SHAUN MURPHY celebrated his epic Masters victory by emulating one of football’s greats – and napping with his new prize.
The 42-year-old beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in a modern day classic on Sunday night.
Murphy‘s triumph was his first at the Masters since completing the Triple Crown in 2015.
It completed a stunning week for the former world champ, who also bagged a majestic 147 in the semi-finals.
Murphy cut an emotional figure as he was presented with the Paul Hunter Trophy for the first time in a decade.
And he wasn’t about to let it get away this time – taking it to bed with him in his hotel room.
Emulating Argentina legend Lionel Messi sleeping with the World Cup, the snooker star snuggled up with the gong in the hours following the win.
Murphy uploaded a snap of him snoozing with the trophy to his 70,000 Instagram followers.
He wrote: “Thank you so much for your kind words and support!
“It’s going to take a while for this one to sink in.
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“But for now, me and my trophy are going to bed.”
Murphy and Messi aren’t the only sporting stars to memorably take their trophies to bed.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Shaun Murphy branded a ‘confirmed wimp’ as he’s sent running during Masters semi-final by infamous Ally Pally wasp” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367299287112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Just earlier this year, Luke Littler slept with the PDC World Darts Championship trophy after his success at Ally Pally.
Robert Lewandowski took his huge trophy hail to bed in 2020.
Then in 2021, and painfully for England fans, Italy duo Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini shared a bed with the Euros trophy after defeating the Three Lions at Wembley.
The Magician hit four centuries and had to be at his brilliant best to stave off a Wilson comeback at Ally Pally.
It was also a strong night for Murphy’s bank balance, as he potted his way to a cool £350,000.
He also bagged a further £15,000 bonus on top for achieving the highest break of the tournament.
Murphy said after the match: “I cannot believe this. I’m in shock.
“I thought these days, at the business end of events, had gone for me.
“[My BBC colleague] Peter Ebdon was very strong and made me discover that self-belief. He has reminded me that I used to be quite good at this.
“There’s still life in the old dog yet.”
He added: “It’s not in Kyren’s DNA to give up. He fought until the end.
“There were a few frames when it was panic stations.
“This is right up there. The win in 2015 cemented my Triple Crown and I joined that club. But this win is arguably bigger.
“It has been an incredible week. One of the best crowds in the whole world.”