Shaun Murphy’s Snooker Shoot Out 147 ‘more difficult’ than Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record-breaking maximum

Dominic Dale believes Shaun Murphy’s history-making 147 at the Shoot Out was “more difficult” than Ronnie’s O’Sullivan’s fastest-ever maximum.

Mark Allen’s 142 had previously held the record for the competition’s highest break.

TV presenter Richard Osman said on X that he thinks Murphy’s maximum “should be fourth on the all-time list” behind Cliff Thorburn (first 147 at the World Championship), O’Sullivan (fastest 147 in snooker history in five minutes and eight seconds) and Stephen Hendry (in deciding frame of 1997 Charity Challenge final against O’Sullivan).

Asked how he ranks Murphy’s 147 after beating him in the opening session of Friday’s action at the Shoot Out, Dale said on Eurosport: “This is more difficult because there’s a lot of pressure.

“Any half mistake you make can cost you the match, there’s the audience [noise] too, so it doesn’t make things easy.

“It’s an incredible feat in a tournament like this. Shaun has made a lot of maximums but this has to be No. 1.”

Eurosport expert Jimmy White described Murphy’s break as “absolutely amazing”.

He said: “To do it in the Shoot Out with the shot clock and crowd…Ronnie’s 147 was absolutely amazing because of how quick it was, Thorburn because it was the first one at the Crucible.

“But I think we have to put Shaun’s second in the all-time 147 because of the situation.”

Murphy couldn’t find the same level as he did the previous evening as he was beaten 46-44 by Dale.

Speaking before the match, he revealed that he was given a standing ovation on his way back into the players’ lounge following his 147 on Thursday evening.

“That was nice,” he said.

“We are in this social media age when everyone is interacting but the respect of your peers is the biggest credit you can get.”

Asked how he would rank his break in the all-time list, he added: “I have no idea, to be in the conversation is grand.

“I think that’s for other people to rank it.

“It was completely bonkers. Absolutely incredible. No-one was more surprised than me. It was amazing.”

Murphy’s maximum was the eighth of his career.

“Honestly one of the best things I’ve ever seen in snooker. Simply ridiculous,” wrote Mark Allen on X.