Watch: Shaun Murphy slams rest on table in frustration during World Snooker Championship final after being put off by ‘bleep’ in crowd

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A World Snooker Championship final is hard enough at the best of times, let alone when you are distracted by phone noises, as Shaun Murphy found out on Sunday.

'There was a significant bleep' - Murphy slams rest on table in annoyance after distraction

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy had a frustrating moment midway through the second frame of his 2026 World Championship final showdown with Wu Yize.

The Englishman was attempting to pot a green into the far-right pocket, requiring a rest to be able to take on what was a tricky shot.

Then, just as his back-swing got underway, there was an audible noise from a member of the crowd’s phone, which caused Murphy to pull away, re-chalk and reset.

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Once he had identified his shot, Murphy locked back in and made his attempt at the green, which rattled in the jaws but did not drop.

His frustration was clear to see for everyone in the crowd, with Murphy slamming the rest down onto the table before walking back to his seat.

Commentating on TNT Sports, Neal Foulds said: ”Something bleeped on the back swing. It was not a proper phone call or anything, but it was a significant bleep.

”He was put out of his bubble of concentration. It wasn’t an easy shot but that certainly does not help matters.”

Co-commentator David Hendon added: ”And it could not have been timed worse, but I’m sure [it was] accidental.

”He was clearly put off initially, he sort of slammed the rest down there didn’t he?”

To make matters worse for Murphy, Wu went on to take the second frame and build a 2-0 lead.

The crowd were then given a stern warning before the third frame got underway, with referee Rob Spencer telling them to turn their phones either off or put them on silent.

'It could hardly have gone any worse' - Murphy makes error on much-talked-about break

Video credit: TNT Sports

”Before we start this frame, can I please ask you all to make sure that your phones are on silent or switched off," Spencer said.

”Don’t be the person that has to be thrown out, okay.”

Murphy had a difficult start to the second frame, when his poor break did not go to plan, with the cue ball rattling in the jaws of a pocket and letting Wu in.

"That could hardly have gone any worse, the cue ball just veered very wide," Foulds said.

Wu had a fine start to the final, extending his early lead to 3-0, before Murphy got himself on the board. Wu was 3-1 ahead when the players went for their mid-session interval.

Watch and stream the 2026 World Championship final, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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