WATCH NOW: Shaun Murphy interview after Masters triumph
The 42-year-old has opened up, just two months after winning the Masters
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Masters champion Shaun Murphy has proposed four major rule changes to transform snooker.
The 42-year-old, who claimed the Masters title in January, wants to revolutionise the sport with changes he believes could make it more entertaining.
Murphy, who recently launched a YouTube channel teaching snooker skills, has been vocal about aspects of the game he thinks are holding it back.
His proposed changes include introducing a spotted cue ball, eliminating the foul and miss rule, implementing a shot clock and restricting toilet breaks.
Shaun Murphy has proposed four major rule changes to transform snooker as the World Championship creeps closer
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Murphy has been using a spotted ball in his YouTube tutorials to help viewers see exactly where he hits the cue ball.
He believes the World Snooker Tour should adopt this feature in tournament play.
"You guys are loving seeing the spin, how the spin manipulates the cue ball and what it's actually doing," Murphy explained.
"Snooker, currently, is the only table sport and cue sport that doesn't use one of these. They are using it in billiards, they're using it in nine-ball, they are using it in everything."
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Shaun Murphy won the Masters back in January
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Murphy's second proposal targets the foul and miss rule, which he believes gives players an unfair advantage.
"I just find it so weird that we have a rule in the game that allows players to have a sighter," he said.
"In my opinion, the miss rule needs to be taken out of the game altogether. I don't like the rule at all."
Back in 2020, Murphy suggested an alternative approach on social media: "Instead, I'd give ball in hand after any foul."
He believes the current rule unfairly benefits players when they're trying to escape from snookers.
The Magician has long advocated for introducing a shot clock to speed up play.
"I'd bring in a shot clock. And I've been saying this for 20 years, so I'm super-consistent on this," said the world No10.
Murphy has been critical of the slow tempo adopted by some of his fellow professionals.
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He clashed with Mark Allen in December over the issue.
The proposed shot clock would prevent matches from being dragged out unnecessarily.
Murphy believes this change could make snooker more entertaining for spectators.
The veteran's fourth proposal addresses what he describes as an "epidemic" of toilet breaks in the sport.
Shaun Murphy wants less toilet breaks, branding them an 'epidemic' in snooker
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"Toilet breaks. We have to talk about the epidemic of toilet breaks that are spoiling snooker action," Murphy stated.
"It is now getting ridiculous, guys. It is getting totally out of hand."
The former world champion believes many players use toilet breaks as a tactical ploy.
"Most of these exits from the arena have got nothing to do with players needing to go for a wee. It's good old-fashioned gamesmanship," he said.