07 January 2023 , 20:55
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Snooker star Shaun Murphy once suggested he could be the only person to have accomplished a trinity of sporting marvels.
The man who has made six career maximums to date is by no means limited to rare feats in snooker and has proved his credentials as a bad hand in darts and golf, too. Recording a 147 in snooker is among the most skilful achievements one can muster on the baize, equivalent (or thereabouts) to hitting a nine-darter at the oche or a hole in one off a tee.
But not all feats are created equal, according to Murphy, who is inclined to think he may be alone in managing all three. When pressed on his achievements across the disciplines, 'The Magician' assured his wizard-like talents truly transfer.
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“That is true and, currently, I think it’s a club of one," Murphy told National Club Golfer in 2022 after being asked about his . "I don’t know anyone else who’s done all three. We did a funny Twitter poll because Wayne Mardle, the former pro darts player, is a good friend of mine and he’s a commentator on Sky now. We’ve played golf together and had a bit of banter and we always have the craic about what’s harder: is it the nine-darter or is it the 147?
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“Now, obviously, it’s the 147. Anyone who says nine-darter needs to go and see a doctor immediately. But we have that bit of banter quite often and, the last time we did it, I think the hole-in-one got thrown in and it was, like, hang on a minute, I’ve done all three."
Many sports fans would be overjoyed to pull off any one of the achievements, while two would be a dream for some. But to scratch off all three would be considered bucket list-worthy for more than a few fans of snooker, darts and golf.
Shaun Murphy believes his exploits in snooker, darts and golf put him in a "club of one" (SNS Group)"I’ve only had one hole-in-one and I’ve only had one nine-darter but as I sit here talking to you, I’m not aware of anyone else who’s done all three," added Murphy. "People can send their applications in any way they want. There’s lots of room to join the club.”
The Magician will have been plugged into Michael Smith's recent triumph at Alexandra Palace, where he beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4 to lift his maiden World Darts Championship. 'Bully Boy' struck a spectacular nine-darter of his own en route to the biggest win of his career to date, though a 147 or a hole-in-one likely evade the St. Helens native.
Murphy hasn't hit a maximum since the 2021 German Masters but will look to change that when he lines up for the Masters on Sunday. The 12th seed has the unenviable honour of facing No. 1 Neil Robertson in the first round, hoping to replicate his win over the Australian in the competition's 2015 final.