Shaun Murphy, the 2005 snooker world champion, stirred a pot of controversy with his claim of achieving a coveted nine-darter in darts, adding fuel to the fire by also boasting a hole-in-one in golf. This audacious claim, reminiscent of a pub tall tale, caught the attention of bookmaker Paddy Power, known for their playful marketing stunts. They released a video seemingly depicting Murphy achieving the perfect darts score, further fanning the flames of debate. However, the darts community, including professional player Luke Humphries, remained unconvinced, viewing the video with skepticism and suggesting it was a clever piece of editing, much like an elaborate April Fool’s prank. Humphries’ witty retort, stating his intention to achieve a perfect 147 break in snooker the following week, underscored the disbelief surrounding Murphy’s claims. Even seasoned darts referee Kirk Bevins chimed in, playfully suggesting the timing of the video was suspiciously close to April Fool’s Day.
The controversy surrounding Murphy’s nine-darter claim escalated during a publicized challenge organized by Paddy Power, featuring Murphy and fellow snooker legend Mark Williams. The challenge required Murphy to demonstrate his alleged darts prowess. However, his performance fell far short of the mark, his attempts ranging from wildly off-target to barely grazing the dartboard. This public display of ineptitude further fueled the skepticism surrounding his claims. Ironically, Murphy did manage to achieve a perfect 147 break in snooker during the same event, fulfilling the challenge’s primary objective but doing little to quell the doubts surrounding his darts abilities.
The simmering tension surrounding the nine-darter debate boiled over into a public disagreement between Murphy and Luke Humphries during the Paddy Power event. The two engaged in a spirited argument about the relative difficulty of achieving a nine-darter versus a 147 break in snooker. Humphries argued that while a hole-in-one might be the easiest to achieve for an amateur, a nine-darter would be next, with a 147 being the most difficult. He qualified this by adding that for professionals who understand the nuances of their respective sports, a 147 might seem easier. Murphy, however, vehemently disagreed, asserting that a 147 is undoubtedly harder than a nine-darter. The back-and-forth continued, with Humphries pointing out the statistical rarity of nine-darters compared to 147 breaks, a point Murphy countered by arguing that frequency didn’t equate to ease of achievement. The exchange concluded with both players seemingly entrenched in their respective positions.
The origins of Murphy’s contentious nine-darter claim can be traced back to an interview he gave to The Telegraph in April 2024. In the interview, he recounted a period in his life, circa 2009-2010, where he spent considerable time in pubs, neglecting his snooker practice. He claimed to have developed a reasonable level of skill at darts during these pub sessions, regularly hitting 180s and, on one occasion, achieving the elusive nine-darter. This anecdote, delivered with an air of casual nonchalance, became the foundation of the ongoing debate. Murphy further embellished his story by claiming to have also achieved a hole-in-one in golf, making him a member of a seemingly exclusive club of individuals who have achieved all three feats. He presented this claim as a challenge to others, inviting them to “join the club” if they could match his achievements, while simultaneously dismissing any disbelief as mere jealousy.
Murphy’s recounting of the nine-darter achievement was laced with specific details, lending a veneer of authenticity to his story. He mentioned using darts given to him by legendary darts player Phil Taylor, which were kept behind the bar at his local pub. He described the event as a “random game,” implying it wasn’t a serious or planned attempt, further adding to the extraordinary nature of the claim. He also emphasized the uniqueness of his supposed accomplishment, stating he had yet to meet anyone else who had achieved all three feats – a nine-darter, a 147, and a hole-in-one. This served to heighten the sense of exceptionalism surrounding his claim, painting him as a uniquely talented individual.
The story, however, is rife with inconsistencies and relies heavily on anecdotal evidence, lacking any concrete proof. The pub setting, the shared darts, and the absence of witnesses all contribute to the difficulty of verifying his claim. This lack of verifiable evidence makes the story susceptible to skepticism, especially within the professional darts community. The fact that Murphy’s demonstrated darts skills in the Paddy Power challenge were far below the level required for a nine-darter further undermines his claims. While he did achieve a 147 break in snooker during the event, this achievement does little to substantiate his darts claims. The overall narrative, therefore, remains a point of contention and amusement within the sporting world, with many viewing it as more of a tall tale than a genuine accomplishment.
