Why did Shaun Murphy describe latest 147 maximum break as 'underwhelming' after hitting record century total in golden snooker career?

Shaun Murphy returns to the World Open next week, buoyed by making the 10th 147 of his career at last year's ranking event. The 2005 world champion produced the perfect clearance in a 5-0 win against Zhou Jinhao in the second round in Yushan, but unlike some of his other maximum moments, Murphy felt he was missing a key element in his clearance. The World Open is live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Watch thrilling moment Murphy seals 147 to win match at World Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Shaun Murphy will face former world seniors champion David Lilley in his tournament opener at the World Open in Yushan on Monday, March 16, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

It will see the world No. 8 return to the scene of his 10th and latest career 147 break when he produced a magical maximum in a 5-0 win over Zhou Jinhao in the second round.

Murphy also produced 127 and 119 against Zhou in reaching 700 centuries of 763 in his golden 25-year career, but he would have liked to have pieced together the perfect break before a few more fans.

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"I'm absolutely delighted, but I must say it was an early session, it was an early start," Murphy told TNT Sports.

"There weren't many fans in this morning, so it was probably the most underwhelming 147 of all time.

"But they're all special, and I'm delighted.

'Most underwhelming 147 of all time!' - Murphy reacts to stunning maximum

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It was similar to the 147 I made in the Shoot Out. I was trying to make it from the first shot.

"I can't believe it, I'm blown away.

"There have been some very fine players throughout the game who have never had one, so to have had 10, I'm very honoured."

Murphy lost 5-1 to Joe O'Connor, who contributed three tons, in the last eight, but earned his return to Yushan with a 5-3 win over Chatchapong Nasa in qualifying in February.

Heavy scoring was the theme for the 2025 World Open, which witnessed a whopping 136 centuries, with 97 produced at the finals venue, as pundit Alan McManus described the scoring conditions as perfect.

"I know there’s been a lot of tournaments down the years; I don’t think I’ve ever seen conditions this well-suited to scoring," said former Masters champion McManus.

"The pockets are one thing, but the cushions are nice and soft where you can be nice and firm through impact.

"The bed is very responsive, and it is just everything about this week.

"The best players in the world are going to exploit it to the max."

Murphy will hope for better fortunes than his 4-0 defeat to Chang Bingyu in the first round of the Welsh Open last week which saw him score only one point in a 4-0 defeat as Chang rolled in 130, 136, 119 and 130 for a winning aggregate of 524-1.