SHAUN MURPHY celebrated his epic Masters victory by emulating one of football’s greats – and napping with his new prize.
The 42-year-old beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in a modern day classic on Sunday night.
Murphy‘s triumph was his first at the Masters since completing the Triple Crown in 2015.
It completed a stunning week for the former world champ, who also bagged a majestic 147 in the semi-finals.
Murphy cut an emotional figure as he was presented with the Paul Hunter Trophy for the first time in a decade.
And he wasn’t about to let it get away this time – taking it to bed with him in his hotel room.
Emulating Argentina legend Lionel Messi sleeping with the World Cup, the snooker star snuggled up with the gong in the hours following the win.
Murphy uploaded a snap of him snoozing with the trophy to his 70,000 Instagram followers.
He wrote: “Thank you so much for your kind words and support!
“It’s going to take a while for this one to sink in.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“But for now, me and my trophy are going to bed.”
The Magician hit four centuries and had to be at his brilliant best to stave off a Wilson comeback at Ally Pally.
It was also a strong night for Murphy’s bank balance, as he potted his way to a cool £350,000.
He also bagged a further £15,000 bonus on top for achieving the highest break of the tournament.
Murphy said after the match: “I cannot believe this. I’m in shock.
“I thought these days, at the business end of events, had gone for me.
“[My BBC colleague] Peter Ebdon was very strong and made me discover that self-belief. He has reminded me that I used to be quite good at this.
“There’s still life in the old dog yet.”
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
1969 – John Spencer 1970 – Ray Reardon 1971 – John Spencer 1972 – Alex Higgins 1973 – Ray Reardon (2) 1974 – Ray Reardon (3) 1975 – Ray Reardon (4) 1976 – Ray Reardon (5) 1977 – John Spencer (2) 1978 – Ray Reardon (6) 1979 – Terry Griffiths 1980 – Cliff Thorburn 1981 – Steve Davis 1982 – Alex Higgins (2) 1983 – Steve Davis (2) 1984 – Steve Davis (3) 1985 – Dennis Taylor 1986 – Joe Johnson 1987 – Steve Davis (4) 1988 – Steve Davis (5) 1989 – Steve Davis (6) 1990 – Stephen Hendry 1991 – John Parrott 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 – Ken Doherty 1998 – John Higgins 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 – Mark Williams 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan 2002 – Peter Ebdon 2003 – Mark Williams (2) 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2) 2005 – Shaun Murphy 2006 – Graeme Dott 2007 – John Higgins (2) 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3) 2009 – John Higgins (3) 2010 – Neil Robertson 2011 – John Higgins (4) 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4) 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5) 2014 – Mark Selby 2015 – Stuart Bingham 2016 – Mark Selby (2) 2017 – Mark Selby (3) 2018 – Mark Williams (3) 2019 – Judd Trump 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6) 2021 – Mark Selby (4) 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7) 2023 – Luca Brecel 2024 – Kyren WilsonMost World Titles (modern era)
7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 – Alex HigginsHe added: “It’s not in Kyren’s DNA to give up. He fought until the end.
“There were a few frames when it was panic stations.
“This is right up there. The win in 2015 cemented my Triple Crown and I joined that club. But this win is arguably bigger.
“It has been an incredible week. One of the best crowds in the whole world.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy after beating Kyren Wilson to £365k payday )
Also on site :
- Cavs at Heat Game 4 - Cavs deliver historic beat down (138-83)
- Arsenal vs PSG: Preview, Lineups & Broadcast
- Barcelona vs. Inter Milan: Preview & Prediction