Shaun Murphy's mum Jean and fiancee Elaine picked the right week to start watching him play. Murphy has been a professional snooker player for 17 years but they had never seen him compete live until now, breaking the habit of a lifetime to witness him complete a career ‘triple crown’ with a masterclass win over world No 1 Neil Robertson. ‘I’ve told them it’s not always like this,’ said Murphy after sealing a 10-2 victory to take the Masters title at London’s Alexandra Palace. Shaun Murphy poses with the 2015 Masters title after thrashing Neil Robertson 10-2 in the final on Sunday . The 32-year-old became only the 10th man in history to win the World, Masters and UK championships after the most commanding performance at this event since Steve Davis beat Mike Hallett 9-0 in the 1998 final. It is a decade since Murphy won the World Championship. He added a UK title in 2008 but despite being one of the most naturally talented ball strikers, this final piece of the puzzle had eluded him. ‘After winning the world title as a 22-year-old, I thought I’d blitz through these events, but I’ve had ups and downs,’ said Murphy. ‘This time last year I thought about walking away from snooker altogether.’ Robertson congratulates Murphy on his first Masters title after the emphatic 10-2 final at the Alexandra Palace . Murphy sits down in shock after cruising past Robertson in the Masters final to complete the Triple Crown . It was vital Robertson got off the mark quickly at the start of the second session but instead Murphy won the first frame. Murphy recorded his second century of the game with a superb 127 to extend his lead to 9-2 and put the title beyond Robertson. ‘I came to this event when I was 12. My dad asked if I felt I’d ever play in it and I said I’d love to. Winning it is unbelievable,’ said Murphy. The 32-year-old was playing inspired Snooker on Sunday to thrash Australian Neil Robertson 10-2 . Robertson failed to hit top form at the Alexandra Palace as Murphy powered to the Masters title . If he keeps playing like this he will be a major contender at the World Championship in May, and it was announced yesterday that the event will remain at The Crucible in Sheffield until at least 2017. Stephen Hendry, the record seven-time world champion, praised the decision. ‘I can’t imagine the World Championship anywhere else. It would just lack something, and it wouldn’t feel like the World Championship any more,’ he said. ‘It would be like taking the tennis away from Wimbledon. There is only one place truly to play snooker, and that is The Crucible.’
32-year-old cruised past the Australian 10-2 for his first Masters title .
Led Neil Robertson 6-2 after the first session before easing to victory .
Becomes only the 10th player to have won all three Snooker Majors .
Won the 2005 World title and the 2008 UK Championship .
Shaun Murphy's mum Jean and fiancee Elaine picked the right week to start watching him play. Murphy has been a professional snooker player for 17 years but they had never seen him compete live until now, breaking the habit of a lifetime to witness him complete a career ‘triple crown’ with a masterclass win over world No 1 Neil Robertson. ‘I’ve told them it’s not always like this,’ said Murphy after sealing a 10-2 victory to take the Masters title at London’s Alexandra Palace. Shaun Murphy poses with the 2015 Masters title after thrashing Neil Robertson 10-2 in the final on Sunday . The 32-year-old became only the 10th man in history to win the World, Masters and UK championships after the most commanding performance at this event since Steve Davis beat Mike Hallett 9-0 in the 1998 final. It is a decade since Murphy won the World Championship. He added a UK title in 2008 but despite being one of the most naturally talented ball strikers, this final piece of the puzzle had eluded him. ‘After winning the world title as a 22-year-old, I thought I’d blitz through these events, but I’ve had ups and downs,’ said Murphy. ‘This time last year I thought about walking away from snooker altogether.’ Robertson congratulates Murphy on his first Masters title after the emphatic 10-2 final at the Alexandra Palace . Murphy sits down in shock after cruising past Robertson in the Masters final to complete the Triple Crown . It was vital Robertson got off the mark quickly at the start of the second session but instead Murphy won the first frame. Murphy recorded his second century of the game with a superb 127 to extend his lead to 9-2 and put the title beyond Robertson. ‘I came to this event when I was 12. My dad asked if I felt I’d ever play in it and I said I’d love to. Winning it is unbelievable,’ said Murphy. The 32-year-old was playing inspired Snooker on Sunday to thrash Australian Neil Robertson 10-2 . Robertson failed to hit top form at the Alexandra Palace as Murphy powered to the Masters title . If he keeps playing like this he will be a major contender at the World Championship in May, and it was announced yesterday that the event will remain at The Crucible in Sheffield until at least 2017. Stephen Hendry, the record seven-time world champion, praised the decision. ‘I can’t imagine the World Championship anywhere else. It would just lack something, and it wouldn’t feel like the World Championship any more,’ he said. ‘It would be like taking the tennis away from Wimbledon. There is only one place truly to play snooker, and that is The Crucible.’
Sunday . The 32-year-old became only the 10th man in history to win the World, Masters and UK decade since Murphy won the World Championship. Murphy on his first Masters title after the Australian Neil Robertson 10-2 . Robertson failed