Snooker player Shaun Murphy says Amateurs shouldnt be allowed to play with pros....

I believe he can earn his card by finishing among the top 8 players without a card on the one-year list. So in that sense, he is playing for a 2-year card every time he goes out.

Here is how different players qualified this year for reference,
That’s only for players already on the tour who didn’t qualify by being the top 64 or by being the top 27 on the 2nd year of their two card. The top 8 on the one year list are only for players gaining ranking points already on the tour who haven’t qualified by other means. The top up players aren’t eligible for ranking points and are not officially on the tour, so he can’t be included in the qualifying criteria that apply to players on the tour.
 
I'm not convinced anyone misunderstood what he said.

What he meant may well be a different thing of course.

In snooker (and in any sport, in my view...albeit that is of course subjective), you should play the ball not the man, if he (or she) is better, you lose, if you are better, you win. Pretty simple.

Everyone has their own pressures and even if Murphy was the one under more pressure (in his eyes)... he is a pro and has a tour card, he should (and 99/100 does) be able to deal with pressure situations, it is ridiculous to suggest an amateur has any sort of advantage.

If the pro players object to amateurs getting a share of prize money without paying their dues (be it fees, appearances, media commitments or whatever) that is a separate point, but Murphy was 100% incorrect in what he said (again to re-iterate, that is perhaps different from what he meant).
Interestingly, I don’t think money is an issue at all.

But your comments suggest you have misunderstood what he said. He didn’t complain about losing, or who played better or worse. He complained that they have changed a well established system for this season, and that it’s not fair to players that earned their tour card through traditional means. Other pros/ex-pros (except Ronnie, who doesn’t give a shit) have basically said what’s the point of having a series of processes and criteria for being able top play in pro events if they then ignore all that and allow amateurs to join the pro events anyway.

By the way, he has spoken quite a bit on this issue since his first comments, with quite a bit of clarification, and with the support of a lot of pundits and players, people who know him well. That’s not always the case when players say something contentious. Ronnie often times has been criticized by pros and pundits for things he’s said, as have other players. I think in this case, they all know that he’s a gent and has been a really good ambassador for snooker for most his professional career. He’s even allowed them to make fun of him for his comments as he’s been working commentary since his loss, and he’s taken it all in a good sport and accepted a lot of the criticism he got.

I just don’t think he deserves a lot of the hate he’s getting for it. He really isn’t a sore loser. He always conducts himself with professionalism. His timing was shit, and he should have kept his comments out of the media (or maybe he shouldn’t have, apparently snooker has been on the back page of the English papers all week because of what he said), but he’s a decent dude who let his mouth run. If you want to see a sore loser, check out some of Gary Wilson’s post loss interviews.
 
Interestingly, I don’t think money is an issue at all.

But your comments suggest you have misunderstood what he said. He didn’t complain about losing, or who played better or worse. He complained that they have changed a well established system for this season, and that it’s not fair to players that earned their tour card through traditional means. Other pros/ex-pros (except Ronnie, who doesn’t give a shit) have basically said what’s the point of having a series of processes and criteria for being able top play in pro events if they then ignore all that and allow amateurs to join the pro events anyway.

By the way, he has spoken quite a bit on this issue since his first comments, with quite a bit of clarification, and with the support of a lot of pundits and players, people who know him well. That’s not always the case when players say something contentious. Ronnie often times has been criticized by pros and pundits for things he’s said, as have other players. I think in this case, they all know that he’s a gent and has been a really good ambassador for snooker for most his professional career. He’s even allowed them to make fun of him for his comments as he’s been working commentary since his loss, and he’s taken it all in a good sport and accepted a lot of the criticism he got.

I just don’t think he deserves a lot of the hate he’s getting for it. He really isn’t a sore loser. He always conducts himself with professionalism. His timing was shit, and he should have kept his comments out of the media (or maybe he shouldn’t have, apparently snooker has been on the back page of the English papers all week because of what he said), but he’s a decent dude who let his mouth run. If you want to see a sore loser, check out some of Gary Wilson’s post loss interviews.
Good post!
Looks like he's in the process of learning a new position (much like Ronnie) as commentary. He is taking his lumps and learn from it.
Every competitor has been on the emotional rollercoaster. His apology highlights that. He very well could have a valid point regarding the system. To prevail in debate he needs to work on his presentation. Being a world class athlete proves his ability to devote himself.
 
As teh tournament is also being discussed in this thread, Luca Brecel just played god-like snooker to beat Kyren Wilson in the first semi-final. He won 6-4 with breaks of 59, 80, 97, 102, 105, 112, and 130. Absolutely ridiculous.
 
As teh tournament is also being discussed in this thread, Luca Brecel just played god-like snooker to beat Kyren Wilson in the first semi-final. He won 6-4 with breaks of 59, 80, 97, 102, 105, 112, and 130. Absolutely ridiculous.
He was truly unplayable, incredible stuff. Nobody could have beaten him today.

Tournaments been crazy so far, all the big names dropping by the wayside.

Been most unpredictable championship for years.
 
He was truly unplayable, incredible stuff. Nobody could have beaten him today.

Tournaments been crazy so far, all the big names dropping by the wayside.

Been most unpredictable championship for years.

big names dropping out has been a blessing. what stellar play we get to watch from zhao and brecel. and it's all out attack-style snooker too, at a fast pace.
 
As teh tournament is also being discussed in this thread, Luca Brecel just played god-like snooker to beat Kyren Wilson in the first semi-final. He won 6-4 with breaks of 59, 80, 97, 102, 105, 112, and 130. Absolutely ridiculous.
Walked into a buzz saw comes to mind.
 
big names dropping out has been a blessing. what stellar play we get to watch from zhao and brecel. and it's all out attack-style snooker too, at a fast pace.
Absolutely I though loosing the big names may give us some lower quality matches, but it had been the absolute reverse. As you say, we have seen top quality, flowing attacking Snooker. Brilliant stuff!
 
Absolutely I though loosing the big names may give us some lower quality matches, but it had been the absolute reverse. As you say, we have seen top quality, flowing attacking Snooker. Brilliant stuff!
And now that Zhao has beaten Hawkins like a rented mule, we will have the battle of the young guns. Hopefully they can keep up the barrages.
 
And now that Zhao has beaten Hawkins like a rented mule, we will have the battle of the young guns. Hopefully they can keep up the barrages.
I hope so.

Not sure if I’m right, but this will be the first ever major tournament to have no players from English speaking countries.

Best of luck to both of them!
 
I hope so.

Not sure if I’m right, but this will be the first ever major tournament to have no players from English speaking countries.

Best of luck to both of them!
would be the first such final yes. maybe also the first player from continental europe to reach a ranking event final?
 
Nobody from the top 16 in the finals?
Murph and his friends are taking it hard....

2B52ADD2-030C-4ACD-8192-E4C2FE48F90C.jpeg
 
Zhao was clinical against Hawkins; amazing stuff. Breaks of 74, 78, 78, 78, 81, and 100 to win 6-1. His cue action is so pure. Really excited for he final tonight (in my time zone).
 
Interestingly, I don’t think money is an issue at all.

But your comments suggest you have misunderstood what he said. He didn’t complain about losing, or who played better or worse. He complained that they have changed a well established system for this season, and that it’s not fair to players that earned their tour card through traditional means. Other pros/ex-pros (except Ronnie, who doesn’t give a shit) have basically said what’s the point of having a series of processes and criteria for being able top play in pro events if they then ignore all that and allow amateurs to join the pro events anyway.

By the way, he has spoken quite a bit on this issue since his first comments, with quite a bit of clarification, and with the support of a lot of pundits and players, people who know him well. That’s not always the case when players say something contentious. Ronnie often times has been criticized by pros and pundits for things he’s said, as have other players. I think in this case, they all know that he’s a gent and has been a really good ambassador for snooker for most his professional career. He’s even allowed them to make fun of him for his comments as he’s been working commentary since his loss, and he’s taken it all in a good sport and accepted a lot of the criticism he got.

I just don’t think he deserves a lot of the hate he’s getting for it. He really isn’t a sore loser. He always conducts himself with professionalism. His timing was shit, and he should have kept his comments out of the media (or maybe he shouldn’t have, apparently snooker has been on the back page of the English papers all week because of what he said), but he’s a decent dude who let his mouth run. If you want to see a sore loser, check out some of Gary Wilson’s post loss interviews.

To re-iterate:

I'm not convinced anyone misunderstood what he said.

What he meant may well be a different thing of course.
 
Zhao was clinical against Hawkins; amazing stuff. Breaks of 74, 78, 78, 78, 81, and 100 to win 6-1. His cue action is so pure. Really excited for he final tonight (in my time zone).
the kid is brilliant. i like his aggressive and fast style
 
Murph is under some new pressure...He’s down 2-3 to Ng in the Scottish.
Ng was gifted with a pro ticket

0B366908-5BF1-4457-805A-00A6EA38012B.jpeg
 
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