Masters 2025: ‘Maximum’ Entertainment from Shaun Murphy to Seal Final Spot

A thrilling semi-final unfolded at the 2025 Masters as Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen, once close friends, faced off on the iconic Alexandra Palace stage. 

Their once-documented friendship has turned into a competitive rivalry, partly fuelled by a heated exchange at last year’s UK Championship. Murphy had criticised Allen’s deliberate and slow tactical play during a BBC commentary, suggesting it was designed to frustrate opponents.

“Now, it's completely within the rules. But at what stage do we question whether the amount of time Mark Allen is taking over simple decisions is a tactic to annoy his opponent? I can't see any reason other than that for why he's taking so long,” Murphy said at the time.

However, all animosity was put aside during their match, particularly when Murphy achieved perfection with a 147-maximum break—his first in a Triple Crown event. Allen, showing great sportsmanship, clapped, and grinned as Murphy delivered one of snooker’s most iconic moments.

Allen started the match strongly, grinding out the opening two frames. But Murphy soon took control, reeling off three consecutive frames with breaks of 83 and 54 before making his historic maximum in the sixth frame, giving him a 4-2 lead. 

The Pistol fought back to claim one more frame in the seventh, but Murphy’s brilliance proved too much, as he closed out the match 6-3 to secure his first Masters final in a decade.

"One of the Highlights of My Snooker Life"

Post-match, Murphy was still basking in the glory of his achievement. Reflecting on his first 147 at a Triple Crown event, he described it as a lifelong dream come true.

“Incredible moment and probably one of the highlights of my entire snooker life from being an 8-year-old boy. I wanted to make a 147 in one of the Triple Crown events since I started playing snooker,” Murphy told SportsBoom.com. 

Murphy narrowly missed the chance to complete a 147 in his previous match against Neil Robertson, a mistake that weighed on his mind as he approached the decisive frame today.

“I've never really come close until the other day when I finished behind the blue. When it became apparent it was a good chance, I just was thinking, don't finish behind the blue, don't mess it up, don't mess it up. And I didn't.”

“It's the loudest roar I've ever heard in a snooker arena. I've never heard or experienced anything like that. It was absolutely sensational. I have to say the crowds here this week have been unbelievable.”

Is It Time for Snooker Celebrations to Mirror Football?

Murphy’s celebrations after hitting the maximum and clinching the match were a rare display of passion in snooker. His fist pumps and interaction with the crowd sparked a conversation about whether such displays should become more commonplace in the sport.

“I've been consistent in my confusion around other players and their lack of interaction with the crowd. If you went to the West End and at the end of the show the cast just walked off, you would feel a little hard done to.”

“I suppose I am a bit of a performer and maybe if I wasn't a snooker player, maybe I would've found my way into that kind of world. So, I think it's important to give the crowd everything you can as well. They give you, their support. The crowd were unbelievable today. It would've been weird if I'd just walked off.”

When asked if he might develop a signature celebration, akin to footballers like Jude Bellingham or Cole Palmer, Murphy remained open to the idea but noted it would depend on the setting.

“I mean, listen, who knows. I mean, it won't work at a qualifier in Leicester. That'll be weird. But I get a lot from the crowd. They give me an extra five, 10%, which you don't get in a small quiet arena.”

“The crowd make it. And we all remember playing in the pandemic behind closed doors. Nobody enjoyed that. So having gone through that, I'm grateful for every match I play in front of a packed audience. And there wasn't a spare seat in Ally Pally today. It was amazing.”

Chasing History and a Bonus Prize

Murphy’s 147 also puts him in the running for a lucrative £147,000 prize offered to any player who can hit two maximum breaks across the four major snooker events this season. Alongside Noppon Saengkham and Anda Zhang, who have already recorded maximums in other tournaments, Murphy now has a chance to etch his name in history.

“What a fabulous bonus and what an opportunity. There's three of us that are in the mix. I should just have another one tomorrow and wrap it up. Another opportunity would be brilliant. That would solve everything.”

Final Showdown Awaits

Murphy’s focus now shifts to tomorrow’s final, where he will face either Judd Trump or Kyren Wilson. Despite his stellar form, Murphy knows he will enter the match as the underdog but remains optimistic and light-hearted about the challenge ahead.

“I'll be second favourite whoever comes through. I think Wilson or Trump would be favourite to win. Judd Trump is a winning machine, and Wilson is the world champion. So, whoever comes through, I think they'll be favourite.

“I think all the pressure will be on them. No pressure on me. I'm an old man now, so I'm going to prepare, enjoy my day out. I'm going to give everything I've got and hopefully I'll get to put the trophy in the car and drive home.

“Whatever happens tonight, hopefully it finishes 6-5 at 2AM tomorrow morning.”

As the 2025 Masters reaches its climax, Murphy’s incredible form and historic maximum break have already made this year’s tournament unforgettable.