Shaun Murphy made the first ever 147 maximum break at the Snooker Shoot Out in Swansea on Thursday.
It took the Englishman, who resides in Dublin, just over seven-and-a-half minutes to make the 147. The previous highest break at the Shoot Out, which has players playing under the pressure of a shot clock, was a 142 by Northern Irishman Mark Allen.
"We would do a lot of shows on the road between tournaments," Murphy told the World Snooker YouTube channel after the match against Hungarian teenager Bulcsu Revesz, which he won 2-0
"You spot chances to make 147s early because you are always wanting to put a break on for people who bought tickets to come and watch. I was trying to make the 147 from the very first shot."
Shaun Murphy 147 at Snooker Shoot Out
Murphy continued: "I saw the chance for the red, the black was available, there were a couple of reds loose. I got perfect on the red to pot and split the pack.
"From then on, it was a chance. I split them again on 50-odd and red went up towards the yellow-side cushion. That 's an obvious problem. I think on 96, I ended up play for that red because you may as well take it early; don't leave it till last.
"I couldn't believe it. Every ball I hit went exactly in the middle of the pocket. I'm as gobsmacked as you are."
Snooker history before your very eyes! 🤩#ClockIsTicking | @BetVictor | @ArenaSwansea pic.twitter.com/Yy2YeDWQo7
— WST (@WeAreWST) December 7, 2023
With 81 on the scoreboard, Murphy asked the crowd, "Is anyone else getting nervous?" The break was not without its difficult shots. On the colours, he twice had to pull out the rest with just 10 seconds on the shot clock. While potting the blue using the rest, a heckler from the crowd shouted 'Don't bottle it'.
"If you went out there and looked at the floor and tried to stay in that concentration bubble, I think [the crowd] would get to you a little bit," he said.
"You have to interact, you have to embrace it. We are show people, this is showbusiness.
"It's very rare in a Snooker Shoot Out frame that the black goes to both pockets and you get a chance at a nice red.
"Obviously, my opponent hit the blue and it gave me that chance. That's one of the best 147s I've ever made. I'm absolutely buzzing."
Murphy will play Dominic Dale in the next round at the Snooker Shoot Out.
Shaun Murphy reacts to his incredible 1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣#ClockIsTicking | @BetVictor pic.twitter.com/T394lY0Fue
— WST (@WeAreWST) December 7, 2023
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