Snooker star Shaun Murphy claims he was ‘ambushed’ before awful darts throws in front of Van Gerwen and Humphries
SHAUN MURPHY has claimed he was ambushed during his awful attempt at a nine-darter.
The snooker star took part in The Paddy Power Perfect Challenge along with fellow cueist Mark Williams, darts champions Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen and golfers Matt Wallace and Ross Fisher.
Murphy was tasked with hitting a 147 – a feat he achieved, having come close in a previous attempt before missing a simple brown.
The former snooker world champion then tried his hand at a nine-darter, having claimed to have hit one before.
But he failed miserably with his attempt, with two of his first three darts even failing to score.
Murphy admits he was “rubbish” but claimed he was ambushed as he made his attempt.
He told Eurosport: “I haven’t played darts for 15 years.
“I was ambushed, live yesterday. I was asked to throw three darts in front of Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, the world’s press and media, Mark Williams, I was so nervous.”
Paddy Power attempted to answer the question of what is most difficult – a 147 break in snooker, a nine-darter, or a hole-in-one in golf.
Only Murphy managed to accomplish his task, but after his attempt on the oche, Van Gerwen was left questioning whether he actually did hit a nine-darter previously.
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The Dutchman joked: “Was it 301 or 101?”
Murphy has previously claimed he is the only person in history to have achieved a 147, nine-darter and a hole-in-one.
He also got into a row with Humphries after the darts world champion claimed that for a novice, a 147 would be the most challenging feat.
However, he suggested it would be a nine-darter for a professional sportsman, sparking raucous laughter from Murphy, who said: “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.”