Shaun Murphy has pulled out of this week’s Shanghai Masters because of “personal reasons”, it has been announced.

World Snooker released a statement earlier today stating the former world champion would not be competing in the event – which has become the most lucrative invitational tournament in snooker history with a total of £750,000 in prize money up for grabs.

No concrete details about his decision not to enter have yet been revealed.

Shaun Murphy. Picture by Monique Limbos

It means Stuart Bingham will now receive a bye into the quarter-final stages after he completed a comfortable first round win on the opening day of the event.

A statement from World Snooker reads: “Shaun Murphy has withdrawn from this week’s Shanghai Masters due to personal reasons.

“Murphy was due to play Stuart Bingham, who won his first round match against Fan Zhengyi 6-0. However, Bingham will now receive a bye.”

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