Shaun Murphy. Picture by Monique Limbos

SHAUN Murphy has said his preparation for this year’s UK Championship has been the best it has ever been.

Murphy successfully won back to back European Tour titles on Sunday (November 23) after beating Robert Milkins 4-0 in the final which included a superb 147 break in the second frame.

And on Thursday (November 27), the world number 7 will begin his bid to win the UK Championship for a second time when he takes on James Wattana at York’s Barbican Theatre.

With two minor ranking titles to his name already this season, Murphy hopes he can add another major to his trophy cabinet and repeat his triumph in 2008 when he lifted the prestigious trophy after a 10-9 win over Marco Fu.

On his official website, Murphy said: “Enough has been written about this event over the years and everyone knows how important the BBC majors are to us players.

“Anything but a win leaves you disappointed but of course there can only be one winner so 127 of us will leave York scratching our heads.

“All I can say is that I’ll certainly go as well prepared for it as I’ve ever been, and with more practising this week to come, my match against James Wattana on Thursday night should definitely be a cracker.”

Murphy, who had threatened to hit a maximum several times before he eventually did on the final day of the Ruhr Open, said the break was one of his best feelings as a snooker player

“Every ball was a pressure shot but this time they all went in and my celebration showed how much it meant to me,” he said.

“The reaction from the crowd was unbelievable…one of the best experiences of my snooker life to date and thank you to everyone that was there and made it special.”