Shaun Murphy Smashes 12-Year Record With 607 Unanswered Points at China Open

Shaun Murphy made snooker history on August 9 at the China Open in Taiyuan, scoring 607 unanswered points in a dominant 6-0 victory over Matthew Selt in the first round. The 43-year-old’s record-breaking run surpassed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 12-year-old mark of 556 points, set at the 2014 Masters. Murphy also equalled the record for four consecutive century breaks in a single match, cementing one of the most devastating performances in professional snooker.

How Murphy shattered the scoring record

Murphy compiled breaks of 139, 133, 113, 109, 61 and 55 to demolish Selt without reply. His 607-point sequence spanned multiple frames, with frame six proving particularly destructive. The previous record of 556, held by O’Sullivan since 2014, stood for over a decade before Murphy’s breakthrough performance.

Murphy’s reaction and career context

Murphy told the World Snooker Tour he did not check the record during the interval, preferring to stay in “the bubble and the flow.” He joked that his 607 points resembled “a cricket score” and said being part of snooker history was “a great thrill.” The Englishman, who turns 44 on Monday, lost the World Championship final 18-17 to China’s Wu Yize in May but has bounced back with this dominant display in Taiyuan.

Four centuries and a near-maximum

Murphy’s match also featured four consecutive century breaks, equalling his own career record for that feat. In the penultimate frame, his 113-point contribution ended on the 15th black during a maximum break attempt, denying him a perfect 147. Despite falling short of a maximum, Murphy safely progressed to round two, where he will face China’s Xiao Guodong on August 12.

Tournament context and other results

The China Open, the first main ranking event of the 2026-27 season, saw world number one Judd Trump lose 6-3 to Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham on August 9. Ronnie O’Sullivan recovered from losing the opening two frames to beat Wales’ Jackson Page 6-2, setting up a second-round clash with Saengkham. The tournament runs through August 16 at the Riverside Sports Centre in Taiyuan.

Final Thoughts

Murphy’s 607-point record caps a remarkable comeback after losing the World Championship final three months ago. With the China Open offering £250,000 to the winner, Murphy has signalled his intent early in the season. Investors in snooker media rights should note this calibre of performance drives viewership and sponsorship value.

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