Snooker star Shaun Murphy repeats 147 heroics at Perfect Challenge and insists on disputed nine-darter claim

This was the second year that bookmaker Paddy Power organised the unique and fun spectacle, featuring invited stars from snooker, darts, and golf as they attempted to complete perfection with either a 147, nine-darter, or hole-in-one in their respective sport.

At the inaugural staging last year, keen golfer Murphy - who had fired up the old-age debate about which sporting perfection was most difficult by claiming to have achieved all three feats - was the only player to succeed across the trio of endeavours, and now he has done it again.

Representing snooker, Murphy was joined by fellow former world champions Kyren Wilson and Luca Brecel; the night before Brecel was defeated in UK Championship qualifying.

Darts royalty Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, and Damon Heta toed the oche, while European Tour event-winning golfers Ross Fisher, Matt Wallace, and Robert Rock aimed for an ace.

Last year there was a time limit on the three sports - which all get played at the same time - but for this latest edition, organisers upped the ante with the event continuing until two of the three acts were achieved.

With the pros battling away for more than six hours, with thousands of darts thrown, and golf balls hit, Murphy was the only one to realise perfection, and as bad light halted progress on the golf course, the challenge was brought to a close.

Earlier in the day, both Bunting and Van Gerwen went agonisingly close to landing nine darters, missing D12 and D18, with the latter desperately calling on fellow player Luke Littler for help, but to no avail.

While on the golf course, drama unfolded as Fisher hit the flag when going for a glory and a pressure filled Matt Wallace, desperate to nab second place, was inches away from landing the ultimate ending with his last shot of the day - his effort spinning agonisingly back over the hole without dropping into the cup.

Shortly after sinking 15 reds with blacks and all the colours, Murphy reiterated his nine-dart finish claim, although admitted no-one who has seen him play darts would believe he’s got what it takes at the oche.

The reigning Masters and British Open champion said: “I totally understand people’s scepticism around it. But on that night, in the pub with my mates I hit a nine.

“I was using a set of Phil Taylor darts that he’d gifted me, and those nine went in.

Following the event, Paddy Power himself said: “It’s official – once again Shaun Murphy is a machine, no-one can get the better of him. I’m just glad he pulled it off in a warm studio and not out in the freezing cold like the poor golfers who came so close to the win. The debate rages on!”

The event was streamed live on Paddy Power’s YouTube channel and formed part of Paddy Power’s Even Bigger 180 campaign, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK. As part of this year’s campaign, Paddy Power has launched Darts of Destiny, a first of its kind charity challenge with Prostate Cancer UK where one member of the public will get the chance to throw nine darts on the Ally Pally stage to win £180,000.

Paddy Power’s Even Bigger 180 campaign continues throughout the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, with the bookie also donating £1,000 per 180 scored and putting £180,000 on the line for each nine-darter.

Funds raised support Prostate Cancer UK’s TRANSFORM trial, a ground-breaking initiative to revolutionise prostate cancer screening and save thousands of lives.

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