**Shaun Murphy Explains Controversial Crucible Decision Amid World Snooker Championship Drama**
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 World Snooker Champion, has offered an explanation following a move at the Crucible that left fans and commentators both puzzled and intrigued. Known for his frank opinions and deep love for the sport, Murphy found himself in the spotlight on Sunday after choosing to play on for snookers during his second-round match against Judd Trump, despite being faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
The controversy stems from Murphy’s actions in the sixth frame of the match. Trailing by 71 points, the Englishman continued to compete, trying to force a snooker. This was particularly noteworthy, as Murphy has previously spoken out against this very aspect of the game. Only last year, he had openly advocated on social media for a rule change that would see frames end immediately once a player is mathematically defeated, eliminating the need to play on for snookers.
At the time, Murphy wrote, “Unpopular opinion time… I think we should remove playing for snookers from the game. Once the frame is over mathematically, it’s over. What do you think?” His comments ignited debate among snooker enthusiasts, with many agreeing that such a change could speed up play and reduce confusion.
Fast forward to his clash with Judd Trump, and Murphy seemed to contradict his own position. As he sat in his chair, seconds ticked by and commentators David Hendon and Neal Foulds expressed their confusion. Foulds remarked, “I thought he was going to concede,” while Hendon added that referee Rob Spencer appeared ready to set up the next frame before Murphy eventually decided to play on.
Murphy’s choice allowed Trump to return to the table, and with a stroke of luck, he potted a red ball into the middle pocket, effectively sealing the frame. Foulds speculated this move may have been motivated by a sense of frustration, suggesting, “The frame is over now and maybe Judd thought Murphy should have conceded, so he decided to whack the balls as hard as he could.”
After the session, Murphy addressed the situation on social media. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he admitted to simply miscounting the score, saying, “I totally miscounted, thought I was 61 behind not 71.” He added a touch of humour, although fans were quick to point out that even if his count had been correct, he would still have required multiple snookers—a tall order in any case.
The incident did little to alter Trump’s momentum. The world number one clinched the final two frames of the session and extended his lead to 10-6 by Sunday evening. Trump’s performance not only brought him closer to a potential quarter-final against Luca Brecel—who leads Ding Junhui 12-4—but also saw him secure a historic 100th century break of the season. This outstanding achievement unlocked a £100,000 bonus for Trump, marking just the third time in snooker history that a player has reached the century mark in a single season. Trump himself previously set the record with 102 centuries in 2019/20, with Neil Robertson holding the all-time single-season record at 103.
Meanwhile, the Crucible has witnessed other captivating storylines. Ronnie O’Sullivan, another favourite, is edging towards another quarter-final berth, comfortably ahead of Pang Junxu with a commanding 12-4 scoreline. Should he progress, O’Sullivan will meet either Si Jiahui or Ben Woollaston, whose battle is much closer with Si currently leading 9-7.
Elsewhere, quarter-final line-ups are taking shape. John Higgins, Mark Williams, Chris Wakelin, and Zhao Xintong have all reserved their spots in the next round, with compelling matches scheduled between Higgins and Williams, as well as Wakelin and Zhao.
Murphy’s moment of error might be seen as a minor footnote in a championship full of tension and remarkable feats, but it highlights the scrutinising nature of professional sport and the unpredictability that even veterans contend with. As the tournament moves forward, fans will be watching closely—not just for the snooker, but for the human drama that plays out on and off the baize.