11

| align="center"|

|- bgcolor="ffffcc"

| style="background:#98FB98"|Winner

| 12.

| 2025

| The Masters (2)

| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Kyren|Wilson}}

| align="center"|10–7

| align="center"|

|-

| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

|13.

| 2025

| Helsinki Super Shootout

|{{flagicon|WAL}} Mark Williams

|align="center"| 0–1

|align="center"|{{cite web |last1=Day |first1=Michael |title=Mark Williams wins the inaugural Helsinki Super Shoot Out snooker invitational |url=https://www.totallysnookered.com/sport/snooker/tournaments/mark-williams-wins-the-inaugural-helsinki-super-shoot-out-snooker-invitational-5133757 |website=Totally Snookered |access-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518060636/https://www.totallysnookered.com/sport/snooker/tournaments/mark-williams-wins-the-inaugural-helsinki-super-shoot-out-snooker-invitational-5133757 |archive-date=18 May 2025 |date=17 May 2025}}

|}

|}

• {{portal-inline|Biography}}
• {{portal-inline|Cue sports}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Shaun Murphy (snooker player)}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{WST player}}
• {{snooker.org player}}
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090502002549/http://www.global-snooker.com/Shaun-Murphy.asp Shaun Murphy]}} at Global-Snooker.com
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090204201211/http://uk.yahoo.eurosport.com/snooker/person_prs32333.shtml Shaun Murphy] at Eurosport.com

{{World snooker champions}}

{{UK Championship winners}}

{{Masters winners}}

{{Good article}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Shaun}}

Category:1982 births

Category:English snooker players

Category:Living people

Category:English Christians

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:People from Irthlingborough

Category:Sportspeople from Nottingham

Category:UK champions (snooker)

Category:Masters (snooker) champions

Category:Winners of the professional snooker world championship

Category:Sportspeople from Harlow