Shaun Murphy says he’s as surprised as anyone that he managed to bank the record-breaking prize money at the Masters.
The 42-year-old scooped the iconic trophy for a second time on Sunday – ten years after he completed the Triple Crown at the same venue.
In doing so, he has pocketed £350,000 – the highest prize money in the event’s 50-year history following a £100,000 increase.
He even added an extra £15,000 to his bank balance following a maximum 147 break in his semi-final victory over Mark Allen.
For Murphy, it was his first major final since losing to Mark Selby at the World Snooker Championship in 2021.
Just one of 11 players in the exclusive Triple Crown club for winning the World Championship, UK Championship and the Masters, Murphy has admitted he thought he was finished at the top level.
So low was his belief at winning another major tournament, the ‘Magician’ told talkSPORT it was the reason for him moving into punditry on the side.
Speaking on the Drive show, Murphy declared he went into events with no pressure because he felt he was merely turning up to show his face.
“There is no pressure at all on you because you’ve taken it off yourself, and I think some players use it as a bit of a diversion tactic.
“They say that they’ve not been practising or they don’t fancy it or whatever it might be, just in case they lose.
“Whereas for me, it’s been genuine, I didn’t think I’d be competing for those events any longer.
“So I moved into the broadcasting side of it, I do a lot of commentary now.
“Obviously I do the studio analysis and stuff with the team and that’s all been great add-ons.
“But I’m just as surprised as anyone, because it looks like I’m not finished!”
Murphy, who became the second-youngest World Championship winner in 2005, has admitted his latest success has left him almost speechless.
He remarked: “It’s one of the best weeks of my snooker life, it’s got to be up there as one of my highlights.
“I said before the final if I won this tournament it would be as big as my win in 2015 at the Masters, do you know, I think this is probably better, it’s probably bigger.
“I’m just so, so pleased, I can’t believe it, I’m still in a bit of shock to be honest!
“I thought those days had finished for me to be honest, I thought those wins at big major events had gone, so I can’t quite believe it.”
For Murphy, his attention will now turn towards the German Masters which starts next week.
With the Masters not a ranking title, Murphy will be sitting outside of the top 16 once the rankings are updated.
And he knows he will have to rack up the points in the coming months if he wishes to avoid going through qualification for the World Championship in April.
