Shaun Murphy on a ‘mission’ to win German Masters snooker with trophy named after close pal who heartbreakingly died.

Shaun Murphy on a ‘mission’ to win German Masters snooker with trophy named after close pal who heartbreakingly died.

 

 

 

Shaun Murphy insists he is on a personal mission at the 2026 German Masters, determined to finally capture the one ranking title that has eluded him — and to do it with a deeper meaning than ever before. The Berlin event’s iconic Brandon Parker Trophy carries a connection that goes far beyond sport for the 43-year-old former world champion.

Murphy, nicknamed “The Magician” for his clinical cue action and tactical acumen, has progressed to the German Masters final after a dominant semi-final victory over Neil Robertson, winning 6-1 in Berlin’s famous Tempodrom arena. In doing so he dismantled one of snooker’s most decorated players to keep alive his hopes of lifting the tournament’s crown.

But while his clinical snooker this week has grabbed headlines, Murphy’s motivation stretches well beyond ranking points or prize money. The event’s trophy is named in memory of Brandon Parker, his friend, former manager, and one of the central figures in bringing the German Masters to its current venue. Parker died in 2020 after a battle with cancer, and the trophy was renamed in his honour soon after, a recognition of his huge contribution to snooker in Germany.

“It would mean so much to take home the Brandon Parker Trophy,” Murphy said, speaking candidly about the emotional weight attached to the event. “I get emotional thinking about Brandon all the time… this wouldn’t just be another win, it would be for him.”

Murphy’s relationship with Parker went back years, with the promoter a guiding force behind the German event long before it became one of the sport’s most vibrant stops on the professional calendar. The Tempodrom, with its one-table set-up and raucous crowds, has grown into one of snooker’s most electric arenas — a place Murphy says ranks alongside the Crucible or Alexandra Palace in atmosphere.

Yet despite the weight of history, personal connections, and a title missing from his long list of achievements, Murphy remains grounded about the task ahead.

“It’s one of the few events I haven’t won in my career,” he said, reflecting on his past near-misses — including a runner-up finish in Berlin in 2015. “I’ve come here on a bit of a mission… every win feels special, but this one carries a bit more weight.”

Murphy’s route to the final hasn’t come without its challenges. Earlier in the week he posted heavy victories, including a 5-1 dismantling of world No. 2 Kyren Wilson and a whitewash over Mark Allen — showcasing sharp scoring and break-building.

Across those matches, Murphy combined precision break-building with calm tactical nous — registering multiple century breaks and demonstrating the class that carried him to the World Championship title in 2005. It’s a performance that suggests he is not just contending for the trophy, but genuinely capable of lifting it.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final against World No. 1 Judd Trump, Murphy stressed that while emotion and personal meaning are driving him, his focus remains firmly on execution.

“I’ll just concentrate on the snooker,” he added. “If I can play like I’ve been playing this week, I know I’ve got a real chance.”

For Murphy, the German Masters isn’t just another event on the calendar — it’s the chance to honour a friend and perhaps write one of the most poignant chapters of his distinguished career.