After missing out on a 147 maximum break on Thursday, snooker star Shaun Murphy has achieved redemption.
Murphy took on Mark Allen in the semi-finals of the Masters at the Alexandra Palace.
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Holding a 3-2 lead, Murphy went on to achieve a feat only five others had accomplished in tournament history by completing snooker perfection when he hit a 147.
A 147 maximum break is achieved when a player pots all 15 red balls, all 15 black balls and then the colours.
It is the equivalent of hitting a nine-dart leg or a hole-in-one in golf, underlining the skill required to accomplish the rare feat.
Upon potting the black ball, fans inside the Alexandra Palace leapt to their feet in applause as Murphy pumped his fist in delight.
Even Allen, who had previously made a 147 break at the Masters, was pleased for his opponent as he got out his chair to give Murphy a hug.
By hitting a maximum break, Murphy is also £15,000 richer given that is the prize for the highest break of the tournament.
Murphy went on to beat Allen 6-3 to secure a spot in the final.
Murphy’s accomplishment came two days after he looked on course to achieve a maximum break in the final frame of his quarter-final clash against Neil Robertson.
The Harlow-born star had cleared the table of all the reds and blacks but ran into trouble once he had to move over to the colours.
As he attempted to line up for the yellow, Murphy managed to put the ball right behind the blue and subsequently snookered himself.
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The fans inside the Alexandra Palace could scarcely believe Murphy’s error.
Nor could the match commentator, who said: “It’s an awful shot.”
Murphy could only look off into the distance with a disbelieving glance while Robertson shook his head.
He went on to win 6-2, but Murphy could have won far more.
An eye-watering £147,000 reward is on the table for players who can land two 147s at the three Triple Crown tournaments this season.
The Triple Crown consists of the World Snooker Championship, the Masters and the UK Championship.
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If Murphy hit the 147 against Robertson, he would have already secured the six-figure prize thanks to his exploits against Allen.
Luckily for Murphy, he’s pocketed a cool £75,000 for making the semi-finals.
His wallet could still grow in size depending on beating Allen and making the final of the Masters.
Should Murphy win, he’d take home £350,000 while a runners-up finish will land him £140,000.
