SNOOKER champion Shaun Murphy attempted to prove he can hit a nine-darter – but the likes of Luke Humphries were not so convinced.
The 2005 snooker world champion once claimed not only has he hit a nine-darter – the perfect score in darts – but also a golf hole in one.
And bookmakers Paddy Power looked to make light of his claim by sharing a video which appeared to show Murphy hitting a nine-dart.
But Humphries was not to be fooled by the infamous pranksters at Paddy Power.
He responded to the video: “And I’ll make 147 next week.”
PDC darts referee Kirk Bevins added: “You could have at least waited for April 1st!”
Murphy did compete in a Paddy Power challenge with snooker legend Mark Williams.
But he failed to live up to his own words in a woeful attempt to hit the nine-darter – at one point not even making it on to the board.
Although Murphy did make a 147 with less than 15 minutes remaining – completing the challenge he was set.
It was at the same event Murphy and Humphries had an awkward argument over what is harder to hit – a nine-darter or 147.
Humphries said: said: “If you give someone a set of darts, a snooker cue and a golf club, I think they would do the hole in one first, nine-darter second and 147 last. That would be harder.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘Don’t come here no more’ – Luke Littler’s darts coach reveals why they had to ‘get rid of him’ from the academy at 13″ 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=”6366680782112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“But to a professional, snooker players know all the angles.”
Murphy could be heard laughing in the background before saying: “I didn’t know you were a comedian. A 147 is harder than a nine-darter.”
Humphries replied: “What’s funny about that? Did you hear what I said though?
“I said when you’re a professional and you know all the angles, in my opinion, you make it look easy.
“In frames to legs of darts, you have more 147s than nine-darters.”
Murphy then said: “Well, that does not make it easier.”
The awkward exchange came to an end when Humprhies quickly responded: “I didn’t say it was easier.”
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It was in an interview with The Telegraph in April 2024 when Murphy made his infamous nine-dart claim.
He said: “I’m not a good darts player by any stretch but there was a period in my life around 2009 and 2010 when I was spending far too much time in the pub and not enough playing snooker.
“It would be practice, drop the cue off, and three, four, five nights a week in the pub. I got to a decent level. I would throw one or two 180s a night.
“The darts that Phil Taylor gave me were kept behind the bar, got shared around and then, one random game… nine perfect darts.
“It happened once and I don’t think it will ever happen again. I’ve yet to meet anyone else who has done all three.
“If people want to join the club, applications are open. It’s a debate that rages on social media.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people don’t believe me. Jealousy is a terrible thing.”
The hole in one – Murphy claims – happened on the par three seventh at the Royal Worlington and Newmarket Club.
