SHAUN MURPHY pulled what snooker fans are calling the "best shot ever" out of his hat at the Welsh Open.
The aptly named Magician wowed with a stunning effort against Pang Junxu.
Murphy, 40, reached the Welsh Open final with a 6-3 victory over the Chinese star.
And one of the standout moments came in the very opening frame, which the World Snooker Tour posted online.
With Murphy snookered, the final red teetered on the edge of the right middle pocket.
But as the black was blocking a clear shot, the world No11 had to get creative.
Read More In Sport
O’Sullivan slammed by Wells for remarks that may damage his mental health
1-2-Free: Win £100 in CASH if you correctly predict three scores with Ladbrokes
He somehow hit the cue ball right on the edge of the bottom corner right-pocket, sending it careering down to the other end of the table.
It then bounced off the top cushion, and rolled back down the table to nudge the final red into the right middle pocket.
Murphy himself approved of the effort, turning to the crowd and joking: "That was pretty good, wasn't it?"
And fans on social media were left equally as stunned.
Most read in Other Sports
Tributes pour in as Winter Olympic star Duncan Pugh dies suddenly aged just 48
Fans in hysterics as Price wears EAR DEFENDERS to block boos but still loses
Darts star Jamie Hughes warned by ref in 'swearing row' during Hendriks clash
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
One lauded on Twitter: "This has got to be one of the best shots ever seen."
Anther gushed: "Best shot ever……"
A third added: "He is a magician indeed."
And a fourth wrote: "He is certainly [a] Magician and maybe best shot of all time."
Murphy then insisted after the match that he meant the shot.
He said, via the Mirror: "It was absolutely purposeful.
"I had an idea the cue ball could rattle, it could only shoot the cue ball up that way and I knew if it went up to the top cushion it would have that spin on it and it might check back up and come back for the red.
"It looked outrageous but I did play it… and I got it!"
Murphy takes on Robert Milkins in Sunday's final.
Source: Read Full Article