 Murphy akatanga kusvika kumatanho ekupedzisira emutambo wepamusoro-soro pa2002 World Championship, yakaitirwa kuCrucible Theatre, kwaakarasikirwa ne410 kuna Stephen Hendry mumutambo wekutanga. Mumwaka wa2002-03, akasvika kumatanho ekupedzisira eScottish Open, kwaakakundwa na3-5 naDrew Henry mumutambo wekutanga, uye World Championship, apo akarasikirwa ne910 naKen Doherty pamutambo wokupedzisira wevatema mumutambo wokutanga. 