SPLITTING MAD
Murphy warns rebels: It’s one way or the other
SHAUN MURPHY has told snooker’s top stars they “can’t have their cake and eat it” amid talks of a breakaway tour.
Offers are on the table, understood to be in the region of £350,000, for a number of the sport’s biggest names.
Former world champion Judd Trump revealed he turned down an approach.
And 2005 winner Murphy, who was dumped out 13-9 by ‘chalk-gate’ rival Stephen Maguire in a fiery last-16 bout, suggested the World Snooker Tour should “employ” players to fend off competition.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are set to receive loyalty payments from the PGA Tour.
And eighth seed Murphy said: “I’d like to see a situation where players have to declare their allegiance one way or the other.
“They can play on the World Snooker Tour for the Triple Crowns and the history and heritage you saw Judd talk about – or play on a new tour with unknown backers.
“I was pleased to see Judd nail his colours to the mast. How long does this pot of money last? It’s a case of, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’
“Like golfers, we are independent tradespeople and maybe should be paid retainers like the golfers are.
“Players want the independence to play where they want, when they want. I’m not sure you can have your cake and eat it.”
Golf has been torn apart by the introduction of LIV, with top names missing from big tournaments.
They are, however, allowed to enter the four Majors as they are independent from the PGA Tour.
But Murphy does not want to see rebels competing for snooker’s prized possessions – World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.
“I wouldn’t like a situation where players can go off and come back to play in these Triple Crown events,” he added.
But qualifier Maguire, a two-time Crucible semi-finalist, issued a comeand-get-me plea to Far East financiers after beating Murphy.
The Scot (top right) said: “I’ve not been approached but my door’s always open.”
And he admitted Murphy’s multiple fist pumps helped fire him up, adding: “It did. I’ll be honest with you, he made a mistake there.
“When the fist pump came out, I thought, ‘You’re having it!’”