SHAUN MURPHY produced a brilliant 147 to win this year’s Paddy Power Perfect Challenge.
But in doing so, the former world champion may have disproved his own point.
Murphy, 43, rowed with ex-darts No1 Luke Humphries over whether a perfect 147 frame in snooker is more difficult than a nine-darter in darts or hole-in-one in golf.
The 2005 Crucible king claimed that it is, an opinion Humphries vehemently disagreed with.
Paddy Power subsequently put on their Perfect Challenge – inviting top stars from each sport to try to achieve perfection in their respective discipline, in a bid to put the debate to bed.
Ironically Murphy won the challenge, hitting a 147 before the darts and golf stars could manage a nine-darter or a hole-in-one.
This year the Magician, as well as fellow former world champions Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson, took part in the challenge again.
They were joined on location in the Midlands by darts stars Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price and Damon Heta.
Meanwhile, golfers Ross Fisher, Matt Wallace and Robert Rock were on hand at the Lingfield Park Golf Club in Surrey.
Fisher, 45, came agonisingly close to winning the challenge – missing a hole-in-one by mere inches.
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Then Van Gerwen was a double-18 away from a perfect leg, only to miss the target.
After hours of trying, it was Murphy who made it a double by achieving a 147 and winning the challenge for a second consecutive year.
The PDC Darts’ official social media team cheekily posted: “See @weareWST the 147 break is the easiest out of the three…”
Speaking to Anna Woolhouse moments after completing his 147, Murphy said: “Everyone involved in this challenge represents the best in their field so it’s been me this day but it could have been any of the guys doing it at any time.
“It’s been a frustrating day in some regards because there’s been so many near misses, we could have been out of here five hours ago!”
On making it back-to-back victories, Murphy added: “Who’d have thought it? Unbelievable! I’m not sure that I’ve done snooker any favours by doing it and showing it can be done.
“I’m not sure I’ve done anyone any favours, but listen, we’ve been here all day, it’s not easy and there’s been a lot of misses.”
Murphy previously claimed to have achieved all three; the 147, nine-darter and hole-in-one.
Last year, Humphries said to the Magician: “But to a professional, I think a nine-darter is harder than a 147. You have seen them (Murphy and Mark Williams), they know all the angles.”
To which Murphy replied: “I didn’t know you were a comedian!”
A miffed Humphries hit back: “What’s funny about that? Did you hear what I said though?
“When you know all the angles, in my opinion and you have your own one, when you know all the angles (a 147 is easier). You can see, Mark has come close already twice.
“That’s what I mean. I think when you are a professional and you are really good at the game of snooker, you make it look easy, a 147.”
Van Gerwen cheekily cut in: “Hey Murph, to you everything is easy, isn’t it? Hitting nine-darters everywhere.”
